Kicking off National School Choice Week

Lansing, MI – Yesterday marked the start of National School Choice Week. Thousands of parents, teachers, and administrators will come together this week at events across the country to advocate for parental choice in education and inform parents of the options that put student success first.

With Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s lack of leadership in education, school choice is more important than ever. During her administration, Michigan students have fallen further and further behind. The latest M-STEP test results show that less than 40% of Michigan third graders can read proficiently. Instead of empowering parents and students, Whitmer spent the last seven years watering down teacher evaluations, throwing out A-F grading, and ending the third-grade reading requirement.

While Lansing Democrats were fighting against education freedom, Republicans were fighting to protect it. House and Senate Republicans worked to fully fund cyber charter schools and ensure that all schools can access funding for school safety and mental health.

“Gretchen Whitmer’s agenda is not the solution to Michigan’s literacy crisis,” said Gabe Butzke, a spokesperson for Michigan Forward Network. “The solution is empowering parents and students to choose what’s best for them. Whitmer and her allies in Lansing should get out of their way.”