Today marks a major milestone in the pandemic when it comes to education. All Michigan schools have the option of offering in-person learning as of today, March 1. 

In a press conference last week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer shared that 85% of school districts had already reopened. 

According to a report from the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC), 97% of school districts were on track to offer in-person learning by today.

The report shared that the proportion of districts in Michigan planning to offer in-person learning has been increasing steadily each month. 

• February saw the largest increase in districts planning to offer some form of in-person instruction since the start of the 2020-21 academic year, from 64% in January to 83% in February.

• Districts with lower levels of student achievement and attainment pre-pandemic were less likely to plan to provide either in-person or hybrid learning options.

• Districts with a history of low student attendance were almost twice as likely to only offer fully remote instruction.

“It’s clear we need to return to in-person learning as soon as possible,” Whitmer said. “Schools are cornerstones of healthy and vibrant communities.” 

The governor shared in her press conference that the lack of in-person learning inhibits social and emotional development for children resulting in long-term academic consequences.

“Tens of thousands of vulnerable children in Michigan risk falling through the cracks and staying stuck behind unless we make concerted efforts to catch them up,” Whitmer said.

In early February, Governor Whitmer created the Student Recovery Advisory Council to provide guidance and recommendations to ensure that students are prepared to return to in-person learning. 

The council held its first meeting on February 16 and will have its second full council meeting this Friday. 

Throughout the pandemic and e-learning, the Office of Foundation Liaison (OFL) has connected our CMF community with briefings from the state, Michigan Department of Education and the governor’s office. Join us for the next briefing on March 10, COVID-19 Recovery: An Update with Governor Whitmer, for an opportunity to hear from Governor Whitmer and members of her cabinet on priorities, opportunities and concerns for Michigan’s recovery in 2021 and beyond. 

Want more? 

Read the EPIC report

Learn more about the Student Recovery Advisory Council