Michigan lawmakers grilled State Superintendent Michael Rice about low literacy scores

Rice wants mandatory literacy training for teachers

State is offering funds for districts to select new curricula aimed at boosting literacy

As Michigan students continue to struggle with early literacy, State Superintendent Michael Rice was in the hot seat in Lansing on Tuesday and blamed “local control” for lower scores.

Michigan third and fourth grade reading scores continue to be lower than before the pandemic . Just 39.6% of third grade readers are proficient in reading, according to the latest state standardized scores.

Rice testified with State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh, a Democrat from Saginaw, Tuesday at the House Oversight Committee. Lawmakers repeatedly pressed Rice on wh

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