LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Mark Huizenga this week called for action in response to the release of the 2024 Nation’s Report Card, which revealed that 75% of Michigan’s fourth graders and 76% of eighth graders are unable to read at grade level.
“The fact that only 25% of Michigan’s fourth grade students are proficient in reading is appalling,” said Huizenga, R-Walker. “It is impossible to overstate the importance of ensuring our children get an effective education that provides them the tools they need to succeed. They are our future, and the education system is failing them.”
According to The Detroit News, Michigan’s fourth grade reading ranking fell from 21st in 2022 to 32nd in 2024. In eighth grade reading, the state’s ranking dropped from 10th in 2022 to 19th in 2024.
The National Assessment of Education Progress report also determined that 63% of fourth graders and 76% of eighth graders are not proficient in math.
“This is a crisis that jeopardizes the future of our children and our entire state,” Huizenga said. “This report shows that we still have work to do for our students. We must act to turn this around by looking at proven solutions that will help struggling students, like raising academic standards, restoring the A-F grading scale so parents can see how their child’s school is performing, providing scholarships and other after-school assistance, and attracting the best teachers by rewarding those who are most effective.”
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