Dear [Your Elected Official],

Michigan kids can’t wait. Our state is facing an education crisis that demands immediate
action. Today, 43 states outperform Michigan in 4th grade reading, and Michigan’s
ranking has fallen dramatically — from 16th in the nation to 44th. At the same time, 87%
of Michigan schools perform below the national average in math, and nearly 1 in 4
students is chronically absent.

These outcomes are unacceptable and the consequences are real. Children who are
not reading proficiently by 4th grade are significantly more likely to struggle
academically, fall behind in future learning, and face fewer opportunities later in life.

Michigan’s workforce, economy, and future competitiveness depend on whether we act
now to reverse these trends.

Michigan kids can’t wait for incremental change or more excuses.

I urge you to support immediate action to strengthen Michigan’s reading standards and
improve literacy outcomes for all students by:

• Implementing evidence-based literacy instruction grounded in the science of reading

• Ensuring struggling readers are identified and supported early
  
  
• Providing educators with the tools and training needed to improve reading achievement

• Prioritizing policies that deliver measurable academic progress for Michigan students

Michigan families, employers, and communities are counting on state leaders to act with
urgency. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue, this is a Michigan issue and we
need a Michigan solution.

Make improving literacy and educational achievement a top priority, because Michigan
kids can’t wait.