Problems with Michigan’s Third Grade Reading Law Legislation requiring the state government to recommend students be held back due to low reading scores is being disputed by local school districts. Legislative Update: Parents and guardians of students whose reading levels are deemed to be one grade behind will receive a recommendation letter from the Department of Education for A Focus on Families grade retention. The law allows schools and parents to request exemptions from these recommendations, allowing students to proceed in their education as planned, and it is predicted that many districts will support moving students into the next grade. If you are a parent of a student who has been recommended for grade retention, and you wish to pursue an exemption so that your child advances to the next grade, you should contact your school. Some studies indicate that grade retention increases high school dropout rates, and many are concerned that grade retention is not appropriate in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Retaining students for low reading scores not only places more stress on Dear Neighbor, students as schools work to recover after COVID-19, but it would also cost taxpayers an additional $24 million. The start of the school year is almost upon us! As a mom of two kids, one GOVERNOR’S We should make sure every student receives the tools they need to succeed within their who virtually attended a Public Schools Community District school the grade, and this should be prioritized over spending meant to hold students back a grade entire 2020-21 school year, I know students, educators, administrators, and Student Recovery Council level because of a lower level of reading comprehension. I support legislation that would parents have had a year like no other. The pandemic has drastically changed remove the mandatory retention piece of the third grade reading law, and co-sponsored the way we view teaching and learning, and reminded us how we need to Senate Bill 199, introduced by my colleague, Sen. (D-Livonia), to do just The pandemic pushed students and teachers to operate under extremely stressful improve and ensure equitable access to education for all students in Detroit, that. It’s important that we give families and education professionals the freedom to tailor conditions, taking a toll on the quality of education Michigan schools and teachers were Downriver, and Michigan. a path that is right for each student, and I will always fi ght for what our students and able to provide in the past year. On Feb. 4, 2021, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive teachers need to succeed. Order 2021-02 to create the Student Recovery Advisory Council of Michigan. I’ve included some helpful information in this newsletter, including updates on state funding for K-12 schools, information on how the state is working to Housed within the Department of Technology Management and Budget, the council is Dyslexia Bill Package support students during the 2021-2022 school year, news on Gov. Whitmer’s composed of 29 members from diverse backgrounds appointed by the governor, and In April, Sens. (D–Ann Arbor), Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), Great Start Readiness Program (GRSP) proposals, and resources to aid in has already provided her with “MI Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery” (R-White Lake), and (R-Brighton) introduced legislation to improve child recovery. recommendations to ensure Michigan students have the tools and resources they need literacy rates in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month. I am a proud co-sponsor of these to get back on track. bills that will make a dramatic difference for children with reading challenges. Dyslexia is As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Two Senate District 1 residents are serving on the Student Recovery Advisory much more common than most people think and includes a wide range of warning signs my offi ce. Council of Michigan: beyond getting similar letters mixed up. Working for you, • Vic Michaels is the assistant superintendent of student services and athletics for The four bills address factors that impact literacy for children, specifi cally pertaining to the Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic Schools and director of the Catholic High School screening and treating aspects of dyslexia. They make sure that graduating teachers have League. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Detroit. Mr. training in dyslexia to receive a certifi cate, improve teacher preparation to include required Michaels is appointed to represent school leaders. training to identify and instruct students with dyslexia, establish a dyslexia advisory State Senator Stephanie Chang Box 30036 P.O. MI 48909 Lansing, SC0321 • Angelique N. Peterson-Mayberry is the president of the Detroit Public Schools committee, and require screenings for students in kindergarten through third grade. State Senator, District 1 Community District Board of Education, vice chair of Detroit Youth Sports Commission, This legislation is a powerful step toward making sure every student can read at grade Minority Floor Leader and a member of the Detroit Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors. She holds level, and I look forward to supporting it during the legislative process and hope to see it a Bachelor of Administration from the Detroit College of Business. Mrs. Peterson- delivered to the governor’s desk this term. Mayberry is appointed to represent school leaders. Visit Michigan.gov/StudentRecovery to learn more and view the MI Blueprint report. SenatorStephanieChang.com | Getting Future Students Finding the Best Childcare If your child is too young for free preschool programs or your family is not eligible for GSRP, FAMILY RESOURCES on the Right Track you can learn more about childcare centers and home-based early childhood programs in Countless studies show that children who attend high-quality, center-based childcare, your area by contacting the kind folks at Great Start to Quality. They help