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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStephanie Chang<\/strong> Webpage: StephanieChang.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n he pandemic pushed students and teachers to operate under extremely stressful conditions, taking a toll on the quality of education Michigan schools and teachers were able to provide in the past year. On Feb. 4, 2021, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2021-02 to create the Student Recovery Advisory Council of Michigan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Housed within the Department of Technology Management and Budget, the council is composed of 29 members from diverse backgrounds appointed by the governor, and has already provided her with \u201cMI Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery\u201d recommendations to ensure Michigan students have the tools and resources they need to get back on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two Senate District 1 residents are serving on the Student Recovery Advisory Council of Michigan:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Vic Michaels <\/strong>is the assistant superintendent of student services and athletics for the Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic Schools and director of the Catholic High School League. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Detroit. Mr. Michaels is appointed to represent school leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Angelique N. Peterson-Mayberry <\/strong>is the president of the Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education, vice chair of Detroit Youth Sports Commission, and a member of the Detroit Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors. She holds a Bachelor of Administration from the Detroit College of Business. Mrs. Peterson- Mayberry is appointed to represent school leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visit Michigan.gov\/StudentRecovery <\/a><\/strong>to learn more and view the MI Blueprint report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Problems with Michigan\u2019s Third Grade Reading Law<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Legislation requiring the state government to recommend students be held back due to low reading scores is being disputed by local school districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parents and guardians of students whose reading levels are deemed to be one grade behind will receive a recommendation letter from the Department of Education for grade retention. The law allows schools and parents to request exemptions from these recommendations, allowing students to proceed in their education as planned, and it is predicted that many districts will support moving students into the next grade. If you are a parent of a student who has been recommended for grade retention, and you wish to pursue an exemption so that your child advances to the next grade, you should contact your school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some studies indicate that grade retention increases high school dropout rates, and many are concerned that grade retention is not appropriate in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Retaining students for low reading scores not only places more stress on students as schools work to recover after COVID-19, but it would also cost taxpayers an additional $24 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We should make sure every student receives the tools they need to succeed within their grade, and this should be prioritized over spending meant to hold students back a grade level because of a lower level of reading comprehension. I support legislation that would remove the mandatory retention piece of the third grade reading law, and co-sponsored Senate Bill 199, introduced by my colleague, Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), to do just that. It\u2019s important that we give families and education professionals the freedom to tailor a path that is right for each student, and I will always fight for what our students and teachers need to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dyslexia Bill Package<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Sens. Jeff Irwin (D\u2013Ann Arbor), Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), Jim Runestad (R-White Lake), and Lana Theis (R-Brighton) introduced legislation to improve child literacy rates in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month. I am a proud co-sponsor of these bills that will make a dramatic difference for children with reading challenges. Dyslexia is much more common than most people think and includes a wide range of warning signs beyond getting similar letters mixed up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The four bills address factors that impact literacy for children, specifically pertaining to screening and treating aspects of dyslexia. They make sure that graduating teachers have training in dyslexia to receive a certificate, improve teacher preparation to include required training to identify and instruct students with dyslexia, establish a dyslexia advisory committee, and require screenings for students in kindergarten through third grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This legislation is a powerful step toward making sure every student can read at grade level, and I look forward to supporting it during the legislative process and hope to see it delivered to the governor\u2019s desk this term. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This summer, the Michigan Legislature passed $4.38 billion in coronavirus relief funding for K-12 schools in Michigan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The legislation appropriates the entirety of the federal stimulus money provided to Michigan\u2019s School Aid Fund from President Joe Biden\u2019s American Rescue Plan. Most of the money in the bill \u2014 $3.35 billion \u2014 is from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III, with another $840.7 million in funds that have not yet been appropriated, but that are also included for distribution to school districts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Provisions were also made related to summer school and before- and after-school programs to allow students the best opportunity to succeed regardless of circumstance. School districts could also use local assessments to make determinations of children with the greatest needs along with benchmark data for summer programming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This federal relief funding, combined with more-than-expected state revenues, should set Michigan up to finally fund K-12 education in the way it was always intended: With the students\u2019 best interests in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m dedicated to continuing the work necessary to make some of these changes \u2014 such as accessible, affordable childcare and funding for job training programs \u2014 permanent. Our state is at its best when everyone has a foundation that supports their success, especially after the difficulties people endured during the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As always, I\u2019m working hard on behalf of our teachers, administrators, parents, and children to ensure our students have nutritious meals, supportive services to help them thrive, and quality educators who once more are excited to be in well-funded classrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n State School Aid Fund Budget Update<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In June, the Michigan Senate made history by passing the largest investment ever in our K-12 schools, closing the gap between the lowest- and highest-funded school districts for the first time since the funding formula was overhauled in 1994. We also significantly expanded preschool opportunities for eligible 4-year-old children through the Great Start Readiness Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While there is still plenty of work to do to ensure our children receive a world-class education, this is an outstanding step toward reducing disparities in our communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Countless studies show that children who attend high-quality, center-based childcare, pre-kindergarten, or preschool programs tend to have better pre-academic and language skills. They perform better in math and reading in the early grades of elementary school and have improved outcomes among children in families with inequitable education access or low incomes. It is my priority to make sure you are aware of the resources available to ensure success in the classroom.<\/p>\n<\/div> Great Start Readiness Preschool Program<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Michigan\u2019s Great Start Readiness Preschool Program (GSRP) provides state-funded preschool at no cost to students\u2019 families. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced a $405 million plan to expand GSRP and reach all eligible 4-year-olds statewide. Additionally, $255 million in federal funding and $150 million in state funding has been proposed to be used over the next three years to support the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find out more about GSRP in Wayne County:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Phone: (734) 334-1577 <\/strong>Email: harland@resa.net<\/a> <\/strong>Website: RESA.net<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also visit GreatStart.org<\/a> <\/strong>for information about additional resources available and to learn more about free programs and events for children in our area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your child is too young for free preschool programs or your family is not eligible for GSRP, you can learn more about childcare centers and home-based early childhood programs in your area by contacting the kind folks at Great Start to Quality. They help families find and choose quality childcare programs that meet their children\u2019s needs. The Wayne-Oakland- Macomb Resource Center serves families in the tri-county area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information: Childcare Assistance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding and paying for childcare can be tough, especially at the start of the school year. If you need assistance affording it, the Child Care Fund in your community may be able to help. Call Michigan\u2019s Child Care Fund Unit Manager at (517) 335-3919 <\/strong>to determine your eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Planning for a Bright Future<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We all know that college is expensive, and tuition prices are expected to continue to rise. Fortunately, the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) can help you plan for you and your child\u2019s future educational needs. The program is available to anyone \u2014 parents, grandparents, family, and friends \u2014 and even students themselves! Call (877) 861-6377 <\/strong>or visit MISaves.com<\/a> <\/strong>to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
State Senator
District 1
Minority Floor Leader<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/CHANG-OP-5X7-731x1024.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
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\n\n\n\nStudent Recovery Council<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nGetting Future Students on the Right Track<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nFinding the Best Childcare<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Website: GreatStarttoQuality.org<\/a> <\/strong>Toll-free: (877) 614-7328
<\/strong>Email: GSQWOM@LiveUnitedSEM.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFAMILY RESOURCES<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n