Launch Michigan applauds Growing Michigan Together Council workgroup recommendations

Venessa Keesler, president and CEO of Launch Michigan, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reimagining Michigan’s public education system, released the following statement after the presentation of the Growing Michigan Together Council (GMTC) workgroup recommendations:

“We all agree that Michigan’s education system is not delivering the results we need — not because of the people involved, but because we haven’t changed the system to help our kids succeed in today’s global economy. Launch Michigan’s framework recommends a focus on reinvention, resources and responsibility, similar to what the Pre-K-12 workgroup shared.

The recommendations parallel many strategies adopted by leading states and countries with robust education systems. While Michigan is unique, we can and should learn from others and be honest about where we can improve.

We look forward to working alongside the council, stakeholders and lawmakers to transform the system from one with significant inequities to one that ensures bright futures for every student in Michigan.”

 The Growing Michigan Together Council Pre-K-12 workgroup recommendations include:

• Align governance and accountability to system vision and goals, while clarifying roles, eliminating inefficiencies, and bolstering capacity.

• Commit to the Michigan education guarantee that students graduate with the competencies they need to thrive now and throughout their lifetimes.

• Reimagine the job of teaching, enabling educators to innovate so students can learn for life.

• Fund the system fully, equitably, efficiently, and transparently so every student and every school has the resources needed to meet the system’s goals.

 The Launch Michigan framework can be found here.