Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bipartisan education budget for fiscal year 2024 that makes the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history, ensures all public school students get free breakfast and lunch, and takes the first step toward free pre-K for all 4-year-olds.
Senate Bill 173 will improve student success through tutoring, before and after school programming, literacy support; and prioritizes mental health resources so students succeed in the classroom.
“Every Michigan child deserves a chance to pursue their potential and build a bright future. This historic education budget will make that possible,” said Governor Whitmer. “This budget puts students first and supports parents by expanding access to free pre-K, providing free breakfast and lunch to all public school students, and improving higher education. Additionally, the budget makes Michigan one of the lowest-cost states to become a teacher, with tuition-free training, student loan repayment, and stipends for those who are completing their student teaching. I am so grateful to the new leadership in the legislature for getting this done. Let’s work together to help anyone ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
“This historic education budget reaffirms and strengthens our investments in students, educators, and families,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “With monumental investments in out-of-school programs, free breakfast and lunch, and the first steps towards Pre-K for all, this budget will help more students get the resources they need to reach their potential. It will make a difference for students in every corner of our state—including my own kids. I am proud of how this budget delivers for Michiganders, and I will keep working alongside Governor Whitmer to help future generations live out bright futures right here in Michigan.”
- $611 million to increase per-pupil funding by 5%, an additional $458 per student, for a total of $9,608 per-pupil. Per-pupil funding is up 22% since the Governor took office.
- $450 million deposit into a new rainy day fund for schools, setting aside resources for future needs and shoring up the long-term financial stability of the state’s public education system.
- $370 million to support teachers, including continued support for the MI Future Educator Fellowship (which provides a tuition free path for college students to become certified teachers) and funds to retain and develop existing teachers through mentoring programs.
- $328 million for mental health and school safety.
- $254.6 million to expand free pre-K for up to 5,600 kids, working towards Pre-K for All by the end of the Governor’s second term, saving families $10,000 a year and putting kids on the path to a brighter future.
- $204.5 million increase, for a total of $952 million, in funding for academically at-risk, economically disadvantaged students.
- $160 million to provide all 1.4 million public school students free breakfast and lunch.
- $150 million for individualized tutoring or academic support through the MI Kids Back on Track program.
- $140.3 million to continue expanded support for special education students, providing a full foundation allowance plus required cost reimbursements for each student.
- $125 million to fund matching grants for school districts to modernize their bus fleet by switching over to electric vehicles.
- $94.4 million for literacy-related programs and activities in Detroit’s public schools.
- $25.5 million to help students reach their full academic potential, including expansion of existing payments for literacy grants and literacy coaches.
- $25 million supporting new math intervention programs.
- $25 million for additional supports for vocational education and career and technical education equipment upgrades.
- $13.3 million to provide a 50% increase in funding for English language learners.
Higher Education & Workforce Development
- A 5% ongoing increase for university and community college operations.
- $112 million in Infrastructure, Technology, Equipment Maintenance, and Safety (ITEMS) funding to assist community colleges and universities improve existing facilities, infrastructure, technology, and campus security.
- $50 million additional investment for the ongoing costs of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, lowering costs by thousands for students, bringing the FY24 investment to $300 million.
- $10 million to community colleges and public universities for critical incident mapping to help with campus safety.
- Up to $10 million annually to market the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, to promote lower costs for college degrees and credentials.
- $10 million to support adult postsecondary completions.
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