Michigan spent big to fix schools. The result: Worse scores and plenty of blame

Ron French, Mike Wilkinson & Isabel Lohman:

  • In 10 years, Michigan boosted K-12 education spending more than 41 states
  • The result: More staffers and worse test scores. ‘We invest more per pupil than most states and achieve bottom 10 results’
  • There’s plenty of blame, and one consensus: Michigan needs a wake-up call to fix crisis

Frustrated by declining academic performance in state schools, education leaders in 2015 announced an audacious goal: make Michigan a top 10 education state by 2025.

“If 10 years from now we’re not a top 10 performing state, then shame on all of us,” said then-State Superintendent Brian Whiston. 


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