RELEASE: Gov. Whitmer Announces Michigan’s High School Graduation Rate Reaches a Record High

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 21, 2025

Gov. Whitmer Announces Michigan’s High School Graduation Rate Reaches a Record High

Michigan’s high school graduation rate is at its highest in almost 20 years

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan’s statewide high school graduation rate reached a record high in 2023-24, according to data released today by the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI). This data reflects the success of the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration’s policies bolstering K-12 education in Michigan, including historic per-pupil funding, investments in educators, infrastructure improvements in our schools, and more. Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has signed six commonsense, bipartisan education budgets that have made historic investments in our schools and students, ensuring our kids have the tools and support they need to succeed in the classroom, earn their diploma, and “Make it in Michigan.”

"As a mom of two high school graduates, I know how many soccer games, flashcards, and ACT prep courses go into getting your child across the stage to receive their diploma. That’s why I’m so proud to announce that Michigan’s graduation rate has reached an all-time high,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, we’ve made record, bipartisan investments into our children’s education and I’m committed to working with anyone to make sure Michigan parents and students have the support they need to make it to the finish line. From pre-K for all to free breakfast and lunch at school, let’s keep working together to lower costs for families, make sure students can focus on learning, and help them graduate ready to succeed at life.”

Approximately 95,300 students graduated in the 2023-24 school year, marking more students who have earned their GEDs and potentially pursue higher education right here in Michigan. This is also the highest 4-year graduation rate since Michigan began using the cohort methodology to calculate rates in 2007-08.

“I’m proud of the hard work of Michigan students, educators, support staff, families, and communities to increase the percentage of students who are graduating from high school,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “High school graduation opens the door to postsecondary credential attainment at two- and four-year institutions of higher education as well as in training programs that lead to a wide range of industry credentials. Postsecondary degrees and credentials help Michiganders earn a good living, support a family, and achieve their career dreams.”

Supporting Michigan’s Students

Since taking office, the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration has made historic investments in Michigan children’s education, ensuring our kids have the tools and resources they need to walk across the stage and receive their diploma.

The Whitmer-Gilchrist administration has:

Expanded access to free pre-K to every four-year-old while prioritizing families who need it most, so every kid can arrive at kindergarten ready to learn.

Put Michigan students first by raising per-pupil funding by 26% since taking office, ensuring our kids have access to books, technology, and other essentials that will help them thrive in the classroom. The FY25 budget secured $9,608 per-student funding, the highest ever state funding without raising taxes. Governor Whitmer’s FY26 budget proposal raises this historic investment to $10,000 per pupil.

Provided free breakfast and lunch to all 1.4 million public school students, forgiving all school meal debt, so our kids can focus on learning instead of their lunch bags.

Tripled literacy coaches serving in schools to help every child read by third grade.

Proposed $150 million in ongoing funding for mental health and school safety in her FY26 budget, ensuring students can learn in a safe environment and get the support they need to succeed in the classroom and out.

Secured $150 million through MI Kids Back on Track to tackle unfinished learning and expand tutoring across the state.

Increased funding for at-risk students, English language learners, and special education.

Supporting Michigan’s Educators

The Whitmer-Gilchrist administration has also invested in Michigan’s educators, ensuring our state is attracting and retaining talent to help teach future generations of Michiganders.

The Whitmer-Gilchrist administration has:

Created the Mi Future Educator Scholarship which offers $10,000 scholarships to 2,500 future educators annually. The programs will attract educators to our state, hiring or training an additional 10,000 teachers.

Worked to recruit and retain educators in Michigan’s rural communities by investing $15 million in the FY24 budget.

Combated teacher shortage by signing a bill that allows retired teachers and public school employees to return to work while continuing to receive retirement benefits.

Invested in Grow Your Own (GYO) grants which help PK-12 schools develop pathways for school support staff to become certified teachers. In her most recent budget proposal, Governor Whitmer raised funding to $50 million for this program.

Supported student teachers in Michigan by delivering $9,600 to future educators who are participating in their required student teaching semester. Her most recent budget proposal would secure an additional $50 million to fund this program.

Invested $225 million in Michigan’s Student Loan Repayment Program. As of 2024, 9,500 educators from over 500 Michigan school districts have received the first payments from the Student Loan Repayment Program.

Governor Whitmer has also worked to provide pathways to higher education for high school graduates. In her most recent budget, Governor Whitmer secured tuition-free community college for Michigan high school graduates, building on her commitment to ensuring that everyone can “Make it in Michigan.”

For more information on graduation and dropout data, visit CEPI’s MI School Data website (bit.ly/MIGradDrop).

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