Giving Parents Control – Expanding Opportunities for Michigan Students
All children deserve an exceptional education.
Let’s trust parents, not bureaucrats, to make the best decisions for their kids. The pandemic took a heavy toll on Michigan students. Now’s the time to support Michigan’s students, to give parents more control, and to expand opportunities for every student.
Both the Michigan House and Senate passed this legislation, but Governor Gretchen Whitmer wouldn't add her signature for it to become law. Now if more than 340,000 Michigan voters add their signature to our initiative petitions, these opportunities can be a reality for Michigan children and families.
Every student in every community deserves the chance for success.
The answer? Michigan Student Opportunity Accounts.
Michigan Student Opportunity Accounts will equip families with grants and benefits they can use for any education or learning expense – both inside and outside the classroom.
We have a solemn responsibility to the next generation. Giving students the problem-solving and critical thinking skills they need for the real world tomorrow means providing them more opportunities today.
Catching Up After Pandemic Learning Loss
According to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, parents, and the latest M-STEP assessment scores, the pandemic took a real toll on Michigan students both in-and-outside the classroom.
Every child deserves a fair shot to succeed, no matter their background, their family’s income, or their learning challenges. Michigan Student Opportunity Accounts will allow students to access the school, services, and tools they need to meet their individual learning needs.
Every Student Deserves Access to Dynamic New Learning Opportunities
Michigan Student Opportunity Accounts can be used by families all over Michigan who qualify for free-and-reduced school lunch, families at/below 200% of the free-and-reduced lunch eligibility and students with disabilities to help improve student achievement.
Children right now need instruction tailored to their needs so they can earn an education that allows them to stay on track during pandemic disruptions.
Giving parents flexibility and control will help drive that improvement.
Parents can use Student Opportunity Accounts to provide their kids new learning opportunities, including:
-
![]()
Online classes
-
![]()
Wi-Fi & laptops
-
![]()
Tutoring & tuition
-
![]()
Transportation
-
![]()
Skilled training & CTE expenses
-
![]()
Text books & curriculum materials
-
![]()
Summer school & after school programs
-
![]()
Occupational, behavioral, & speech therapies
-
![]()
Mental health services
Over 1 Million Michigan Public School Students Eligible
65,000 special needs students in Michigan above 200% Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) eligibility.
290,000 public school students in Michigan at/below 200% FRL eligibility.
710,000 public school students in Michigan FRL eligible.
*Source: CEPI & U.S. Census Bureau (estimates based on reported data)
Empowering Taxpayers to Invest More – Directly in Our Kids
Taxpayers are ready to invest in our kids.
Michigan Student Opportunity Accounts will be awarded to families from a qualified, state-approved nonprofit scholarship granting organization (SGO), with a maximum contribution capped at 90% of the state’s school foundation allowance.
SGOs will be funded through donations from Michigan taxpayers who get approval from the Treasury Department and opt to contribute portions of their state Individual Income Tax or Corporate Income Tax to the SGO. Parents can apply to any SGO to help give their kids new education opportunities.
21 other states – including “blue” states – have already enacted educational opportunity programs to give families greater access to high quality education options. Every child in Michigan deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, too.
Our students’ future won’t wait.
