EAST LANSING — The following can be attributed to MEA President Paula Herbart in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address on Wednesday evening:
“Gov. Whitmer showed again tonight what being a pro-education governor looks like – and now, with allies in the Legislature, Michigan students and educators can count on desperately needed support to come their way. From individual tutoring and interventions for struggling students, to a path toward universal pre-K, to increased access to post-secondary opportunities, Gov. Whitmer’s vision for public education will lead our state to a prosperous future.
“For starters, many students fell behind during the pandemic, and we must provide them with the school-based tutoring and extra support they need to get back on track and fulfill their potential. That’s why MEA strongly supports Gov. Whitmer’s ‘MI Kids Back on Track’ proposal, and we join her in urging lawmakers from both parties to provide funding for this critical program as soon as possible.
“We also know that education starts in early childhood and must continue past high school. The governor’s commitment to expanding access to pre-K programs to all 4-year-olds provides families with the best key to unlock future academic success for every student. On the other end of academic careers, proposals to expand the age criteria for the Michigan Reconnect program will get more students faster access to the skills they need to compete for available jobs.
“As we proceed with the new Legislature and the upcoming budget proposal, we look forward to discussing more about how we address the educator shortage through improved respect, compensation and workplace voice for the education profession; making good on the promise to school retirees and other seniors to repeal the unfair pension tax; keeping schools safe through common sense gun safety and mental health laws; and replacing misguided reading retention requirements with real interventions that will help our students rather than punish them.”
“The mission of the MEA is to protect, advocate, and advance the rights of all education professionals to promote quality public education for all students.”--30--
Michigan College Access Network responds to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2023 State of the State address
LANSING, Mich. — Earlier tonight, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her fifth State of the State address, the first of her second term and the first since the Democratic Party secured majorities in the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate. Michigan College Access Network was excited to see the governor lay out a bold vision for Michigan’s future that includes significant investments in education and a continued commitment to our shared Sixty by 30 goal. As we look forward to state budget negotiations, we hope that Gov. Whitmer will work with legislators to find innovative ways to make college more affordable for Michiganders.
Statement from Michigan College Access Network Executive Director Ryan Fewins-Bliss: “At a time when many families are concerned about rising prices and making ends meet, let alone paying for their kids to go to college, Michigan College Access Network was encouraged to hear Gov. Whitmer’s plans to help relieve financial pressures on families and put more money back in their pockets. College affordability is a barrier that we hear about from families across the state, and we join the governor in calling for continued funding of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. This monumental, bipartisan investment in postsecondary education has the potential to make affordable college a reality for tens of thousands of students in our state, including low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color.
MCAN also supports Gov. Whitmer’s proposal to expand Michigan Reconnect by lowering the age of eligibility from 25 to 21. This program offers tuition-free pathways to degrees and certificates for Michigan residents living in community college districts and drastically lowers tuition costs for those living outside of a district. On average, people who hold an associate degree will earn $400,000 more over the course of their career than those with only a high school diploma, and that number jumps to over $1 million if they go on to complete a bachelor’s degree. Lowering the age of eligibility will give thousands of adult Michiganders a chance to pursue a brighter economic future through our state’s robust network of community colleges.
We know that the road to postsecondary success begins well before high school. MCAN applauds the governor’s proposed investments in early childhood and K-12 education, including funding for free, public preschool and increased support for students who experienced learning loss through the COVID-19 pandemic. These proposals will build a strong foundation for our youngest learners and help get struggling K-12 students back on track for college and careers.
While the Democratic party holds legislative majorities, we encourage the governor and Democratic legislators to work with their Republican colleagues across the aisle to enact bold, bipartisan investments in our state. Building a better future for all Michiganders isn’t a partisan issue. Investing in education leads to greater economic opportunities, stronger communities, and more prosperous families. Our progress toward Sixty by 30 was slowed by the pandemic, but now it’s time to step on the gas and invest in postsecondary education to build a workforce that’s ready for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century.”
ABOUT MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK
As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN works to improve the futures of Michigan’s students and communities by making college accessible to all. MCAN’s work centers on one main goal: To increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60% by 2030. MCAN engages partners statewide who are committed to systems-level change and the reduction of barriers to increase college readiness, participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color. For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.
