Detroit’s schools are still recovering from the deep wounds of systemic neglect. Redlining, segregation, and a crash in city revenue starved schools of resources. Meanwhile, state funding for Detroit continues to lag behind wealthier districts. 

But like the city itself, Detroit schools have been slowly, steadily rising. The latest glimmer is the new M‑STEP results.

A Chalkbeat Detroit analysis of Michigan’s 2024-25 standardized tests show Detroit’s third‑graders reading at their best level in over a decade. Still, only about 13 percent of DPSCD students reached reading proficiency, that’s compared to nearly 39 percent statewide.

So what do these modest gains really mean, and how long can they last?

Dr. Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District, joined Robyn Vincent to answer these questions.