Education Finance

Education is a public good. In Michigan, we come together to support our young people from cradle to career. At EPIC, we believe that our leaders should know how these investments are working and what changes are needed to achieve the outcomes our students deserve.

Concerns over K-12 funding are well-founded. Education is the second largest area of the state budget and K-12 resources are strongly linked with student outcomes. Michigan systems of education finance are complex, but present opportunities to serve students and educators to help them thrive.

In the Conversation

EPIC Team shares research findings at the 2026 MAISA Convening

Education Finance, In the Conversation, Presentations

EPIC team members shared research findings from their report on education finance to participants of the 2026 MAISA member meeting.

EPIC Provides Testimony to PreK-12 Senate Appropriations Subcommittee

Education Finance, In the Conversation, Presentations

EPIC team members Madeline Mavrogordato and Jason Burns provided Testimony to the Michigan Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on PreK-12

Latest Research

Funding Michigan’s Future: Three Decades of School Finance and the Policy Questions Ahead

This report takes stock of three decades of Michigan school finance to clarify how revenues and expenditures have changed — and what that means for students.

Teacher Compensation: Recent Trends and Public Opinion, 2025 Update

Teacher salaries in Michigan have risen slightly in recent years but continue to lag behind those in other states. This report aims to help stakeholders determine whether to maintain the current approach or take more intentional steps to improve teacher compensation.

Teacher Compensation in Michigan: Recent Trends and Public Opinion

This report provides an overview of recent trends in teacher compensation and the current state of teacher compensation in Michigan.

Key Findings from Funding Michigan’s Future

What you need to know about three decades of Michigan school finance to clarify how revenues and expenditures have changed – and what that means for students.

More Key Findings

What’s Happening at EPIC?

EPIC Fact Sheet – Teacher Shortage

Other Publications, Other Publications - Teacher Workforce, Teacher Workforce

A quick resource of the high level findings from the Michigan Teacher Shortage Study: 2026 Report

The Impact of Coaching on K–3 Literacy Instruction in Michigan

EPIC Policy Briefs, EPIC Policy Briefs - RBG3, Feature - RBG3, Read by Grade Three

This policy brief examines how early literacy coaching has been implemented under the Read By Grade Three Law and whether it has supported improvements in teachers’ literacy instruction by drawing on data collected across three school years, including 318 hours of observations in 89 classrooms, 1,330 coaching logs, and interviews with 18 ISD early literacy coaches.