Five years after Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered the closure of all K-12 school buildings in Michigan to curb the spread of COVID-19, the state’s education system continues to grapple with the pandemic’s lingering effects. As of the 2023-24 school year, more than half of Michigan third graders scored below proficient in state reading tests, and public school enrollment has declined by approximately 5.4% since the 2019-20 school year, according to state figures.
The closures, which began on March 12, 2020, prompted a swift shift to remote learning, a transition that exposed existing inequities in access to technology and reliable internet service. While federal pandemic aid initially helped to mitigate some of the challenges, those funds have now been exhausted, leaving school districts with fewer resources to address ongoing learning loss and student needs.
Superintendents across the state are reporting increased rates of chronic absenteeism. Nearly 30% of Michigan students are not consistently attending school, a figure that raises concerns about academic recovery and student well-being. Alena Zachery-Ross, Superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools, noted that while COVID-19 restrictions have largely been lifted, the virus continues to circulate, requiring ongoing communication with parents about updated guidance. “COVID numbers are on the rise, so it’s critical that we do take those added steps of having hygiene, of telling people of the modern guidance, that students can come to school, that we don’t need them to stay home the full five days either,” Zachery-Ross said.
The current approach emphasizes personal responsibility rather than strict protocols. Vaccinations are still encouraged, but universities have dropped earlier mandates. Free COVID-19 tests will be available later this month, but testing is no longer widespread, making it difficult to accurately assess the prevalence of the virus. Wastewater detection systems suggest that COVID-19 rates are higher in neighboring states.
Experts emphasize the need for a focus on high-quality curriculum, early literacy intervention, and addressing the social-emotional needs of students for long-term recovery. Although, the long-term impact of the pandemic on Michigan’s students remains uncertain, and state education leaders are continuing to evaluate recovery strategies as the state marks five years since the initial school closures. The Michigan Department of Education is currently providing information and guidance to schools, but has not announced any new large-scale funding initiatives to address the ongoing challenges.
