The Office of the Governor of the State of Michigan

08/25/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/25/2026 08:32

Governor Whitmer Celebrates Districts Leading on Science of Reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 25, 2026

Governor Whitmer Celebrates Districts Leading on Science of Reading

Seventeen districts set goal to jumpstart training all elementary educators in the science of reading building on record enrollment in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling training.

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko in recognizing 17 districts that have set bold goals to train all elementary educators in the science of reading and complete Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, also known as LETRS training, in anticipation of the requirement to train all elementary reading teachers by 2031.

"Every kid deserves the best opportunity to become a strong reader and writer," said Governor Whitmer. "I applaud these districts for their commitment to helping every child read. They're building on the progress we've made on literacy, including making the science of reading the standard in Michigan schools, screening every student for dyslexia, and quadrupling the number of literacy coaches across the state. I'm committed to getting every teacher the training and tools they need to help every student reach their full potential. Thank you to these superintendents and educators for stepping up for our kids. Together, we can make sure that every child reads."

Public Act 26 of 2026 requires all K-5 reading teachers to be trained in the science of reading by the 2031-2032 school year. The Michigan Department of Education is developing a statewide implementation plan now that will include input from local, regional, and state partners. Currently, the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) is an approved comprehensive professional learning designed to provide early childhood and elementary educators and administrators with deep knowledge to be literacy and language experts in the science of reading. LETRS teaches the skills needed to master the fundamentals of reading and writing instruction-phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Interested educators can enroll in LETRS Training here.

"I am excited to partner with local school districts, the State Board of Education, Governor Whitmer and her team, the Legislature, intermediate school districts, and educators across Michigan as we put Students First by ensuring every child has access to high quality, evidence-based reading instruction," said State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. "By investing in high quality professional learning through the Science of Reading, we are equipping educators with the knowledge and tools they need to improve literacy achievement. Continued collaboration will be essential as we work together to ensure every child reads. Literacy is the foundation for success in school, future careers and life, and every Michigan student deserves the opportunity to become a confident and successful reader."

More than 7,600 educators have participated in LETRS, and 5,600 have completed the training. A growing number of districts are participating in LETRS districtwide and receiving new support through a bipartisan statewide investment and the Michigan Department of Education's Michigan Leaders District Success Partnership. Developed with feedback from educators and superintendents, the Partnership helps districts align the training to their existing professional development calendar, and access real-time implementation supports and ongoing coaching.

The following districts have applied and been approved to join the Partnership:

  • Battle Creek Public Schools (Calhoun ISD)
  • Berkley Schools (Oakland Schools)
  • Buchanan Community Schools (Berrien RESA)
  • Clarenceville School District (Oakland Schools)
  • Comstock Public Schools (Kalamazoo ISD)
  • Crestwood School District (Wayne RESA)
  • Dearborn Public Schools (Wayne RESA)
  • Farwell Area Schools (Clare-Gladwin RESD)
  • Grand Rapids Public Schools (Kent ISD)
  • Hazel Park Schools (Oakland Schools)
  • Kearsley Community Schools (Genesee ISD)
  • Madison District Public Schools (Oakland Schools)
  • Mt. Pleasant Public Schools (Gratiot-Isabella RESD)
  • Reed City Area Public Schools (Mecosta-Osceola ISD)
  • American Montessori Academy (Wayne RESA)
  • Crossroads Charter Academy (Mecosta-Osceola ISD)
  • South Canton Scholars Charter Academy (Wayne RESA)

These districts join early adopters such as Waterford Public Schools, Woodhaven-Brownstown School District, and Kent City Community Schools. Districts interested in joining the Partnership can sign up now.

"Literacy has been a cornerstone of Battle Creek Public Schools' transformation for years, strengthened by strategic partnerships and an unwavering belief that every child can become a powerful reader. The LETRS Leaders District Success Partnership will take that commitment to the next level by deepening our educators' expertise and creating lasting, systemwide change," said Dr. Kim Carter, superintendent, Battle Creek Public Schools. "We are proud to help lead Michigan toward a future where every child reads, thrives, and has access to limitless possibilities."

"I'm proud to continue to invest in our staff through the Michigan Department of Education and Lexia's LETRS District Success Partnership. Expanding LETRS training and investing in our educators means investing in our students to ensure each and every one has access to explicit, evidence-based reading instruction. Berkley Schools has trained all our K-5 teachers in the Science of Reading including cohorts completing the LETRS coursework," said Scott Francis, superintendent, Berkley Schools. "We're excited to continue to embed this high-impact training into the school day and our annual professional learning calendar, ensuring every teacher has equitable access to this transformative literacy instructional practice. Teaching a child to read is one of the most important things we do. When students become strong readers, they're better equipped to learn, grow, and succeed in every subject."

