There’s a shortage in Michigan public schools not many talk about, but it’s not of funding or teachers.
It’s a shortage of students.
The last time the number of children attending public schools in this state went up was the 2002-03 school year. For 18 consecutive years, fewer students have enrolled in Michigan schools, according to official data.
The last time more than 2 million students attended Michigan public schools was 1977-78, when there were 2,023,944 enrolled in the fall.
By the 2020-21 year, that number had dropped to 1,415,820, a 30% decline over the 43-year span.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.