Minnesota’s first lady Gwen Walz is campaigning in Michigan for her husband Governor Tim Walz and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Both the Walz’s are former teachers, something that appeals to Democratic State Senator Dayna Polehanki, chair of the Senate Education Committee.
“I’m heartened we have Mrs. Walz and the governor who have walked the talk. They’re not just spewing talking points when it comes to public education. They’ve been in the trenches and know what its like to live by the bell.”
When it comes to education in Michigan, Polehanki says she’s not overly concerned about reading scores dipping slightly in last year’s M-STEP testing of third and fourth graders.
“We’re doing everything right. We’re just still dealing with the effects of Covid because the third and fourth graders who took that test were just learning their letters and learning how to read in preschool and kindergarten when that was interrupted by Covid.”
Math proficiency improved in grades 3-7 for a second year. Going forward she’s concentrated on keeping or expanding current funding for public education, and continuing efforts to make college more affordable through Pell grants and debt reduction programs.
“I want the cost of college education to be addressed and if needed, we need to continue student loan forgiveness programs that have given a lifeline to a lot of college kids out there.”
The Michigan Education Association represents about 120,000 teachers, support professionals and higher-education employees throughout the state.
