Michigan education rating falls to 44th in nation

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) – Michigan's education rating continues to drop, now ranked 44th in the nation according to a recent study.

This comes as both student enrollment and test scores also continue to lag.

The 36th Kids Count Data Book was released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. It looks at economic well-being, education, health, and family and community to come up with an overall ranking for all 50 states.

While Michigan’s overall ranking was 33rd, in three out of the four categories Michigan ranked in the bottom half of all states. Only in the health category did Michigan rank above that, coming in at 22nd in the nation.

The survey found Michigan’s education ranking was 44th overall. It has trended down in recent years, dropping three spots from the last survey.

Under the education rating, the survey looked at four metrics: young children not in school, fourth graders not proficient in reading, eighth graders not proficient in math, and high schoolers not graduating on time. In all but the last category, the survey found that Michigan is doing worse than in the past.

In recent testimony before the state Senate Education Committee, State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice said the state is making progress.

“No one metric defines public education,” he said. “That’s why we have multiple goals of the Top 10 Strategic Education Plan and multiple metrics for goals. In the last few years, Michigan has improved in many areas, some of which are at historic levels.”

Rice also called for more support from the Legislature, stating that more work needs to be done.

Others have pushed back on Rice and the state Board of Education for its continued support of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which it has said helps provide “safe spaces” for students.

“Your job is to teach math and science,” said state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, R-St. Clair, during the committee hearing.

In response to concerns over the state's schools, Republicans have called for a total overhaul of the education system in the state, sending more control back to local districts.

“For years, the state government has wastefully thrown taxpayer dollars at special grant programs and dysfunctional systems instead of funding our students directly,” said Rep. Jaime Greene, R-Richmond. “House Republicans’ budget plan moves us in a completely different direction, with historic investments into kids across the state that local schools can use in the ways that most benefit their students.”

Both sides of the political aisle have called for more spending per student, with the Democrats’ proposal raising the state’s per-student foundation allowance to $10,008. While a $400 raise over the current allowance, Republicans proposed a significantly higher raise to $12,000.

Some say that more spending isn’t the solution though, as enrollment statewide has declined for more than a decade and Michigan’s students consistently lag behind those in other states on standardized testing.

“We don’t need more money,” said Kevin Rinke, a Michigan politician and former Republican gubernatorial candidate. “We need more accountability. No more shiny buildings. No more iPad gimmicks. We fix education with discipline, books, and phonics, not bureaucracy. Michigan doesn’t have a funding problem. It has a leadership problem.”