The Skillman Foundation

Three reports have been recently released; two more are expected over the next few months:

• The School Finance Research Collaborative brought together top industry experts to examine how Michigan schools are funded with the aim of ensuring K-12 funding levels that fully prepare all students for success. The study identified a base cost for educating a student — $9,590 for both traditional public schools and charter schools. That amount excludes transportation, food service and capital costs. The report also identified several factors that deserve additional funding including poverty, special education, English Language Learners, and career and technical education. The full study can be downloaded here.
  • The Skillman Foundation provided funding for the research alongside the W.K. Kellogg and Charles Steward Mott foundations. Additionally, Skillman Foundation President & CEO Tonya Allen serves as one of 22 members in the Collaborative.

• Governor Snyder released the Marshall Plan for Talent this February. The plan calls for a $100-million investment to increase partnership between educators, employers and other stakeholders to transform Michigan’s talent pipeline and redesign the ways in which the state invests, develops and attracts talent. The proposal requires legislative approval, including a one-time transfer from a scholarship reserve fund to spur programming.

• Earlier this month, Ed-Trust Midwest released Top Ten for Education: Not by Chance. This new analysis shows Michigan third graders demonstrating the biggest decline in academic proficiency compared to other states participating in the same assessment consortium, despite nearly $80 million of targeted state investment to improve reading outcomes.

• Additional reports expected for release in the near future include an education report from Business Leaders of Michigan and Ed Trust Midwest’s Michigan Achieves report.