"At Buchanan Community Schools, Goal 1 of our strategic plan commits us to ensuring every educator uses evidence-based instructional practices that drive real student growth. Joining the LETRS Leaders District Success Partnership is a direct investment in that goal, giving our elementary teachers the science of learning strategies and tools they need to help every child read with confidence," said Patricia Robinson, superintendent, Buchanan Community Schools. "We're proud to partner with the State of Michigan on the Every Child Reads initiative, and this work reflects exactly the kind of aligned professional learning our strategic plan calls for."

"At Comstock Public Schools, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident, successful reader. Participating in the LETRS Leaders District Success Partnership strengthens our commitment to equipping educators with the knowledge and tools they need to provide high-quality literacy instruction," said Dr. Jeffrey J. Toenes, superintendent, and Jill Ansel, assistant superintendent, Comstock Public Schools. "We are proud to partner with the Michigan Department of Education and the State of Michigan in advancing the shared goal of ensuring every child can read."

"The Crestwood School District is deeply grateful to be part of the LETRS leaders district success partnership with the Michigan Department of Education. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Governor Whitmer and our legislature for their generous support in funding our literacy initiatives," said Dr. Youssef Mosallam, superintendent, Crestwood School District. "This funding will enable us to expand and enhance our literacy programs, ensuring that our students develop lasting skills that will benefit them throughout their academic journey."

"Dearborn Schools is very excited to partner with the state to offer LETRS training for our staff. We know that strong reading skills are the cornerstone of academic success for students, but being a strong reader is also really a quality of life issue that extends far beyond the classroom," said Mike Esseily, superintendent, Dearborn Public Schools. "This training will give our teachers a deeper understanding of the science of reading and ensure our teachers have the strategies they need to help every child succeed."

"Science of reading instruction is making a measurable difference in Grand Rapids. Schools with LETRS-trained teachers are seeing reading scores improve, and we know this approach works," said Dr. Leadriane Roby, superintendent, Grand Rapids Public Schools. "By expanding LETRS training to more educators, we can accelerate literacy growth and help even more scholars become confident, successful readers."

"At Kearsley, we know that learning to read is one of the most important building blocks for a child's future. This partnership will help give our teachers even more knowledge and support to strengthen reading instruction and help every one of our students on their path to success," said Paul Gaudard, superintendent, Kearsley Community Schools.

"Madison District Public Schools is proud to be among the first districts participating in the LETRS Leaders District Success Partnership. This investment provides districts like ours with access to high-quality literacy training that might otherwise be financially out of reach," said Patricia Perry, superintendent, Madison District Public Schools. "By equipping our teachers with evidence-based reading instruction, we are strengthening student achievement and ensuring every child has the opportunity to become a confident reader. We are deeply grateful to the State of Michigan for investing in our educators and our students. The impact of this partnership will extend far beyond today, creating lasting improvements in teaching, learning, and literacy outcomes for years to come."

"Mount Pleasant Public Schools is proud to partner with the Michigan Department of Education through the LETRS Leaders District Success Partnership. We have already invested in LETRS training for many of our educators, and this partnership allows us to continue building that strong foundation by training all of our K-5 teachers, early childhood staff, and elementary administrators," said Jennifer Verleger, superintendent, Mt. Pleasant Public Schools "By ensuring our educators have a deep understanding of the science of reading and evidence-based literacy instruction, we are strengthening our commitment to helping every child become a confident, successful reader."

"We are thankful for this opportunity. Training a local facilitator in LETRS ensures this literacy expertise will support our staff and students for years to come. That is how we lead the pack!" said Jennifer Goodman, superintendent, Reed City Area Public Schools.

"Reading is the foundation for lifelong learning, and teachers are at the heart of that journey. We are honored to support our educators through intensive professional development that provides evidence-based tools, effective instructional practices, and the support they need to help every child learn to read and thrive" said Andrea Curd, principal, American Montessori Academy.

"Crossroads Charter Academy is honored to have been selected as one of Michigan's LETRS Leader District Partnership districts. We are excited to continue our journey of implementing the Science of Reading in our elementary classrooms. The support provided by Lexia has helped us develop a coherent plan for LETRS professional learning and instructional coaching that will strengthen teachers' reading instruction. We are confident this work will lead to improved literacy outcomes and greater success for our students," said Erich Harmsen, superintendent, Crossroads Charter Academy.

Every Child Reads

Michigan's vision to help Every Child Read is a three-part plan that builds on years of record, bipartisan education investments in students and schools.

  1. Early Starts: Ensures every child has a strong start by partnering with families to help every child meet their milestones. Continues delivering PreK for All to set every kid with a solid academic foundation, ensuring they arrive at kindergarten better prepared to learn.
  2. Proven Methods: Gets evidence-based literacy teaching practices into all Michigan classrooms. Funds additional professional learning for teachers, including $75 million for LETRS training, so all educators use the most effective strategies to improve student outcomes, and expands the use of effective curriculum.
  3. Extra Help: Provides tutoring and small group support in class, over the summer, and in before-and after-school programs to every student who needs it.

###

The Office of the Governor of the State of Michigan published this content on August 25, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 25, 2026 at 14:32 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]