More than 200 educators, literacy leaders and family engagement professionals recently gathered at Michigan State University for MiFamily Engagement is Essential for Literacy — a collaborative learning event focused on strengthening literacy outcomes through meaningful family partnerships.
Hosted through the MiFamily Engagement Center and regional partners, the two-day event highlighted research-based strategies designed to support literacy development from birth through age 10 while helping schools and families build stronger, more connected relationships.
Sessions focused on practical tools educators and family-facing professionals can use to support oral language development, vocabulary growth, communication skills and early reading success through everyday interactions and literacy-rich environments. Organizers noted that the event was grounded in MAISA’s Literacy Essentials framework, which emphasizes evidence-based instructional practices for young learners.
Attendees also heard from educational and state leaders, including Dr. Patricia Edwards, Dr. Jerlando F.L. Jackson, Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, MSU Provost Laura-Lee McIntyre and Annie Spear, who shared insights about the importance of collaboration between families, schools and communities.
The event reinforced a growing statewide effort to expand literacy support systems and equip educators and caregivers with practical, accessible strategies that help children thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Organizers emphasized that meaningful family engagement is not an add-on to education — it is foundational to literacy success.
As conversations and partnerships continue to grow across Michigan, leaders say events like this help strengthen the shared commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to build strong reading, writing and communication skills from the earliest years forward.
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