LETRS: Literacy Essentials for Teachers of Reading & Spelling
LETRS Cohort 14 Open Enrollment
Join over 12,000 of your fellow educators in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training. Registration for Cohort 14 is open April 13, 2026 – August 30, 2026. Training for Cohort 14 will start in November 2026.
For more information, including registration links, eligibility requirements, and FAQs, please visit the Michigan LETRS website. If you have any questions regarding LETRS training, please contact MDE-LETRS@michigan.gov.
LETRS District Success Partnership
Elevate Literacy Outcomes with the Michigan Leaders!
We are excited to share a prestigious professional opportunity designed to accelerate literacy achievement across Michigan. The Michigan Leaders District Success Partnership is now accepting applications from forward-thinking educational leaders.
This exclusive two-year partnership with Lexia provides participating districts with comprehensive, custom supports tailored to meet your unique instructional needs. Please note that this partnership is limited to the first 50 public school districts or public school academies (PSAs) that apply and fulfill the established criteria.
As this is a first-come, first-served opportunity, we encourage you to review the application and submit your interest promptly to secure your district's placement in this transformative initiative. Please direct any questions to MDE-LETRS@michigan.gov.
Section 35m Grant (FY 25)
A reminder that there is no September State Aid payment - July 20th was the latest date a budget could be submitted for approval.
Please note: all FY25 Section 35m funds must be expended or returned by September 30, 2026. Section 35m does not allow for carryover of grant funds. Please refer to the Section 35m FAQs for more information.
Section 35m Grant (FY 26)
The 2025-26 Section 35m Committee for Literacy Achievement / HQ Literacy Materials Grant application closed June 12, 2026 at 5pm ET.
Please note: This is a formula grant that includes both a base allocation and a Pre-K to 12 per-pupil amount (based on fall 2025 certified count).
After the department has determined the per-pupil formula based on the number of applicants, districts and ISDs will be notified through NexSys that modifications are required. Modifications will be required for all applications. This step will be the entry point to allow districts and ISDs to create their budget in NexSys for approval.
For more information including the Section 35m Application Checklist, FY 26 Section 35m FAQs and the approved lists, please visit the Section 35m webpage. Please direct any questions to MDE-EarlyLiteracy@michigan.gov.
K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law (PA 146)
This timeline provides a snapshot of key implementation dates, required actions, and planning milestones through the 2027–28 school year.
NEW! 2026-2027 School-Year Prep Ideas
Consider the following ideas for kicking off your 2026–2027 school year to boost literacy achievement, strengthen supports, and energize teamwork!
- Review spring data and identify students to receive additional supports
- Schedule K-3 literacy screening windows within the first 30 days of school
- Align Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions with MTSS and PA 146 expectations
- Develop a system to maintain required documentation of screening and progress monitoring, interventions, and family communications
- Support district and building staff’s understanding of PA 146
- Identify and provide relevant and applicable professional development centered around PA 146, Section 7(a-f)
UPDATED! Assessment and Tier 1 Curricula Lists
These lists provide districts with vetted tools and resources for supporting high‑quality screening, intervention, and instructional decision‑making. Ongoing submission and reviews will continue through December 2026.
MI K-12 Literacy Coaching Model - Phase 2 Update
The MI K–12 Literacy Coaching Model Committee continues working toward reviewing existing literacy coaching models for potential alignment with the requirements outlined in MCL 380.1280f, and which best supports K-12 educators and students. Additionally, Committee members continue to receive training on such topics as inter‑rater reliability and consensus protocols, to ensure a fair and consistent review process. We’ll continue to share updates as the phases progress!
K-12 IRIP and Assessment Selection Guidance
COMING FALL 2026!
- K-12 IRIP Guidance slides, script and optional template
- Assessment Selection guidance slides and script
MDE PD and TA Opportunities:
UPDATED! MDE PA 146 Professional Learning Resources
In support of the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law (PA 146) Professional Learning requirements in Section 7a-f, MDE has released the “PA 146 Professional Learning Resources” document which is now available on the MDE Literacy-Professional Learning webpage.
K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law Presentation (formerly “Literacy for All”)
MDE Literacy Unit consultants are excited to share that we have updated our K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law roadshow presentation! The updated version was created based on feedback from all previous roadshow visits, and includes a deep dive into the five components of the MTSS Framework, specific guidance for secondary while continuing to show alignment between the Michigan Dyslexia Handbook and the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law.
