State Rep. Angela Witwer (Delta Township) speaking at the 2024-25 education budget signing on July 23, 2024.
LANSING, Mich. Oct. 10, 2024 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three historic education bills into law today, investing in school safety and supporting student literacy. With the signing of the school aid supplemental, House Bill 5503, schools are receiving a total of $150 million to invest in the safety and mental health of Michigan’s kids.
A bill package strengthening the effectiveness of literacy instruction and intervention in public schools also became law today. Senate Bill 567 mandates pre-screenings for characteristics of dyslexia and other reading challenges, and SB 568 requires the Michigan Department of Education to research and only approve teaching programs that include curricula proven to support students who experience difficulties with achieving literacy, including dyslexia.
After the bill signings, state Rep. Angela Witwer (Delta Township), chair of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement:
“Today is a historic day for our schools. The school aid supplemental will directly help school systems across the state fund safety and mental health infrastructure, empowering schools to deliver a quality education to our kids that meets their unique needs. My colleagues and I are also beyond proud of the literacy laws signed into law today. Kids with dyslexia and similar reading challenges need more support, and these laws ensure our public schools can support every child’s journey to literacy. Achieving literacy is essential for not only academic achievement, but lifelong success — this is a huge victory for our kids.”
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