Michigan education chief reports gains in graduation, CTE and AP participation; seeks targeted funding

Dr. Michael Rice, state superintendent of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), told the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid that the state has recorded historic highs on several education metrics but needs targeted legislative funding to sustain and expand progress.

Rice spoke at a subcommittee meeting presentation attended by Sue Carnell, chief deputy superintendent, and House Fiscal Agency analyst Noel Benson. Rice highlighted improvements in graduation rates, career and technical education (CTE) participation and completion, Advanced Placement (AP) access and results, and adults holding postsecondary credentials, while identifying early literacy, teacher shortages and special education funding gaps as continuing priorities.

Why this matters: Rice said gains on some long‑term goals could be lost without new recurring investments targeted to classroom devices and equipment, early literacy materials and supports for students’ mental health and school safety. He and department staff asked the subcommittee to consider executive budget recommendations and to convert some one‑time funding into recurring appropriations.

Rice summarized results tied to the department’s Top 10 strategic education plan. He said Michigan’s 2024 four‑year graduation rate rose to a historic high (reported in testimony as roughly 82–83 percent, with five‑ and six‑year rates around 85 percent). Postsecondary credential attainment among adults was reported at 51.8 percent, short of the governor’s 60 by 2030 target but the highest point in state history, Rice said.

On secondary programming, Rice…