Jocelyn Rolls Out “Bold” Plan to Build a World-Class Education for Every Michigan Child
Bridge Michigan: “We cannot become the economic engine of the Midwest … if we don’t have a school system that meets the moment”
Yesterday, Jocelyn Benson released her plan to reform Michigan’s public education system to provide every child with access to a world-class education. As the daughter of two public school teachers, a former educator, and a mother of a 9 year old son, getting this right for the next generation of Michiganders is personal. That’s why she’s worked with teachers, administrators, and educators to build a plan that directly addresses the struggles teachers and students are facing.
Jocelyn’s plan has five pillars:
Pillar 1: Establish a world-class education for every Michigan child
Pillar 2: Recruit, pay, and keep great educators
Pillar 3: Start strong – Birth through Pre-K
Pillar 4: Fund schools equitably, efficiently, and transparently
Pillar 5: Make the system work together
These pillars will prepare young Michiganders to compete with their peers from top-performing education systems across the country and globe; recruit, pay, and retain great teachers; finally fund schools in a fair and transparent manner; and invest in a system that supports kids from Pre-K through graduation. Her plan is rooted in results-focused, tangible actions that will improve outcomes, help support our students, and prepare young people for Michigan’s future economy.
In case you missed it:
Bridge Michigan: Benson education plan: Up teacher pay, tackle absenteeism, change constitution
[Isabel Lohman, 05/28/2026]
Democratic gubernatorial contender Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is pushing to expand pre-K to all 3-year-olds, set a minimum teaching salary of $60,000 and create a statewide plan to address chronic absenteeism.
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“We cannot become the economic engine of the Midwest that I know we can be if we don’t have a school system that meets the moment,” Benson told Bridge Michigan. “And as a daughter of special education teachers, as a former teacher myself, and as a mom who sees every day how every moment that we don’t improve our schools is a moment where we’re losing kids to a system that’s not adequately preparing them for the future.”
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Benson’s plan to “ensure that high-quality pre-kindergarten is available to all 3- and 4-year-olds,” aims to “build a mindset that formal learning starts long before kindergarten.” Currently, 4-year-olds can attend pre-K tuition-free in schools and community organizations like child care centers or churches. The state offers a pilot program for 3-year-olds.
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“I think her plan is quite bold,” said former interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles, who was briefed on the plan ahead of Thursday’s announcement. “I think it is also quite ambitious, and I think it’s courageous,” who added it’s a “good start for the type of systemic changes that Michigan needs.”
Senate Education Chair Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, told Bridge it’s clear that Benson “listened to teachers.”
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Benson is also pushing a change in the State Constitution to “enshrine a constitutional right to high quality education in Michigan.”
She said it’s a “small piece of a larger vision of accountability” where the governor is responsible for the educational outcomes of the state.
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Benson is also pushing for Michigan to provide more funding for special education services, and her plan refers to a report from the Autism Alliance of Michigan and Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency outlining how Michigan should overhaul its special education funding system.
Benson’s plan also includes establishing “a statewide public, transparent, audit process to understand how funding is being spent and ensure resources are being used efficiently and effectively to achieve necessary outcomes.”
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Benson said she is “steadfast against” raising taxes on the middle class to pay for the education plan.
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