LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Dr. Michael F. Rice, the present state superintendent of public instruction, introduced his retirement Friday. His retirement is efficient Oct. 3.
“It has been an honor to serve Michigan’s 1.4 million public school children over the last six school years,” stated Rice. “It’s been a privilege to work with the State Board of Education and the state’s talented teachers, students, parents, administrators, support staff, Governor Whitmer, state legislators, education organizations, broader community, and the dedicated staff of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), small in number but mighty in battle, to improve education for our children.”
Dr. Rice. (MDE)
The State Board of Schooling chosen Rice for state superintendent in 2019, after which he led the reconstruction of Michigan’s Prime 10 Strategic Schooling Plan. Throughout his tenure, the state reached the next objectives outlined in that plan:
Reached the best four-year commencement price in historical past, 82.4%, in 2024
Elevated scholar participation and scores in secondary faculty packages corresponding to twin enrollment and Superior Placement past pre-pandemic ranges
Applied common free breakfast and lunch for all public faculty
Elevated the kids’s psychological well being and college security funds from $31 million to greater than $250 million
Elevated trainer preparation plan enrollment by 71%
Pushed for the implementation of literacy/dyslexia laws, which was handed into regulation in Fall 2024
Secured extra funding for low-income, disabled, and rural college students, in addition to college students studying English
Noticed the state preschool program tie for first place in high quality nationwide
Noticed the proportion of adults age 25 to 65 with postsecondary schooling rise to 51.8%
The state additionally raised its summative take a look at leads to 14 of 20 classes in spring 2023 and 13 of 20 classes in spring 2024 and carried out a various MDE Pupil Advisory Council.
Dr. Rice. (MDE)
“It has been an honor to serve alongside Dr. Michael Rice over the past six years,” stated Dr. Pamela Pugh, president of the State Board of Schooling. “Throughout that point, I’ve witnessed his steadfast dedication to placing kids first—even in moments of disagreement, his give attention to what was greatest for college kids by no means wavered.”
Rice supplied some perception into what he’ll be doing after retirement.
“Family members are getting older and, with a nod to Robert Frost, I have promises to keep to them,” stated Dr. Rice. “While I will be writing, consulting a bit, and mentoring in the coming year, I expect mostly to be reengaging more deeply with family. Beyond the year, though, I expect to return to working eye level with children, work that I have missed enormously these last six years and to which I look forward. To Frost again: ‘And miles to go before I sleep.’”
Rice began his profession in public schooling in Washington, D.C. Public Colleges, educating highschool French and training a speech and debate program. He spent 2 years as a superintendent in Kalamazoo and 5 as a superintendent in Clifton, NJ.
He graduated from Yale College with a bachelor’s in psychology with honors and received a grasp’s and doctoral diploma in public administration with honors from New York College.
