Gov. Whitmer Proclaims March as Reading Month 

MARQUETTE – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared March as Reading Month in Michigan and highlighted her continued focus on literacy supporting readers through the new Every Child Reads plan announced in her State of the State address. 

“This March, and every month, we are reminded of the crucial role reading plays in our lives,” said Whitmer in a written statement. “Literacy is an ordinary superpower that every child deserves. That’s why we’ve tripled literacy coaches in schools, signed ‘Science of Reading’ legislation to teach phonics in Michigan schools, and proposed the ‘Every Child Reads’ plan, the largest literacy investment in Michigan history. This March, and every day, I encourage every Michigander to visit a local library, show appreciation for teachers and librarians, and read. Let’s keep working together to help every Michigander be a strong reader, writer, and communicator.” 

The governor’s top education priority during her final year in office is to put Michigan on a path to ensure that every child in Michigan reads.

Whitmer will advocate to help Every Child Read with a three-part plan that builds on years of record, bipartisan education investments in students and schools.   

1. Early Starts: build on work parents already to do talk to, sing with, and read their babies stories with free, high-quality preK education. Continue delivering PreK for All to set every kid with a solid academic foundation, ensuring they arrive at kindergarten better prepared to learn.   

2. Proven Methods: get evidence-based, proven literacy teaching practices into all Michigan classrooms. Fund additional professional learning for teachers, including LETRS training, so all educators use the most effective strategies to improve student outcomes, and expand the use of effective curriculum.  

3. Extra Help: provide every student more tutoring and small group support in class, over the summer, and in before- and after-school programs.