Michigan’s Lame-Duck Session: A Crucial Moment for Education and Family Support Legislation

This year’s election saw Michigan Democrats lose their historic trifecta. Although they retain control of the Michigan Senate and Governor Gretchen Whitmer remains in office, Republicans have gained a foothold in the House of Representatives. This shift will require Senate Democrats and Governor Whitmer to pursue bipartisan agreements, working with leaders such as House Republican Matt Hall.

However, the Democratic trifecta remains in place until January, when newly elected Republican leaders are sworn in. This transitional period, known as the lame-duck session, provides a unique opportunity for outgoing Democratic lawmakers to push through key legislation. The question remains: What will they prioritize?

For Michigan’s education community, this time is especially critical. Several legislative packages affecting schools are already being discussed, including measures to increase financial transparency for charter schools. Beyond school-specific bills, other legislation could have a significant impact on Michigan families, educators, and students. One such proposal is the Family Leave Optimal Care Act, introduced by Senator Erika Geiss. This bill, pending in both the Senate and House, would provide up to 15 weeks of paid leave for full- and part-time workers in Michigan.

Research highlights that parent engagement is a critical factor in improving student outcomes. Timberly L Baker and colleagues (2016) note that a significant barrier to parental involvement is the misalignment between school schedules and parents’ work hours. This issue disproportionately affects low-income families, who often lack the flexibility to support their children's education during the school day(Baker et al., 2016).This dynamic was especially apparent for families during the pandemic when low income families faced the difficult choice of supporting their children’s online learning or maintaining their jobs (Baker et al., 2016).

While the Family Leave Optimal Care Act may not explicitly target educational outcomes, its passage could significantly improve parental engagement in schools by providing parents the flexibility to participate more actively in their children's education. Such a measure would ultimately benefit Michigan’s students and school communities.

Baker, T. L., Wise, J., Kelley, G., & Skiba, R. J. (2016). Identifying barriers: Creating solutions to improve family engagement. School Community Journal, 26(2), 161-184.