Districts began the school year without clear or stable state funding as Michigan lawmakers remain at an impasse over the budget.
Hope Network’s Michigan Education Corps., EdTrust-Midwest and the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity hosted a regional community conversation in Grand Rapids with educational partners serving Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties.
The event is part of a statewide series to discuss consequences of the stalled budget particularly for students in underserved communities, those with disabilities and English learners.
EdTrust-Midwest Director of Government Affairs Jeff Cobb.
“Over 50% of students are from low-income backgrounds. I mean, that's an astonishing number when you think about that. And it's not just in urban areas; it's in rural areas, suburban areas, it's in small towns, villages, all across the state. And a lot of it is concentrated -heavily concentrated- in certain pockets.”
The discussions highlight differences in the House and Senate education budget proposals.
Cobb notes Michigan is a top 10 state for per pupil foundation allowance, the amount per student each district receives.
“But we are not funding students with the greatest needs. And so, while we rank high in a foundation allowance, we rank really low, in the bottom ten, for funding students from low-income backgrounds and funding English learners.”
Organizers also shared strategies for advocating with lawmakers as budget talks continue.
For a weekly dose of news right to your inbox, sign up for the WGVU newsletter.
