Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
With class back in session, teachers are working on improving the literacy of their students because there is a troubling picture of how Michigan kids are doing.
Now, a major study is launching to try and change that, and it’s starting with school libraries.
Only 39% of Michigan third graders can read at grade level. To put that in perspective, if you walked into a classroom of 20 kids, only eight of them would be reading where they should be.
Research shows one thing makes a real difference: schools with a full-time librarian produce students who score higher in both reading and math.
But the number of school librarians across the country has dropped 20% over the past decade. That’s where Wayne State University comes in.
The School of Information Sciences is launching the first-ever statewide census of Michigan’s school library services. Every public school in Michigan will be invited to participate. This is not a sample; this is every school.
The data will directly inform state education policy, and participating schools will get a free data dashboard.
Invitations go out this September, with a kickoff symposium on Sept. 22.
Dr. Kafi Kumasi, a professor in the School of Information Sciences at Wayne State University, joined Local 4 Live to talk about it more.
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of WDIV Local 4 News in Detroit!
Expect more coverage of Southeast Michigan and surrounding communities with breaking news, weather, original reporting, investigations, and local sports.
We’re proud to be part of the Metro Detroit community.
Watch more from Local 4 on YouTube: youtube.com/@ClickOnDetroitLocal4WDIV/videos
📰 More news stories: clickondetroit.com
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With class back in session, teachers are working on improving the literacy of their students because there is a troubling picture of how Michigan kids are doing.
Now, a major study is launching to try and change that, and it’s starting with school libraries.
Only 39% of Michigan third graders can read at grade level. To put that in perspective, if you walked into a classroom of 20 kids, only eight of them would be reading where they should be.
Research shows one thing makes a real difference: schools with a full-time librarian produce students who score higher in both reading and math.
But the number of school librarians across the country has dropped 20% over the past decade. That’s where Wayne State University comes in.
The School of Information Sciences is launching the first-ever statewide census of Michigan’s school library services. Every public school in Michigan will be invited to participate. This is not a sample; this is every school.
The data will directly inform state education policy, and participating schools will get a free data dashboard.
Invitations go out this September, with a kickoff symposium on Sept. 22.
Dr. Kafi Kumasi, a professor in the School of Information Sciences at Wayne State University, joined Local 4 Live to talk about it more.
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of WDIV Local 4 News in Detroit!
Expect more coverage of Southeast Michigan and surrounding communities with breaking news, weather, original reporting, investigations, and local sports.
We’re proud to be part of the Metro Detroit community.
Watch more from Local 4 on YouTube: youtube.com/@ClickOnDetroitLocal4WDIV/videos
📰 More news stories: clickondetroit.com
▶️ Watch Local 4 News live: clickondetroit.com/live
📩 Sign up for Local 4 newsletters: clickondetroit.com/account/newsletters