families fi nd and pre-kindergarten, or preschool programs tend to have better pre-academic and choose quality childcare programs that meet their children’s needs. The Wayne-Oakland- language skills. They perform better in math and reading in the early grades of Macomb Resource Center serves families in the tri-county area. Healthy Michigan elementary school and have improved outcomes among children in families with Michigan.gov/HealthyMichigan For more information: inequitable education access or low incomes. It is my priority to make sure you are Did you know that healthy eating can help pave the way to academic success? Start the aware of the resources available to ensure success in the classroom. Website: GreatStarttoQuality.org Funding for Education Toll-free: (877) 614-7328 summer off right by planning fun, nutritious meals and snacks full of calcium, iron, and Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Email: [email protected] vitamin C. You can fi nd calcium in milk, yogurt, and leafy green vegetables. Dried fruits, Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Preschool Program (GSRP) provides state-funded chicken, and beans are great sources of iron, and oranges, broccoli, and strawberries This summer, the passed $4.38 billion in coronavirus relief funding preschool at no cost to students’ families. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced a Childcare Assistance are chock full of vitamin C. for K-12 schools in Michigan. $405 million plan to expand GSRP and reach all eligible 4-year-olds statewide. Additionally, Finding and paying for childcare can be tough, especially at the start of the school year. The legislation appropriates the entirety of the federal stimulus money provided to $255 million in federal funding and $150 million in state funding has been proposed to be If you need assistance affording it, the Child Care Fund in your community may be able Parent Coalition Parent Coalition is a network of parents who support each other and families in Wayne Michigan’s School Aid Fund from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Most used over the next three years to support the program. to help. Call Michigan’s Child Care Fund Unit Manager at (517) 335-3919 to determine County. Join the “Wayne Parent Coalition” Facebook Group to connect with local parents, of the money in the bill — $3.35 billion — is from the Elementary and Secondary your eligibility. To fi nd out more about GSRP in Wayne County: discuss local community childhood services and how they are delivered, and help School Emergency Relief III, with another $840.7 million in funds that have not yet been Phone: (734) 334-1577 share information about resources with other parents who might benefi t from knowing appropriated, but that are also included for distribution to school districts. Email: [email protected] Planning for a Bright Future We all know that college is expensive, and tuition prices are expected to continue to rise. about them. Provisions were also made related to summer school and before- and after-school Website: RESA.net Fortunately, the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) can help you plan for you programs to allow students the best opportunity to succeed regardless of circumstance. You can also visit GreatStart.org for information about additional resources available and and your child’s future educational needs. The program is available to anyone — parents, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) School districts could also use local assessments to make determinations of children with to learn more about free programs and events for children in our area. grandparents, family, and friends — and even students themselves! Call Wayne County Health Department the greatest needs along with benchmark data for summer programming. (877) 861-6377 or visit MISaves.com to learn more. Wayne-Health.org/WIC This federal relief funding, combined with more-than-expected state revenues, should set Administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Women, Michigan up to fi nally fund K-12 education in the way it was always intended: With the Infants, and Children (WIC) program has a health and nutrition focus and serves students’ best interests in mind. low- and moderate-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, I’m dedicated to continuing the work necessary to make some of these changes — such and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk. as accessible, affordable childcare and funding for job training programs — permanent. Our state is at its best when everyone has a foundation that supports their success, Detroit Parent Network especially after the diffi culties people endured during the pandemic. Facebook.com/DetroitParentNetwork As always, I’m working hard on behalf of our teachers, administrators, parents, and (313) 263-6480 children to ensure our students have nutritious meals, supportive services to help them Detroit Parent Network is a network of Detroit-area parents working to build and engage thrive, and quality educators who once more are excited to be in well-funded classrooms. parents and others to ensure every child has a champion. State School Aid Fund Budget Update In June, the made history by passing the largest investment ever in our Brilliant Detroit K-12 schools, closing the gap between the lowest- and highest-funded school districts BrilliantDetroit.org for the fi rst time since the funding formula was overhauled in 1994. We also signifi cantly (313) 483-8992 expanded preschool opportunities for eligible 4-year-old children through the Great Start Brilliant Detroit is dedicated to building success in families and neighborhoods with Readiness Program. young children up to age 8 and ensure they have what they need to be ready for school, While there is still plenty of work to do to ensure our children receive a world-class healthy, and stable. They provide programming and year-round support out of Brilliant education, this is an outstanding step toward reducing disparities in our communities. Detroit homes in high-need neighborhoods.