Mich. Ed. Update – May 22
New analysis finds that Michigan K-12 remains low-improving and low-performing for all students
Today, the Education Trust-Midwest released a new analysis of the most recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The analysis finds that Michigan remains low-improving and low-performing for all students including white, black, Latino and low-income students. In particular, Michigan’s white students showed the largest declines in the nation since 2003, compared to white students in other states.
The new analysis of the NAEP data finds that Michigan students are behind their peers for many subjects, including fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math, both key indicators of future employment, job earnings and academic success.
Today, ETM also released a five-point plan with specific recommendations that would put the state on a path toward becoming a top ten education state.
Michigan’s floundering education system has left its children far behind
The following excerpt is from a May 20 article by Brian McVicar in MLive. The full article is available here.
There’s no way around it: Michigan’s education system is floundering.
From early literacy to middle-school math, Michigan students are not keeping up with their peers in top-performing states.
Big changes are needed if Michigan wants to turn itself around, experts say.
“Michigan, if it thinks the status quo is going to be fine, we’ll have a race to the bottom, and we’re almost there right now,” said Grand Valley State University President Thomas Haas, who chaired Gov. Rick Snyder’s 21st Century Education Commission, a panel that developed recommendations to improve Michigan’s education system.
Perhaps no issue is more important for Michigan’s future: In a global economy, a well-educated workforce is critical – and an area where Michigan lags behind.
It starts with reaching and educating Michigan school children even earlier than kindergarten. That means providing more families with affordable access to high-quality early childhood education and funding K-12 schools based on student need, experts say.
“It’s really about our vitality in every aspect for the future in our state,” said Amber Arellano, executive director of The Education Trust-Midwest, a nonpartisan education policy and research group. “It’s whether you want to stay here and raise your kids.”
In a series that began in April, MLive is taking a hard look at Michigan’s biggest challenges – our economy, education system and infrastructure – from the historical importance, to how we got where we are today, to possible solutions.
Click here for the full MLive article.
Dr. John B. King, Jr. to provide keynote address at 2018 Mackinac Policy Conference
Former U.S. Secretary of Education and President and CEO of The Education Trust, Dr. John B. King, Jr., will deliver the keynote address on Thursday, May 31 at the 2018 Mackinac Policy Conference. Dr. King’s keynote will be livestreamed on DPTV beginning at 2:45pm.
Capital Update
The House Workforce and Talent Development Committee met today at 9:00am in Room 326 of the House Office Building. The agenda included a discussion of Senate Bill 344, House Bill 5907, SB 946 and HB 5926.
The Senate Education Committee will meet today at noon in Room 1300 of the Binsfeld Building. The agenda includes a discussion of SB 957, SB 990, SB 991, HB 4069, HB 4084, SB 909 and SB 910.
Noteworthy News
- Michigan’s floundering education system has left its children far behind – Brian McVicar, MLive
- A day in the life of a Michigan teacher – Julie Mack, MLive
- A teachable moment for Michigan’s schools – Tom Watkins, The Detroit News
- Vicksburg school teacher wins Michigan Teacher of the Year Award – Kayla Miller, MLive
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