National Report Examines Michigan’s Investment in Early Childhood Education

A highly anticipated report will be released tomorrow highlighting Michigan’s preschool system, taking an up-close examination of where the state is, from an enrollment perspective, how it is financed, and the quality. The 22nd year of the report is issued by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). It is the only national report of its kind to examine preschool systems in 43 states and Washington, D.C.

While Michigan continues to invest heavily in early childhood education, this latest report will make clear whether or not that investment is paying off and how Michigan stacks up compared to other states across the nation. It’s not about the numbers—it’s about whether or not Michigan is getting its youngest learners ready to succeed later on.

As reported by NIEER, the report is designed to look at progress in the long term. “It allows us to see which states are making gains and which need to make up more ground,” a representative from the organization explained. With over two decades’ worth of information, this report provides a credible window into state-funded preschool expansion, particularly during a post-pandemic time when early learning has become that much more essential.

One of the key voices behind the research, Allison Friedman Krause, an associate research professor, highlighted some encouraging signs in the national picture. “We’re seeing preschool enrollment finally bounce back,” she noted, pointing out that national figures are now exceeding where they stood before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted so much of early education. That’s a major milestone, considering how drastically the pandemic affected school systems and family access to early learning programs.

But recovery has not appeared to be even across all of the states. Some are still striving to regain lost ground, and others, such as Michigan, are obviously headed in the right direction. The report must be leaning towards giving credit to Michigan for making some progress, particularly in targeted investment in pre-K programs that is incredibly reflective of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s agenda in education.

Leading the charge in Michigan’s initiative is the state’s four-year-old flagship preschool program, the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). Michigan has invested millions of dollars in GSRP over the past few years in an effort to expand access and enhance the quality of services to children throughout the state. Scholars maintain that sort of investment is exactly what’s required to enable schools to thrive in the long term.

“Michigan’s been leading in a lot of ways,” Krause said. “We’re really hopeful to see them continue on that path.”

The NIEER report does not simply examine the number of children enrolled or dollars spent. It also rates states against 10 specific quality standards, including teacher training, class size, and staff-to-child ratios. These measures are intended to give a better idea of what children are actually receiving in their preschool classrooms not just if they have a seat, but if that seat is in a setting supporting strong early learning.

So why should this report be important? To policymakers, educators, and parents, it is a must-read blueprint for knowing where early childhood education is succeeding and where it needs assistance. To Michigan, the report’s recommendations can inform future investments, policy initiatives, and program development.

It also sends a message that is universal regarding the function of preschool in determining the educational and social development of children. The literature has all been pointing to the fact that it is the quality preschool that results in the improved lives they have later, from a greater comprehension of reading and mathematics to earlier graduation rates and less contact with the crime system.

With the country still reeling from pandemic-induced learning losses, access to quality data and careful analysis is more crucial than ever. This report provides that and then some.

The full findings will be available tomorrow, and further details can be found on the Mid Michigan Now website. For those interested in the future of Michigan’s education system, this report is worth paying attention to. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about the foundation we’re laying for the next generation.

With Michigan already leading the pack in so many categories, everyone will be on the edge of their seats to see how the state keeps building off of this momentum. Will the investments pay dividends in long-term success for its youngest students? Tomorrow’s report could bring the most definitive answer to date.