House Bill 5919 of 2026, introduced by Representative Brad Paquette, would create a "learner-first district" and amend sections 4 and 5 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.4 and 380.5). The legislature's page does not describe what the district would involve. The bill was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, which reported it with a recommendation and a substitute (H-1). It has now been referred to second reading in the House. A House Fiscal Agency analysis of the substitute is dated August 25, 2026. Families who want the full text and analysis can find them on the Michigan Legislature's website.
Senate Bill 989 of 2026, introduced by Sen. Dayna Polehanki, modifies the interim teaching certification process by amending section 1531i of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1531i). The Senate passed it 38-0 and the House passed it 108-0. Governor Gretchen Whitmer approved it on July 21, 2026, and it was filed the same day as Public Act 24 of 2026, with immediate effect. The legislative page does not describe the specific changes to the certification process. For families across Michigan, the law is now in effect.
Four major-party candidates and one Libertarian are running for two open at-large seats on the Michigan State Board of Education, which will help guide education policy for the state's 1.4 million public school students over the next eight years. WDET spoke with Judith Pritchett (D, incumbent), Terrence Collins (R), Bree Moeggenberg (R), Tiffany Tilley (D, incumbent) and Charles Essner (L) about their priorities. Topics include academic progress, literacy, chronic absenteeism, teacher shortages, school discipline, class sizes, and how school funding should be handled. Voters decide on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026.
Michigan's candidates for governor have different plans for school funding. Republican John James wants to cut district overhead to pay for skilled trades and arts education, and he would immediately join the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program. That program gives a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to
,700 for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, which can help families pay for private school tuition and tutoring. Democrat Jocelyn Benson, Michigan's Secretary of State, says the program fails to show it would improve education and calls it a reckless use of money. Benson proposes free early education for 3- and 4-year-olds, a $60,000 base teacher salary, and continued weighted funding. The next governor will inherit a per-pupil grant of
0,300 for 2027, a record high, though the House Fiscal Agency says it is 2.9% below 2019 after adjusting for inflation.
Michigan's Department of Education has proposed removing a "stay put" provision that lets it require a child to remain in their current classroom or specialized program while it investigates a special education state complaint. The department says the option has been invoked only once in the 47-year history of the state complaint process and that the change aligns with federal law. Advocates, including Heather Eckner of the Autism Alliance of Michigan, warn that moving students could cost them instructional time and lead to regression, and they want the state to keep the protection. The department says it will consider the more than 200 public comments it has received before making a final decision. A first statewide listening session of the state's new special education committee is planned for Saginaw on Nov. 9.
Michigan families now have a new online guide to help them understand their school options. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has launched a resource at mackinac.org/schools that covers Schools of Choice, charter schools, homeschooling, private schools, microschools and hybrid programs. It explains what Michigan law allows, offers a school finder tool to locate options nearby, and highlights ways choices could expand in the future. Jarrett Skorup, the Mackinac Center's vice president for marketing and communications, said the tool "sums up parental options in law" and shows how to use what is available today. The article notes that constitutional restrictions keep Michigan from offering many private school choice programs found in neighboring Indiana and Ohio.
Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James have both pledged to tackle chronic absenteeism, a problem that has received little attention in the governor's race. In the previous school year, about 27% of Michigan K-12 students were chronically absent, meaning they missed 10% of school days or more, and the rate reached 60% in Detroit Public Schools Community District. Benson promises a statewide absenteeism strategy with local implementation plans. James cites Indiana's new truancy law as a model and criticized the Michigan Department of Education's goal of about 26% for 2031-32 as too low. Education experts say there is no one-size-fits-all solution, but they agree the issue deserves more attention.
The Michigan Senate has adopted Senate Resolution 142, sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Coldwater, which proclaims Oct. 13, 2026, as Homeschool Day in Michigan. Lindsey said parents are already teachers and that children's education is best when parents are directly involved. He pointed to Michigan law recognizing parents' natural, fundamental right to direct their children's education, and tied the resolution to the nation's 250th anniversary. He also thanked homeschool families for their work as educators, community leaders and advocates.
Some education advocates in Michigan urged Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday not to opt the state into a new federal tax credit for donations to scholarship programs. Starting next year, people can qualify for a credit of up to
,700 for donating to pre-approved K-12 scholarship programs, and families must be at or below 300% of the area's median gross income to receive scholarships. State Board of Education president Pamela Pugh and the Michigan Education Association argue that the money would likely flow mostly to private schools and could weaken public schools. Whitmer says she is waiting for full guidance from the U.S. Treasury before deciding. Republican John James supports opting in, while Democrat Jocelyn Benson is skeptical of the program's design.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, speaking in Sterling Heights on Aug. 28, 2026, urged Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to opt Michigan into a federal tax credit program. Under the program, taxpayers can make tax-deductible donations to public or private school entities and receive a credit of up to
,700, which can fund scholarships and services like tutoring. About 30 states have opted in, and the program begins in 2027. The State Board of Education passed a non-binding resolution against it in May, and the Michigan Department of Education backed that stance, while supporters say the program offers families more school choice. McMahon also noted that Michigan is not among six states that have joined a federal waiver reducing reporting requirements.
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