After a year of studying Michigan's K-12 education system, Youth Policy Lab's report for the Michigan Department of Education on K-12 education governance in the state was released in July. Led by Brian Jacob and co-PIs Sarah Cohodes and Stephanie Leiser, YPL, and partners at the University of Michigan Center for Local, State and Urban Policy and Education Policy Initiative, this independent study used a blend of quantitative and qualitative methods to explore four topics related to education governance: (1) the distribution of authority across state entities and between state and local actors, (2) school district consolidation, (3) school choice, and (4) education finance. The big takeaway: Michigan's current system of state-level educational governance is broken, and leaders should be working toward boosting coherence, coordination and connection between the state and all of its local and regional school districts. Our research points to critical reforms that together could transform Michigan's educational landscape:
- AUTHORITY: Provide the governor greater authority to shape K-12 education policy and restructure the State Board of Education. Michigan should move toward a system in which the governor has greater authority while, at the same time, maintaining some guardrails to prevent partisan politics from undermining educational outcomes.
- AUTHORITY: Increase capacity at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). The state should increase the capacity of MDE and other state education entities to provide guidance and support to local districts.
- AUTHORITY: Restructure ISDs to play a larger and more standardized role in Michigan's education system. The large number of school districts in Michigan complicates communication and coordination between state officials and local education leaders. ISDs can bridge the divide between MDE and local districts.
- AUTHORITY: Develop and implement a coordinated and well-funded state-level approach to improving academic performance in key areas such as early literacy and numeracy. Michigan should follow the lead of several other states that have mounted successful state-led initiatives to improve student performance in literacy and numeracy.
- CONSOLIDATION: Provide support and incentives for local districts to realize cost savings through service sharing. Research suggests that consolidation of small school districts rarely leads to substantial cost savings, but service sharing among districts offers meaningful benefits.
- SCHOOL CHOICE: Fine-tune the current system of school choice so that it works better for all students. While charter schools and the inter-district schools of choice in Michigan are broadly popular and appear to be working well for many students, there are many ways to increase the likelihood that the system can benefit all students and LEAs.
- FINANCE: Ensure adequate funding and reduce funding disparities in key areas. There is substantial evidence that school spending positively impacts academic achievement and attainment. Michigan must invest in its schools, adequately and with equity, if the state is to achieve better educational outcomes.
- FINANCE: Reduce administrative burden on districts associated with funding. The state should lessen the administrative burden on local districts and MDE by reducing its reliance on categorical funding.
- FINANCE: Invest in teachers. The state could implement several measures to attract and retain high-quality teachers to better serve Michigan's children.