Michigan elementary school teachers will be required to take literacy training by the 2031-2032 school year, under signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Tuesday.
The law requires K-5 instructors who teach reading or language arts to receive training and requires the state Department of Education to select at least two vendors each year to provide the training.
鈥淲e all want results for our kids,鈥� Whitmer said at an event in Southfield promoting the new education budget. 鈥淎nd none of us is patient about it, nor should we be. We want those results fast. But here鈥檚 what we know: literacy is a marathon, it鈥檚 not a miracle. The steps we鈥檙e taking now are the first steps down a road ahead. It will take time, but if we give every child a strong early start, using proven methods, offering extra help, we can ensure that every child can read.鈥�
The 鈥榮cience of reading鈥� refers to research about how the brain learns to read. Sometimes the term is used as a shorthand for an emphasis on phonics, which is one aspect of learning to read.
Whitmer has said literacy is her , and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called for changes to how Michigan handles literacy. Just 38.9% of Michigan , according to state tests, and the state ranks 44th for fourth grade reading on national assessments.
Districts were already required to teach in 鈥渆vidence-based鈥� ways and screen students for traits of dyslexia beginning with the 2027-28 school year, under laws passed in 2024. Districts must also affirm that teachers have received information about evidence-based literacy practices and related topics.
But the law signed Tuesday takes the requirements a step further by prescribing what type of training is required of K-5 teachers.
The law does not name an education vendor to provide the training, but lawmakers, state superintendent Glenn Maleyko, Whitmer and House Speaker Matt Hall have named , offered by vendor Lexia, in public appearances or news releases.
鈥淭he budget guarantees that not some, not most, but all reading teachers in Michigan complete training to teach students the science of reading methods like phonics,鈥� said Whitmer.
Whitmer also signed , which requires the state superintendent to only approve teacher preparation programs and grant teacher certificates when certain literacy requirements have been met.
Michigan also provides funding for literacy , vetted curricula and for for students who are struggling in class. The state has also , which has prompted some public school districts to accommodate more 4-year-olds.
How long will this training take?
The state has already provided $44 million toward LETRS training for those who want to take it. have encouraged or mandated LETRS training, and the majority have made changes to reading policies.
鈥淭oday, we celebrate for the students of Michigan!鈥� said state Rep. Nancy DeBoer, R-Holland in a statement. DeBoer sponsored the training requirement legislation.
鈥淟earning to Read will unlock their futures,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e have come together to support our families, our dedicated educators, and our innovative business community. Michigan is worth it!鈥�
The law requires teachers to receive the training but only if the Legislature provides 鈥渟ufficient鈥� funding.
Although the law will require that the state name two vendors, the new education includes another $75 million specifically for LETRS training.
Many teachers across the state have already taken LETRS training. As of July 1, 5,684 educators are in training and 7,460 have completed the training, according to the Michigan Department of Education.
But the training typically takes two years. Some schools offer stipends for teachers to take the training or time during the day for the teacher to train while a substitute teacher watches their classroom.
Michigan teachers with an would not be required to take the training.
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