Michigan Launches New Education Office to Transform Literacy and Support Developing Readers
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If you have noticed that the way schools approach reading often feels fragmented or inconsistent, you are not imagining things. You have likely seen your child work incredibly hard only to hit a wall that traditional instruction doesn’t seem to address. That instinct that our children deserve a more unified, evidence-based approach is exactly what is driving a major shift in how Michigan supports its learners.
TL;DR
The Michigan Department of Education has created a new Office of Curriculum and Instruction to unify support for literacy and math.
The office is responsible for implementing Public Acts 146 and 147, which focus on K-12 literacy and dyslexia patterns.
Staff will include specialized consultants in core subjects and reading differences to provide evidence-based guidance to schools.
While the state sets standards, local school boards will continue to choose the specific materials that best serve their students.
Unifying Support for Student Success
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has officially launched the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, a strategic reorganization designed to strengthen support for teaching and learning across the state. This new office brings together experts from previously separate units to create a unified team focused on evidence-based instructional practices. By consolidating these efforts, the MDE aims to ensure that curriculum and instruction in literacy, math, and other core subjects are both visible and accessible to every school district.
Dr. Jen Saylor, formerly the assistant director of the MDE Office of Educational Supports, has been selected as the interim director for this new office. The restructuring reflects a commitment to putting students first by providing educators with the tools and resources they need to help children thrive in literacy and numeracy.
A primary focus of the newly formed office is the implementation of the 2024 Michigan K–12 literacy and dyslexia laws, known as Public Acts 146 and 147. These laws are a significant step forward in ensuring that instruction aligns with how the brain actually learns to process language. The office will provide essential guidance on academic standards and share strategies that have been proven to help those navigating specific reading patterns. For parents who want to start building these foundational skills at home today, the 5-Minute Reading Fix provides a simple, evidence-based way to support decoding skills.
In addition to policy implementation, the team will oversee high school graduation requirements, alternative education, and online learning. This comprehensive approach ensures that as children develop, the system remains flexible enough to meet their evolving needs.
Author Quote"
Strong curriculum and instruction are the foundation of student success. By creating the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, we are better positioned to put Michigan Students First and support them with the tools they need to thrive in literacy, numeracy, and beyond.
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Not applicable - no significant bias identified
Specialized Expertise and Equitable Learning
The Office of Curriculum and Instruction is not just about administration; it is about specialized expertise. The department is staffing consultants who specialize in math, science, social studies, and dyslexia patterns. This move acknowledges that reading differences are not deficits to be managed, but rather variations in processing that require specific, targeted training. Strengthening these root-level processing skills, such as visual processing and pattern recognition, can have a cascade effect, improving a child’s performance across all subjects.
State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko emphasized that the goal is to ensure every student has access to high-quality, equitable learning opportunities. By offering professional learning for educators and high-quality curriculum resources, the MDE is working to eliminate the “wait-to-fail” culture that has historically hindered many bright, capable learners.
Key Takeaways:
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New dedicated office: Michigan launches the Office of Curriculum and Instruction to unify literacy and numeracy efforts across the state.
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Legislative implementation: The office will lead the rollout of 2024 laws designed to support students experiencing dyslexia patterns.
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Evidence-based focus: New specialized consultants will provide guidance on instructional strategies that align with how the brain learns.
The Future of Local Curriculum Leadership
While the MDE develops and recommends academic standards, local school boards retain the authority to select the specific curriculum and instructional materials used in their classrooms. This maintains a balance between rigorous state expectations and the flexibility needed to meet the unique needs of local communities. The new office will act as a lighthouse, providing the evidence-based guidance that local boards need to make informed decisions for their students.
As Michigan moves forward with this reorganization, the focus remains on neuroplasticity and the belief that every child’s brain can change and build new skills when given the right input. This structural change at the state level is a promising sign for families who have long advocated for instruction that recognizes and unleashes the brilliance of every learner.
Author Quote"
Our goal is to ensure every student has access to high-quality, equitable learning opportunities.
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We believe that every child is capable of brilliance, and that the right support can unleash their full potential. For too long, families have had to navigate a system that labels rather than develops, and that manages symptoms rather than building foundational skills. This shift in Michigan is a step toward reclaiming agency from bureaucratic inertia that fails our kids. If you are ready to stop waiting for the system and start building your child’s skills today, the Learning Success All Access Program offers a free trial that includes a personalized Action Plan—and you keep that plan even if you decide the program isn’t the right fit for your family.
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