Subject: Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity lays out FY 2026 budget priorities
MEDIA RELEASE
February 4, 2025
CONTACT
Adam Bitely
202.689.9266
abitely@bellwetherpr.com
Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity lays out FY 2026 budget priorities
LANSING, Mich. – Peter Spadafore, executive director of the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity (The Alliance), issued the following statement today urging Gov. Whitmer and the legislature to prioritize students most in need when developing the FY 2026 state budget:
“Our mission is to advocate for equitable and adequate funding for Michigan’s most vulnerable learners. By adopting an evidence-based funding formula, as outlined in the School Finance Research Collaborative report, Michigan can address inequities and improve student outcomes across the board. Allocating resources to foundational areas, before expanding categorical funding, will ensure that our education system meets the needs of every child.
“Students living in poverty, special education students, English language learners, and the foundation allowance should be prioritized before resources are allocated to additional categorical funding, and lawmakers should work to streamline the number of categoricals to ensure dollars reach the classroom in a timely manner.
“Additionally, we strongly encourage implementing more efficiency in the budget itself. Each year, school administrators and teachers spend extensive time and resources on state grants that could be better directed toward the classroom. The proliferation of lengthy categorical grant applications creates unnecessary administrative burdens for school districts and diverts focus from core educational responsibilities. Simplifying and streamlining funding sources would improve access to resources and reduce bureaucracy.
“We call upon the leadership of the governor and legislature to champion these priorities during the upcoming budget discussions. Michigan’s future depends on the investments we make in our children today. By focusing on foundational funding and simplifying the budget, we can create an education system that offers all students the opportunity to succeed and follows the recommended best practices that numerous studies and research call for.”
Click here to view the letter sent to legislators on the FY 2026 budget priorities.
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The Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity, formerly the Middle Cities Education Association, works to build an equitable foundation for education, where every student in Michigan, regardless of circumstance, is equipped to succeed after graduation. Learn more at mialliance.com.