State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz this week introduced a plan focused on helping more Michigan students learn to read confidently and succeed in the classroom, ensuring they get the support and instruction they need at an early age to stay on track.

“Reading is the foundation for everything a child learns, and it’s hard to watch so many students struggle to keep up,” Schmaltz said. “I want to make sure every child gets the kind of instruction that truly helps them understand and grow, while also giving teachers the support they’ve been asking for.”

Michigan’s reading outcomes have declined in recent years, reflecting the challenges many students are facing in the classroom. The state now ranks 44th in education, and third-grade reading proficiency has fallen from more than 50% in 2015 to 38.9% in 2025.

“It’s heartbreaking to think about how quickly a child’s confidence can fade when they’re struggling,” Schmaltz said. “We owe it to our kids to step in earlier and make sure they’re being taught in a way that works for them.”

House Bills 5819-5821 would ensure that, by July 1, 2026, all reading instruction and curriculum materials in Michigan schools are based on the science of reading, an evidence-based approach focused on phonics, sound recognition, and foundational skills. The bills would also ensure teacher preparation programs incorporate these methods.

Michigan has already invested in LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training aligned with the science of reading, and literacy coaches are required to complete that training by October 2026. However, participation among teachers remains limited, with about 5,000 of the more than 100,000 teachers in Michigan completing the training and another 7,000 currently working through it.

During the 2022-23 school year, elementary teachers in Michigan were using 444 different English Language Arts curriculum resources, many of which had never been formally vetted. The plan introduced this week would require schools to use state-approved, research-based materials, while limiting the number of approved curricula to improve consistency and quality.

Improving literacy has been a priority for Rep. Schmaltz for many years. She previously introduced House Bill 5081 to better support students with dyslexia by ensuring every school has at least one teacher trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, a structured, multisensory method proven to help struggling readers who have dyslexia.

“Kids with dyslexia are incredibly bright and capable, but too often they don’t get the support they need,” Schmaltz said. “We need to help all students feel seen, supported, and confident in their ability to learn. Every child needs to learn to read.”