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Michigan education officials outline $87 million formula grant, $10 million literacy competition and vendor-ranking timeline
Summary
The Michigan Department of Education told the House Appropriations Subcommittee that it will publish a committee-ranked list of approved literacy series, professional development and tools in early June and open applications for an $87,000,000 formula grant (Section 35 MS); a separate $10,000,000 competitive grant (35 N) will follow.
The Michigan Department of Education told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and the Department of Education that it expects to publish a committee-curated ranking list of literacy materials and open applications for an $87,000,000 formula grant known in the meeting as Section 35 MS, with awards planned for October and an accompanying $10,000,000 competitive Reading Excellence and Advancing District Innovation Competition (35 N).
Dr. Sue Carnell, chief deputy superintendent at the Michigan Department of Education, said the law creates “a Committee for Literacy Achievement that will critically evaluate” three categories—literacy series and materials, literacy professional development, and literacy tools and services—and that the committee “will create and maintain a ranking list” districts can review before applying for grant funds.
Why it matters: the formula grant is designed to let local education agencies select materials and services from a state-reviewed list; the competitive grant provides startup funds and awards to districts with demonstrated impact. MDE officials said the process is intended to align purchases with the “science of reading” research and reduce the variation in materials districts currently use.
Key details provided by MDE officials: - Funding and type: Section 35 MS is an $87,000,000 formula grant for districts and LEAs; 35 N is a $10,000,000 competitive grant to support district innovation and scale promising approaches. - Timeline: the Committee application process ran in November–December; study and vendor review occurred January–May; MDE anticipates publishing the ranking list in early June (Committee comments in the hearing named June 2 as the target); district application webinars will follow; review of applications is planned for August–September; awards are planned for October. - Eligibility and use: districts may apply for items on the ranking list; MDE noted districts that purchased materials after Oct. 1, 2024, remain eligible provided the items are on the published list. - Review process: MDE said vendors were required to submit proposals and participate in vendor webinars; evaluations consider evidence and research of impact and look at the demographics and settings in which materials were previously used.
MDE presenters at the subcommittee—Denisha Raul Smith (literacy unit manager, office of educational support), Dr. Jen Sailor (assistant director, office of educational support), and Dr. Kim St. Martin (director, myMTSS TA Center)—told members that Public Act 146 focuses on in‑service teacher supports and Public Act 147 focuses on pre‑service teacher preparation, both building on Read by Grade 3.
Committee scope and guardrails: MDE staff emphasized that the initial published list will reflect only those vendors that submitted materials meeting the stated criteria, and that the list may grow over time as vendors provide additional evidence. “So we see that over time, the list, if it starts off with 5, then it might grow to 10, then it might grow to 20,” an MDE official said.
What MDE is asking of districts: once the ranking list is published, districts will review items in the three categories, select those that best meet local needs, and apply for funding. MDE said it will provide webinars to guide districts through the application process.
What the subcommittee asked for: members pressed for the number of approved assessments or curricula currently on any existing lists; MDE said it would provide more precise counts and pointed lawmakers to the committee’s upcoming public materials and the published evaluation criteria on the department’s website.
Discussion vs. decisions: the hearing recorded committee direction and a published timeline from MDE but no formal legislative action or vote on these grants during the meeting.
Ending: MDE officials asked legislators to monitor the published criteria and to expect the Committee for Literacy Achievement’s ranking list and application materials in early June, with awards scheduled for October.
