LANSING, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – More money per student, universal free lunch for K-12 schools and expanded eligibility for Michigan’s pre-K programs are just three of the things included in this year’s education budget allocation in our state
It’s a historic budget celebrated by educators and advocates alike.
“When you’re really talking about equitable resources for every student, then you have to take ownership of what the data says and you have to provide money. So that this zip code doesn’t dictate educational quality,” said Daveda Colbert, who serves as the superintendent. . for Wayne RESA.
In total, Michigan schools are seeking a budget of $24 billion, which includes a 5 percent increase in per-student funding, or $9,608.
“Now, the research says we should be at $10,421. But then again, when we started this program, we were at $7,000. So there are definitely big incremental moves toward adequate funding for our students.” , Colbert said.
In addition, schools with high numbers of economically at-risk students will have access to another $952 million and an additional $160 million to go toward universal free lunch for K-12 students.
“When kids participate in school meals, we see better engagement in learning, we see better outcomes, we see higher graduation rates and lower discipline problems,” said Bernadette Downey, associate director of No Kid Hungry.
Data from the Brookings Institute found that healthy lunches contribute to a 40% increase in test scores.
“So the more kids we can get involved in the school meal program, that means there’s less stigma for kids who may be food insecure at home, that the more kids involved, the better the school. a result,” he said.
But Downey tells CBS News Detroit the job isn’t done. Downey says advocates would like to see this program become a permanent fixture in Michigan schools.
“We want to make sure that students and families have the confidence that when they show up to school, not just next school year, that moving forward, this is something that, like textbooks and school buses, can expect that as part of the educational experience,” he said.
