Education & Curriculum Access

Public education is under attack. From budget proposals that slash funding to political efforts aimed at censoring inclusive curriculum, students across Michigan are being denied the well-rounded, honest, and equitable education they deserve. This page provides tools to advocate for education that reflects all communities, protects teachers, and defends truth in the classroom.

• Concerns About Education Cuts in Proposed Budget

  Published: May 24, 2025

  (Big Beautiful Billshit)

  Issue: A federal budget proposal would significantly cut funding for public education programs and teacher resources.
  What’s at Risk: School services, staff positions, and student support programs could be eliminated across Michigan.
  Action: Tell Congress to reject education funding cuts and protect investments in public schools.
  

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative

• Support the Teach MI History Bills (SB 1145–1147)

  Published: April 26, 2024

  Issue: These bills would require schools to teach comprehensive Michigan history, including Indigenous, Black, and labor movements.
  What’s at Risk: Without legislative support, important pieces of Michigan’s story could continue to be excluded from classrooms.
  Action: Urge your state legislators to support SB 1145–1147 and ensure students receive a complete, inclusive education.
  

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your Michigan State Representative and Michigan State Senator

• Protect Inclusive Education and Defend the Right to Learn in Michigan

  Published: April 24, 2025

  Issue: Michigan has seen a rise in political efforts to censor public education, including book bans and attacks on race, gender, and identity-related curriculum.

  
  What’s at Risk: Students could lose access to inclusive learning materials and educators may face restrictions that erase critical parts of U.S. and global history.

  
  Action: Tell your Michigan lawmakers to reject censorship efforts and stand up for inclusive, truthful education that represents all communities.

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your Michigan State Representative, Michigan State Senator, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer

• Defend Educational Equity and Restore Commitments to Native Students

  Updated 8/3/25

  Published: April 26, 2025

  Issue: Programs and commitments designed to serve Native American students have been underfunded or de-prioritized.
  What’s at Risk: Native students may lose access to critical cultural education, services, and support.
  Action: Urge state leaders to restore funding and respect treaty-based educational responsibilities.
  

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your Michigan State Representative and Governor Gretchen Whitmer

• Restore Federal Education Relief for Michigan Schools

  Updated 8/3/25

  Published: April 26, 2025

  Issue: Federal education budget proposals for FY2026 continue to pull back relief funding that was promised to help schools recover from the pandemic.

  
  What’s at Risk: Critical upgrades to ventilation, mental health support, and classroom stabilization efforts may be abandoned, especially in high-need districts.

  
  Action: Urge your members of Congress to restore federal school funding and protect the well-being of Michigan students and educators.
  

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative

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Mail These Letters To: (Ferndale, MI)

U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D – Junior Senator)
The Honorable Elissa Slotkin
825B Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D – Senior Senator)
The Honorable Gary Peters
724 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (MI-11)
The Honorable Haley Stevens
2411 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

State Representative Helena Scott (HD-8)
The Honorable Helena Scott
Michigan House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514

State Senator Mallory McMorrow (SD-8)
The Honorable Mallory McMorrow
Michigan Senate
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Governor Gretchen Whitmer
The Honorable Gretchen Whitmer
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909

Not Sure Who Represents You?

Use these tools to find your specific state and federal legislators:

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Michigan-based organizations

Defending Inclusive Education and Curriculum Access in Michigan

Organization: Michigan Education Justice Coalition (MEJC)
Website: mejc.org (or search via allied groups like 482Forward and We the People MI)
Why recommend: MEJC is a grassroots network that centers racial justice, student voice, and anti-censorship in public education across Michigan. They organize families, educators, and students to fight against curriculum bans, standardized testing abuse, and the dismantling of public school systems. They are active in opposing statewide censorship and defending inclusive curriculum.

Advocating for School Funding Equity in Michigan

Organization: 482Forward
Website: mlpp.org
Why recommend: 482Forward is a Detroit-based education justice network building grassroots power to win equitable school funding and quality education for all students. They are currently leading the Invest in MI Kids campaign and provide toolkits, event actions, and legislative pressure strategies rooted in community input.

Legal Protections for Students and Teachers

Organization: ACLU of Michigan – Education Justice
Website: mlpp.org
Why recommend: The ACLU of Michigan monitors legislation that impacts civil rights in education and regularly defends students and educators from discriminatory policies. Their education justice work includes legal resources, issue tracking, and action alerts on censorship, LGBTQ+ rights, and public education attacks.