Michigan is changing its early reading instruction with a $123 million investment to replicate Mississippi's literacy gains. As school districts statewide adapt to new training mandates, teachers and parents are preparing for a major shift in how children learn to read.
What Happened
Michigan has struggled for years to improve reading scores. The state ranks 44th nationally on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) fourth-grade reading exam, according to the Chalkbeat analysis. To reverse this decline, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an education budget committing more than $123 million to train teachers in the "science of reading." This method focuses on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Under Public Act 26 of 2026, Michigan requires all K-5 teachers who instruct, support, or oversee reading to complete state-funded training by the start of the 2031-32 school year, according to the Michigan Department of Education. By training educators through approved programs like Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS), the state aims to establish a standard curriculum across local school districts.
The Bigger Picture
Mississippi provides a model for this transition. In 2013, Mississippi ranked 49th in fourth-grade reading, but by 2022, it rose to 21st. As detailed by the ADD Resource Center, Mississippi achieved this by combining explicit teacher training with school-based literacy coaches and early student screening.
Mississippi’s strategy also relied on a policy that held back third graders who did not pass a reading test. Holding students back remains controversial. However, The 74 reports that younger students can benefit when retention is paired with intense tutoring and support.
Implementing these changes requires time and schedule adjustments. According to instructional guides from Threads of Reading, schools must protect a daily block of 90 to 120 minutes for core literacy, plus another 30 to 45 minutes for foundational skills. This structure prevents a common issue where students decode words in early grades but struggle with comprehension by second or third grade, as documented by EdNC.
Schools adopting these new programs often see a temporary drop in test scores. A case study from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt shows that while schools typically face a two-year dip when changing literacy models, this decline can be avoided if teachers receive multi-year training before launching the new curriculum.
What This Means for Families
For families, this shift means early reading homework and classroom routines will change. Balanced literacy methods often encouraged children to guess unfamiliar words using pictures or context clues. Instead, students will learn through explicit phonics lessons. While digital tools can support reading progress, we previously reported that early literacy apps work best when paired with teacher-led instruction rather than as standalone programs.
Local school districts are also updating their materials. The Michigan Department of Education is reviewing and releasing approved lists of vetted Tier 1 literacy curricula and screening tools so that classrooms use evidence-aligned resources.
What You Can Do
- Ask your child's teacher how they incorporate structured phonics and phonemic awareness into daily lessons, rather than word guessing.
- Check if your school's local learning materials align with the Michigan Department of Education's approved provider lists.
- Practice decoding at home by encouraging your child to sound out unfamiliar words syllable-by-syllable, reinforcing school lessons.