{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Four-state-of-education.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fschool-funding-why-how-whats-next-3b3E_8Pn","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"School Funding: Why, How, & What’s Next","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/51e42878-f1e7-4a15-8016-b011524d9dac/4cf073c6-cf67-45f7-bdcc-a2ae1f6ebfeb/osoe_wjr_podtile_launch_may25_f_1080x1080_01.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/566df86d-f934-4fdb-be87-aff1cd5adb16\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"School Funding: Why, How, &amp; What’s Next\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"March 9, 2026 ~ We are taking a step back to examine one of the most important and least understood parts of Michigan’s education system: how public schools are funded. From Proposal A to more recent policy updates, Michigan’s funding system has been shaped over decades of decisions that continue to influence what schools can offer students today. \nAt the Skillman Foundation we believe a strong, future-ready education system is foundational to opportunity, economic vitality, and thriving communities. While funding changes have helped address some disparities, slow overall investment growth and rising student needs have created new challenges that affect classrooms across the state. \nOur guests—State Senator Sarah Anthony; Venessa Keesler, President & CEO of Launch Michigan; and Craig Thiel, Research Director of Citizens Research Council—help break down how school funding works today, why it looks the way it does, and what improvements could make possible for students, educators, and communities statewide.  This conversation offers context for understanding where Michigan’s education system stands, and what it will take to strengthen it for the future. "}