As the new school year approaches, Michigan’s top education official is calling for students to spend more time in the classroom.
State Superintendent Michael F. Rice says recent changes to state law have cut back the number of in-person school days for many students, especially those in grades pre-K through 10. While state law sets a minimum of 180 instructional days, professional development time, virtual learning days, and allowable closures can reduce in-person time to as few as 149 days.
“Michigan students deserve better,” Rice said in a legislative priorities letter sent to lawmakers. He pointed to research from the pandemic showing that students who spent more time learning in person generally did better than those who learned remotely.
Rice is asking lawmakers to roll back changes made in 2019 and 2023 that expanded the number of days counted for professional development and virtual learning. He says older students in 11th and 12th grade should still have flexibility for off-campus learning opportunities, such as internships, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment, but younger students should be in the classroom more often.
“It’s not all about time, but it is in part about time,” Rice said, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face instruction for younger learners.
