Michigan’s younger students appear to be struggling when it comes to reading.

Statewide test results released in August showed 61.1% of third graders and 57.6% of fourth graders did not pass the annual state assessment, a decline from 2024.

Take a moment to let that sink in: More than half of Michigan’s third and fourth grade students tested in 2025 cannot read at their age-appropriate level.

The results of the 2025 Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, known as M-STEP, showed only 38.9% of third grade students and 42.4% of fourth grade students statewide scored proficient on the state’s English language arts test, down from last year’s scores of 39.6% and 43.3%, respectively.

At least reading scores for fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade students improved slightly, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Education. But the numbers still are disappointing: fifth grade, 44.4% proficient compared with 44% in 2024; sixth and seventh, 38.6% and 39.2% proficient compared with 37.5% and 37.9%, respectively. Only eighth graders had a majority proficient at 65.3%, compared with 64.5% the previous year.

Clearly, more needs to be done.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared March as Reading Month in Michigan and said she remains focused on literacy 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,” Whitmer said in a news release. “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.”

During her first year in office, the Whitmer administration tripled the number of literacy coaches in Michigan schools, the governor claimed in the news release. The top education priority during her final year in office, she said, is to put Michigan on a path to ensure that every child in Michigan reads. Whitmer’s 2027 budget recommendation includes the largest literacy investment in state history.

Every Child Read is a three-part plan that includes —

— Early Starts: Build on work parents already do to 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.

— 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.

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

Today, more than 6,000 educators have been trained in the intensive science of reading program, LETRS. Through the Every Child Reads plan, LETRS training would be offered to all educators. The plan emphasizes proven methods to give teachers the most effective, evidence-based tools to support their students. Every Child Reads would also help schools identify students who need additional support and provide those students expanded learning opportunities in class, after school, before school and over the summer, the news release states.

“We appreciate Governor Whitmer’s focus on literacy and strengthening early learning across Michigan, and public libraries are proud to be longstanding partners in this work,” said Dillon Geshel, executive director, Michigan Library Association. “March is Reading Month is the perfect occasion for families across the state to explore what their local public libraries have to offer. From free access to books, early literacy programs and evidence-based learning resources that help build vocabulary, print awareness, and positive reading habits, public libraries are an early literacy hub for March is Reading Month and beyond.”

March is Reading Month is a commitment to continue working together to help all Michiganders be strong readers, writers and communicators while encouraging a love of discovering literature in Michigan youth, the governor’s news release states. Regular reading that starts in pre-K helps ensure that no child falls behind. Reading strengthens kids’ creativity and builds lifelong literacy. When students read, they can follow their passions through literary works to better understand their own story and the stories around them.

Residents are encouraged to celebrate March is Reading Month by visiting their local library, going to the Michigan Learning Channel or picking up a book for themselves or young readers in their lives.