FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2022 Contact: [email protected]
Governor Whitmer Proclaims March 2022 as Reading Month
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today proclaimed March 2022 as Reading Month to celebrate and promote the joys and importance of reading.
“I am proud to declare March 2022 as Reading Month in Michigan. I encourage every Michigander to pick up a book and experience the joy of reading, whether you’re learning something new, returning to an old favorite, or experiencing characters and stories only reading can unlock,” said Governor Whitmer. “Making sure our students have a strong foundation is one of my top priorities. That’s why I tripled the number of literacy coaches in Michigan and made the largest investment in schools in state history—without raising taxes. I look forward to hearing how kids and adults alike celebrate this month of reading!”
“Reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills are critical to success in school and in life,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “In the words of Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, children should see themselves (mirrors) and others (windows) in their books and should be able to enter others’ worlds (sliding glass doors) through their reading. Reading with children every day helps develop children’s reading fluency, interests, vocabulary, knowledge, and ultimately the capacity to navigate their world.”
“Reading is a gift that opens the doors of possibility,” said Michigan Teacher of the Year Leah Porter. “It allows every single person the opportunity to grow, reflect, question, and empathize with situations that are both lived and unfamiliar. As an educator, helping students develop a lifelong love of reading gives them access to unending knowledge, discourse, and connection. Providing students with a variety of books is critical for all students to find stories that help them feel seen and understood. March is Reading Month is a reminder of the power of literature and how one book, held in the right hands can change someone’s life.”
In July 2021, Governor Whitmer signed the School Aid budget into law which included $723 million to eliminate the gap between the minimum and maximum foundation allowance by setting both at $8,700 per pupil, an increase of $589 per pupil from the current year minimum amount and an increase of $171 per pupil from the current year target amount. In addition, intermediate school districts receive a 4% operational funding increase.
In December 2021, the Michigan Legislature passed a supplemental bill that invests nearly $1 billion in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan into Michigan’s families, communities, and small businesses. The investments made to schools include $150 million for COVID school testing to keep kids safe and learning in-person and $10 million to support teacher recruitment, training, development, and retention.
In February 2022, the Michigan Legislature passed a $1.2 billion supplemental bill investing federal resources to keep kids learning in-person and in Michigan’s long-term health care work force.
To view the full proclamation, click here |
Whitmer Proclaims March 2022 as Reading Month
