Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted on April 9 a new report from Michigan State University’s Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) that shows teachers who receive literacy coaching deliver better instruction in classrooms. The study examined the impact of literacy coaching in 89 Michigan classrooms over three school years, and comes after Whitmer tripled the number of literacy coaches in the state during her first term.
The findings are significant as they suggest targeted investments in teacher training can improve student outcomes. The EPIC report states that its results “provide compelling evidence that Michigan’s investment in early literacy coaching is producing measurable gains in classroom instruction for the teachers who receive it and that instructional change at scale is possible when coaching support is well aligned with research and clearly defined.”
Whitmer said, “We’ve made record investments in training our teachers, and I’m proud to see that it’s working. Literacy coaches give educators the support they need to bring what works to their classroom and develop confident readers and writers. We’re focused on getting every teacher the knowledge and tools they need to help every child build strong literacy skills in Michigan.” She added, “Let’s keep working to expand these opportunities so that Every Child Reads.”
State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko supported expanding coaching efforts: “The Michigan Department of Education agrees with the report’s findings that Michigan should expand literacy coaching for elementary teachers to ensure that Every Child Reads.” He said professional development aligned with scientific reading methods remains a top priority for improving instruction.
EPIC Director Madeline Mavrogordato commented, “At a time when educators and policymakers in our state are keenly focused on helping every child read, it is important to build a state-wide system that supports the use of evidence-based instructional practices.” Tanya S. Wright from EPIC added, “In our study, we found that Michigan teachers who had the opportunity to work with a literacy coach improved their research-aligned literacy instruction compared to teachers who did not receive coaching.”
Whitmer’s proposed 2027 budget includes increased funding for proven strategies such as additional coaches, teacher training programs like LETRS—which has already trained over 6,000 educators—and expanded curriculum support through her Every Child Reads plan.
Kyle Mayer from Ottawa Area ISD said, “Literacy coaches are making a significant difference… When we invest in teachers, we accelerate learning for students.” Eric Hoppstock from Berrien RESA noted ongoing challenges: “These coaches are spread too thin working with many teachers spread across many schools. Continued and expanded investment…is needed to realize strong literacy skills for all students.”
According to the official website, Whitmer’s office provides constituent services including assistance with state agencies according to her office. She leads Michigan’s executive branch overseeing operations statewide according to her office, has served as governor since January 2019 according to her office, passed bipartisan budgets investing in infrastructure, education and health care according to her office, and operates officially out of Lansing according to her office.