The slides and script will be released in the fall for local and regional training purposes, but you are more than welcome to review and use the live version now! UPDATES2026: K-12 LitDysLaw-Handbook/MTSS (Full 3 hrs Workshop)
On the Road with the Literacy Unit
If you would like to attend any of the following events in which we are presenting, please reach out to the host. If you would like to inquire about hosting a regional training, please email mde-literacy-dyslexia@michigan.gov.
- 9/15/26: K-12 ISD ELA Consultants Meeting, GIRESD, Ithaca, MI
- 9/29-9/30: MiLEAP & MCSC Family Engagement Conference, Lansing, MI
- 9/30-10/2/26: The Reading League National Conference, Chicago, IL
- 10/12-10/14/26: MDE Special Populations Conference, Lansing, MI
- 11/2/26: COOR ISD, Roscommon, MI
- 11/19-11/20: MiMTSS Conference, Lansing, MI
- 12/4/26: UM Flint-New Teacher Academy, Flint, MI
Balanced Assessment Systems & Assessment Literacy Series
MDE OEAA (Office of Educational Assessment & Accountability) & MAC (Michigan Assessment Consortium) upcoming series:
Achieving Balance in Classroom Assessment (ABCA):
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Designed for LEA Teams and/or ISD/RESA Teams
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Series begin October 2026 and September 2026, respectively
Assessment Literacy Institute (ALI):
Developing Quality Classroom Summative Assessments:
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Dates: November 9-10, and December 7, 2026
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This three-day professional learning series from the Michigan Assessment Consortium supports educators in designing high-quality, accurate classroom summative assessments that provide meaningful evidence of student learning.
The MDE Literacy Unit continues to partner with the MiMTSS TA center to offer technical assistance through training and presentations. For MiMTSS TA Center offerings please visit the MiMTSS TA Center’s Professional Learning Page.
K-12 MTSS Framework Support
MiMTSS TA Center: Specialized TA
- MTSS Implementation support K-5 & 6-12
- Integrated Tier One Literacy, Social Emotional MTSS Framework
- MiMTSS TA Center Specialized TA Request Form
Structured Literacy Series
MiMTSS hosted a five part Structured Literacy Series to support the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law/PA 146 professional learning. You can also find this series linked on the MDE Literacy-Professional Learning webpage.
MiLEAP
MI Community Schools & Family Engagement Conference
In the first of its kind in Michigan, The Michigan Community Schools Coalition and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) are co-hosting a statewide event to spotlight both the work of the 10 Regional MiFamily Engagement Centers and 155 community schools dedicated to building, growing, and sustaining key family engagement and partnership practices across the state. The 2-day conference will take place in Mount Pleasant September 29-30. Attendees will include families, educators, district administrators, early childhood professionals, and community partners. The MDE Literacy Unit is pleased to announce that we are presenting a breakout session!
NEW! The Library of Michigan Shares: WONDER MEDIA - ASK THE QUESTIONS!
Wonder Media: Ask the Questions is a free and fully accessible media and news literacy website aimed at middle and high schoolers and can be found at www.WonderMediaLibrary.org. The site offers games, videos, interactive learning, and lesson plans for educators and librarians to use while engaging students. Activity plans created by public library staff accompany each of the 14 interactive learning pages, and other resources such as bookmarks, posters, flyers, and tip sheets are available for free download. The website is updated regularly and includes a new page featuring original music about social media and media representation for use in school and library settings that is ideal for gaining the attention of adolescent learners. Some of the songs featured are part of the upcoming media literacy musical, CLICK: Connect IRL, debuting in May 2027. Wonder Media is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in collaboration with the Library of Michigan.
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As we step into the new school year, we are reminded that Michigan educators are the backbone of K-12 literacy success. Your commitment to our students sets the tone for every child’s educational journey. Thank you for being the energy, expertise, and heart of Michigan’s K-12 classrooms!
MDE Literacy Webpage
Visit the Michigan Department of Education’s Literacy Webpage to learn more about literacy efforts across the state; the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law, and Professional Learning pages will continue to be updated.
Literacy Unit Listserv
Keep up to date on our most current information by subscribing to the Michigan Department of Education listserv. You can subscribe to literacy as well as other MDE communications you may be interested in.
Email Us:
For assistance regarding the Michigan K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law:
For assistance regarding K-12 literacy education in Michigan:
For assistance regarding LETRS training in Michigan:
MDE Literacy Unit:
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