John James

Michigan’s next governor will inherit a literacy crisis.

In 2015, half of Michigan’s third graders were proficient or better in English language arts. By 2026, that number had fallen to just 38.2% — the lowest in the history of the M-STEP.

That means more than six out of ten third graders aren’t meeting the state’s proficiency standard.

Michigan has already begun implementing science-of-reading reforms and requiring training in evidence-based reading instruction.

So, the next governor won’t be starting from scratch. Instead, the election will help determine if those reforms are carried out, if they’re changed, how schools are funded and who is held accountable for results.

Local 4 talked to Republican John James and Democrat Jocelyn Benson about their plans. We also compared their answers with what they said during the WDIV October 15 gubernatorial debate.

Watch->>Full 2026 Michigan gubernatorial debate hosted by WDIV

“We’re going to focus on the basics. We’re gonna focus on fundamentals, literacy,” James told Local 4.

He wants to emphasize phonics, expand tutoring and reward effective teachers.

“We’re focusing on phonics, the same phonics that are working in places like Mississippi,” James said.

Benson also pointed to Mississippi, where fourth-grade reading scores have improved dramatically.

“We have fierce solutions in science-based reading curriculum, and then examples in other states like Maryland, like Mississippi, on how they move the needle and turn the tide,” Benson said.

But she emphasized the importance of supporting teachers as they implement those methods.

“It was by investing in our educators, providing wraparound support for them, and ensuring they have the coaching and support they need to apply that science-based reading curriculum,” Benson said.

Both candidates agree on using proven reading methods. Their differences become clearer when discussing how to pay for them.

Hear what else James and Benson had to say on:

James argues Michigan already spends enough on education, but too much money is consumed by administrative costs.

“We need to use the money that Michigan’s already given us and use it wisely,” James said. “We need to make sure it’s making it down to the classroom and that we’re having transparency and accountability throughout the system.”

He wants to reduce administrative expenses and redirect funding to teachers, classrooms, tutoring and updated learning materials.

During the debate, James repeated that position.

“We need to first look at accountability and make sure the money that we’re already spending on the system is used well,” he said.

James also supports expanding school choice, including participation in a federal tax-credit scholarship program.

“Education is a basic civil right,” James said during the debate. “I believe that we have to have successful public schools, private schools, charter, home school, because when you give parents a choice, you give children a chance.”

Benson argues Michigan needs a funding system that recognizes some schools and students require more resources than others.

“I think we need replace that with an equitable, weighted funding model,” Benson told Local 4. “That will ensure every school has the resources they need to meet the unique needs of their community, of their students.”

She repeated the proposal during the debate.

“We’re going to do away with the one size fits all funding model and ensure we have weighted, equitable model to meet the unique needs of every school,” Benson said.

Michigan already provides additional funding for certain student needs. Benson wants to expand and restructure that approach.

Her broader education plan includes a $60,000 minimum starting salary for teachers, more professional development and expanded early childhood education.

“Whether it’s improving curriculum, paying our teachers better, providing wraparound services, not just for our students and our teachers, but also our families and communities,” Benson said.

She also wants to invest in education from birth through age six, with the goal of better preparing children before they enter elementary school.

James wants to fundamentally change who oversees Michigan’s education system.

Currently, the elected State Board of Education appoints the state superintendent. James wants the governor to have direct responsibility.

“The people of state of Michigan deserve to have a governor where the buck stops as far as education is concerned,” James said.

During the debate, he proposed a constitutional amendment.

“The accountability has to start from the top, which is why I’m gonna be working on a constitutional amendment to have the Michigan State Board of Education, the state superintendent report to the governor.”

That change would require voter approval.

James also wants an A-through-F school grading system to make performance easier for parents to understand.

When Local 4 asked who deserves blame for Michigan’s declining literacy rates, she focused on helping struggling schools.

“I look about it less as blame and more as support,” Benson said. “How do we identify areas that need more support?”

She wants to use student performance data to identify struggling schools, direct additional resources to them and measure their improvement.

During the debate, Benson described accountability as a shared responsibility.

“We all have a responsibility, every single one of us, teachers, parents, students, and at the state level,” she said.

Both candidates promise improvement. Neither provided a specific four-year third-grade proficiency target in the interviews examined for this story.

If just 38.2% of Michigan third graders are proficient today, what should that number be four years from now?

Michigan voters will choose which candidate’s approach guides the state’s next chapter in education.

But the real test will come in classrooms across Michigan — where children struggling to read today need help long before the next election.

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Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.

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