Michigan Students Can't Wait: Addressing Deep Educational Inequities in 2026

Michigan's educational landscape faces significant challenges, with many students encountering substantial barriers to academic success. A new report released by EdTrust-Midwest, titled Going for Gold: Setting the Standard for Michigan Achievement, brings these disparities into sharp focus, urging state leaders to take decisive action. The report underscores that despite some progress and investments, Michigan continues to rank low nationally in key academic indicators, and opportunities remain unevenly distributed across student populations.

EdTrust-Midwest is an advocacy organization dedicated to closing opportunity and achievement gaps for underserved students, particularly Black and Latino/a students and those from low-income backgrounds. Their work involves conducting research and advocating for policies that promote educational equity. This latest report serves as a comprehensive analysis of the state's education system, identifying areas where Michigan falls short in ensuring all students can reach their full potential.

Understanding the Scope of the Challenge

The Going for Gold report conducted extensive, equity-centered analyses across five crucial indicators: academic outcomes, college readiness and success, student well-being, opportunity to learn, and fair funding. According to EdTrust-Midwest, their researchers found that Michigan's overall educational outcomes remain too low, and progress is uneven, especially for students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and English learners.

Key findings from the report illustrate the depth of these inequities:

• Academic Achievement: Michigan ranks 44th nationally in fourth-grade reading, with only 38.2% of third graders proficient. In eighth-grade math, the state is near the bottom, with only 33.3% of seventh graders proficient. These outcomes were notably lower for students of color, students with disabilities, students from low-income backgrounds, and English learners.
• College Readiness: Dual enrollment participation, which offers students the benefits of taking college coursework in high school, remains below 10% statewide. The report notes that participation was three percentage points higher in less diverse districts compared to those serving more students of color.
• Student Supports: Chronic absenteeism is a persistent issue, and Michigan schools average approximately 565 students per counselor, more than double the recommended ratio. This disparity is even more pronounced in high-poverty schools, where the average student-to-counselor ratio is 339 students higher.
• Teacher Diversity: The racial diversity of Michigan's teacher workforce does not reflect its student population. Students of color constitute 38% of the student body, while teachers of color make up only 13% of the workforce. While this gap has narrowed slightly since 2021, significant disparities persist in districts with majority students of color and higher concentrations of poverty.
• School Funding: Districts serving the highest concentrations of students from low-income backgrounds received approximately $1,728 less per pupil in state and local revenue than districts serving the lowest concentrations. These funding gaps are primarily driven by local funding disparities. Additionally, Michigan faces a reported $1.74 billion gap in special education funding compared to research-based recommendations.

These findings, as presented by EdTrust-Midwest, paint a clear picture of an education system where a student's background can significantly influence their opportunities and outcomes. Brian L. Love, EdTrust-Midwest state director, emphasized this point, stating, "We cannot settle for an education system where a student’s background or ZIP code determines their opportunities."

Progress Amidst Challenges

Despite the significant challenges highlighted, the EdTrust-Midwest report also acknowledges areas of progress. The organization points to improvements in high school graduation rates, increased participation in advanced coursework, efforts to enhance college affordability, and recent investments in student supports and fair funding initiatives. These positive developments suggest that with focused effort, further improvements are achievable.

For students navigating these academic challenges, free resources like COSMIQ, a voice-driven AI tutor, can offer personalized support. It's available free forever for every K-12 student, providing an accessible tool to help bridge learning gaps. Additionally, students can find free practice materials and exam preparation guides at COSMIQ's practice hub to supplement their classroom learning.

A Call to Action for Michigan Leaders

As Michigan prepares for a new governor and legislature, EdTrust-Midwest is advocating for a bold state policy agenda designed to achieve a "gold standard" education for all students. This agenda calls on state leaders to:

• Protect and expand targeted school funding to ensure resources reach the students who need them most.
• Strengthen evidence-based reading instruction through enhanced educator training, high-quality materials, and comprehensive student supports.
• Build supportive schools by investing in educator recruitment, retention, and diversity, and by improving access to counselors.
• Expand access to advanced coursework and dual enrollment opportunities.
• Sustain college affordability investments and strengthen public reporting on student outcomes and school spending to ensure transparency and accountability.

Love expressed optimism about Michigan's potential, noting, "Michigan has an opportunity to become a national leader in educational excellence and equity." He acknowledged the bipartisan commitment shown by leaders in increasing investments and improving early literacy, but stressed the need for further action. "Now is the time to set a gold standard for Michigan’s students — and make the transformational investments and policy changes necessary to get us there."

What This Means for Students, Parents, and Teachers

For parents, this report can be a guide to understanding the systemic issues affecting their children's education. It highlights the importance of advocating for equitable funding and resources in their local districts. For teachers, the findings underscore the critical need for continued professional development, diverse hiring practices, and adequate support staff to address student well-being and academic needs. For students, especially those in historically underserved communities, the report emphasizes that their challenges are often rooted in systemic inequities, and that efforts are being made to advocate for better opportunities and resources. Understanding these systemic factors can empower students to seek out available support and advocate for their own educational journey.

The EdTrust-Midwest report serves as a vital call to action, reminding all stakeholders that addressing deep-seated educational inequities is not just an aspiration but an urgent necessity for the future of Michigan's students.