MIDLAND, Mich. — Michigan parents now have a clearer way to understand and navigate every educational option available to their children. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has launched a new online school choice guide that helps families explore their options, including Schools of Choice, charter schools, homeschooling, private schools, microschools, hybrid programs and other learning opportunities.

Available at mackinac.org/schools, the resource provides a practical, parent-friendly guide to schooling options. Families learn what Michigan law allows, identify education options that may fit their children’s needs, and gain a better understanding of the opportunities available to them. The site also features a school finder tool to help families discover options in their area.

Shawn Phillip Cooper, the Mackinac Center’s director of education policy, is excited about what the new website can do for parents who are struggling to make sense of Michigan’s patchwork approach to school choice.

“Michigan parents may not yet have the full array of educational rights that Universal School Choice would afford them, but that doesn’t mean that they are entirely without options,” Cooper said. “That’s why we've created a comprehensive web portal that shows parents the options near to them, explains in clear language the choices currently available under Michigan law, and identifies opportunities to expand those choices for the future. This new website will give parents the information that they need to make informed decisions about how and where they will educate their children.”

“Having educational choice options is great for parents, but it doesn’t get too far if people don’t know what they are or understand how to use them. This website will help change that,” said Jarrett Skorup, Mackinac Center vice president for marketing and communications. “This tool sums up parental options in law, shows how to use what is available today and highlights the opportunities for Michigan to expand those choices in the future.”

Michigan’s K-12 system continues to struggle with academic performance even as spending rises. At the same time, many families face barriers when seeking a school or program that meets their children’s needs. Constitutional restrictions prevent Michigan from offering many of the private school choice programs available in other states, including neighboring Indiana and Ohio, but parents can still access a range of public, charter and alternative education options.

To explore Michigan school-choice options, visit mackinac.org/schools.