Michigan’s schools should be preparing every student for success by focusing on academic excellence, parental involvement, and practical opportunities after graduation. Too many students are leaving school without strong reading, writing, and math skills despite record levels of education spending. My administration will focus on results, restore accountability, and ensure that education dollars are reaching students and classrooms.
Return to the Fundamentals: Academic Success
Academic achievement must once again become the central mission of our schools. Students deserve a strong foundation in reading, writing, mathematics, science, history, and civics.
My administration will promote proven instructional methods, including phonics-based reading instruction and early intervention for struggling readers, while giving local schools the flexibility to meet the needs of their communities.
Put Parents Back in Charge
Parents know their children better than government bureaucrats. Families deserve meaningful choices in how and where their children are educated.
I support maintaining and expanding educational options, including Michigan’s charter schools, while ensuring parents have clear, transparent information about school performance so they can make informed decisions in the best interests of their unique children.
Prepare Students for Real Life & Good Jobs
Not every student needs to attend a four-year university to be successful. Michigan should value college preparation, skilled trades, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, military service, and direct entry into the workforce equally.
Our schools should provide students with multiple pathways to success in life while ensuring every graduate possesses the literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills necessary to thrive.
Support Teachers by Letting Them Teach
Great teachers deserve support, not unnecessary bureaucracy.
My administration will work to restore classroom discipline, reduce administrative burdens, and allow educators to focus on teaching instead of paperwork. Eliminating Michigan’s income tax through the 4747 Plan will also put more money directly into the pockets of teachers and working families across our state.
Accountability for Results
Michigan taxpayers invest billions of dollars each year in public education. We owe them measurable results.
My administration will establish a stable, transparent accountability system that clearly measures student achievement and gives parents understandable information about school performance. We will review how education dollars are spent to ensure funding reaches students, teachers, and classrooms, not unnecessary bureaucracy.
Education policy should be judged by one standard: whether Michigan’s children are learning more and graduating better prepared for the opportunities and challenges of adult life.