Breaking down literacy funding in state budget

It’s been a week since the Michigan Legislature passed the state budget, and for parents and educators, there is a lot to know about what’s in it for schools. Michigan schools are getting a 2.5% funding increase per student. That means a school gets $10,300 per student, compared to $10,500 last year. All of that is part of the nearly $23 billion budget, and the focus: Literacy. Michigan currently ranks 44th in the country in reading. The new budget is investing serious money to fix that—more funding for teacher training in reading methods, hiring literacy coaches, and expanding tutoring for students who are behind. So, who gets what? The budget is working on a weighted system. That means some students get even more funding because they need more support. That includes students from low-income families, students with disabilities, and English language learners. Free school meals for all students also continue. And for teachers, some districts will be able to give pay increases. There is also more money for after-school programs, early childhood education, and career and technical education. Lori Higgins with Chalkbeat Detroit, a non-profit news organization that covers education, joined Local 4 Live to talk more about this.