FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 31, 2023

CONTACT:
Adam Bitely
(202) 689-9266
abitely@martinwaymire.com

Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity applauds effort to reform third grade retention law

LANSING, Mich. – Peter Spadafore, executive director of the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity (The Alliance), issued the following statement today applauding the Senate Education Committee passage of Sen. Dayna Polehanki’s legislation, Senate Bill 12, which would reform Michigan’s third grade retention law:

“We’re encouraged by Sen. Dayna Polehanki’s leadership on this critical issue. As a teacher, Sen. Polehanki knows first-hand that a one-size-fits-all approach to retention is not sound education policy. The decision to retain a student should be made by parents, teachers, and local education professionals, not by heavy-handed state laws that disregard the needs of the student.

“We hope to see swift action on Senate Bill 12 so that Michigan’s teachers can focus on instruction, and not the harmful red-tape of Michigan’s failed third grade retention law.”

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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.