The Skillman Foundation

Not to break the fourth wall so early, but isn’t that a great line? We have our vice president of communications, Natalie Fotias, to thank for that. You see, as each of you are in whatever state you reside, where you may be reading this, we are in the midst of a moment here in Michigan.

With all the chaos created by massive policy changes, we are often in reaction mode. Trying to protect our communities from the most cruel and harmful changes. Trying to parse the changes to even understand what is happening now and what has been set into motion, but won’t be felt until after the 2026 midterm elections. “What is the latest? What could possibly be happening today?” we ask resignedly as we lift our phones after a blessed break from the news. Headlines shout through our algorithms daily. Proclamations and exclamations. Disaster! Big Win! End of Times! Victory!

While colleges and universities are under attack as “elite” institutions that are bastions of liberal left-wing propaganda, the truth is that colleges and universities are rare spaces where a panoply of ideas is presented. Back in the day when I attended the University of Michigan, I read Aristotle, bell hooks, Adam Smith, John Berger, Rita Dove, Mary Shelley, Milton Friedman, and even made it off the waitlist into Professor Williams coveted Religion 101 class where I was able to read the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Quran in one semester.

What I wouldn’t give to zoom back to those days now. I would raise my hand and ask, “What exactly is the role of the federal government? And the role of the states?” I expect this to be a topic we’d pore over eagerly in class, and then our debate would spill over, up the street to The Brown Jug for a pitcher of $2 beer and greasy, delicious pizza to be shared with all who would come and pull up a chair to add their thoughts.

Pull up a chair and grab a slice and a mug.

All of this points back to wherever you are sitting as you read this. Your state government has never been more important than it is right now. Your state and congressional representatives. Your local county commissioner, mayor, and city council members.

At The Skillman Foundation, we focus on Detroit youth, their power, their dreams, and their potential to design their own destinies.

While seated in Detroit, we truly are invested in young people across the state and globe. We know our destinies are intertwined. And so, we hustle and rock with Detroit youth, and we do it for all youth.

We understand that if we care what the future looks like for our kids—or for any of us—then we must work on redesigning our public education system. This is because the places where young people spend the majority of their hours are inside schools and after-school spaces. If we want to do right by the generations that follow us, we must work with those inside these spaces to shape education policy for the better.

We also know that Detroit’s fate rests on Lansing’s favor. States, after all, are responsible for our education system. Because we share obstacles with those in the U.P., in western Michigan, and more, we know that education updates and upgrades aren’t just about Detroit—they are about what’s best for the entirety of the state.

So, Michigan is the playing field where all must be paying attention right now. And in terms of education, there has never been as widespread of a focus on system-wide change as we are currently witnessing.

Bridge Michigan recently released a provocative series analyzing Michigan schools over a 10-year period. People who work in schools and on education advocacy are hotly debating what it brings to light and where greater understanding and deeper analysis are needed. We are thankful that Bridge Michigan has dedicated time and attention to this. (We also recommend that all subscribe to Chalkbeat Detroit, which covers these topics in depth all year round.)

The headlines are:

Myth-busting the single-solution mindset. Our issues aren’t solely about the structure of our education system, although it isn’t helping. It isn’t just about money, although we do need to invest more dollars strategically to get where we need to go. It isn’t just about the party, despite finger-pointing. Blue, red, and purple states are passing Michigan in performance. It isn’t just about accountability, although we do need to have transparency and alignment to make progress. It isn’t just about school choice, as places with charters and private school vouchers haven’t proven out to be better.

It’s truth-telling time. All of these things are conflating and dragging down progress in Michigan. There isn’t one quick fix for schools. We must coalesce around one BIG vision for Michigan and then commit to it for the next 20 years. This doesn’t mean we won’t have to make tweaks. Data-informed shifts are incredibly important. Is money part of the solution? Yes, because part of implementing solutions is funding them. Do we need a cohesive leadership structure aligned to one shared strategy? Yes, it will take a clear vision and defined roles of accountability like Mississippi had, and more money like Minnesota had. It will take perseverance over time and not continuing the “Michigan 180,” where we flip constantly from one practice to another. It will take more than punitive measures often deemed “accountability,” though we absolutely need to monitor for constant improvement.

So, here’s a proclamation I stand by. This is our time in Michigan!

Dig all the way in. Get involved with your local school district. Learn from organizations like 482Forward, EdTrust Midwest, Launch Michigan, Michigan’s Children, Michigan Education Justice Coalition, Michigan Future Inc., and Michigan League for Public Policy. Keep an ear open for our new podcast and radio show with WJR called Our State of Education, where we will continue real talk with real people about education in our state. And keep your eyes peeled for some billboards coming this fall.

Grab a mug while you are at it. The next round is on us.

— Angelique

Note: The Skillman Foundation supports Detroiters’ ability to inform and shape education policy, and we support the work of education policy organizations working to strengthen public education in Michigan. We do not support political campaigns or activities. We do not lobby for or against legislation, nor do we fund lobbying. The organizations we support take an array of different positions and approaches to improving public education.