FLINT, Mich.— More than 75 educators and business leaders gathered today in Flint for a Marshall Plan for Talent workshop where they discussed upcoming opportunities to revolutionize Michigan’s education and talent development system.
“We are extremely grateful for all of the partners that showed up today to take part in the continued momentum as we gear up for the implementation phase of the Marshall Plan for Talent,” said Roger Curtis, Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan Director. “Everyone has a stake in Michigan’s education and talent development systems and these partnerships critical to help connect the dots between business needs and how we can best address the gap in the talent pipeline.”
Business, K-12 and higher education participants discussed needs, potential barriers and partnerships necessary to help form consortia that will allow them to apply for Marshall Plan funds.
The plan, which passed through the Legislature yesterday and is on its way to the Governor to be signed into law, calls for investing $100 million in innovative programs to revolutionize Michigan’s talent and education system. It will support schools that want to transform education through programs like competency-based certification, world-class curricula and classroom equipment, scholarships and stipends, and support for career navigators and teachers. The funding complements the more than $225 million in existing talent development efforts in Michigan.
Michigan will have more than 811,000 career openings to fill through 2024 in fields that are facing a critical talent shortage. As the state considers talent preparation changes for these fields, the greatest demand for talent will be in increasingly high-skill, high-tech fields such as in information technology and computer science, manufacturing, health care, and other business and professional trades careers.
On April 26-28, the Detroit – For Inspiration Recognition of Science & Technology (FIRST) World Championships were held, hosting over 15,000 students and 40,000 spectators from all around the world, including of 111 Michigan teams. It is with great excitement that the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) share two Michigan teams, Stryke Force, Kalamazoo and Team RUSH, Clarkston were part of the winning alliance for this year’s game, FIRST POWER UPSM.
The State Board of Education (SBE) celebrated the success of the Stryke Force, Kalamazoo and Team RUSH, Clarkston FIRST Robotics teams by honoring them at the June 12 board meeting. Their presentation demonstrated the level of technical capacity, educational excellence, and 21st Century competencies achieved by these students and the students participating in the 1400 teams across the state.
Stryke Force had students Sierra Staunton and Kjersten Lindbloom, present. Sierra shared, “We work to inspire others, because FIRST inspires us. Through FIRST, STEM is accessible.”
Team RUSH had students Valentina Vargas, Jessica Ray, and Jason Richards present. Valentina shared that Team RUSH, “aims to create self-confident leaders who inspire others to celebrate STEM.” The students from Team RUSH shared that they work to fail faster in order to learn more to ensure they are focused and execute their mission.
Both teams shared that the FIRST Digital Badges allow them to demonstrate to colleges and industry their mastery of high valued 21st Century skills. SBE member, Lupe Ramos-Montigny stated, “I’m encouraged and inspired by you. You are on to great success.”
All State Board members and Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles congratulated the teams for their success at the 2018FIRST World Championship and thanked them for their attendance and presentation.
Many other Michigan teams were awarded with high honors at the Detroit-FIRST Robotics World Championship. Team 2834, Bionic Black Hawks, Bloomfield Hills, won the Chairman’s Award, the highest honor given at the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship. This award recognizes the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. Michigan teams were represented in every subdivision winners, as well.
The FIRST Robotics Program empower students to demonstrate their competency in learning in a variety of ways. They have opportunities to solve problems that leverages the power of technology by developing and testing solutions in creative and imaginative ways. They are able to construct knowledge and make meaning of their learning experience for themselves. Students become global collaborators by utilizing technology to make connections with others to broaden perspective and learning through the creation of original products.
This program supports Michigan’s Top 10 in 10 strategic plan by supporting Goal Two, strategy 2.6 and 2.7 by engaging students in well-rounded learning experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), language, business, culture, and creativity, as well as providing access to personalized learning technologies that support and enhance those learning experiences.
The MDE is looking forward to supporting the FIRST Robotics grant program in the 2018-19 school year through continued commitment of grant funding. The 2018-19 and 2019-20 FIRST Robotics World Championships once again will be hosted in Michigan.
LANSING – Updates to the State of Michigan phone system have required the change of phone numbers for some offices and staff members at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
The new toll-free number for the main line at MDE is 833-633-5788.
If you know the name of the MDE staff person who wants to contact, you can search for their contact information at this convenient website: http://www.state.mi.us/dit/default.aspx.
All media inquiries should begin by contacting the Office of Public and Governmental Affairs, with the contact information noted at the top of this press release.
Although an overwhelming majority of Michigan parents view a college education as an investment in their child’s future, only about half are currently saving for higher education expenses, a first-of-its-kind survey by the Michigan Education Trust (MET) found.
The study also discovered significant differences in savings rates and knowledge about college savings vehicles among the various regions of the state, with parents in Michigan’s southern half more likely to have a college savings plan than those in the northern portions.
MET – the 529 prepaid tuition plan managed by the Michigan Department of Treasury – undertook the survey to gain deeper understanding into Michigan families’ needs and possible roadblocks to saving for college.
The survey results were released today during a news conference at the state Capitol in Lansing. Also during the event, MET announced a partnership with the Michigan Association of State Universities, in which the association will help promote the importance of saving for college among the alumni of its members – Michigan’s 15 public universities.
The news conference – which also featured state Treasurer Nick Khouri and House Minority Leader Sam Singh, D-East Lansing – was staged in conjunction with 529 Day, observed annually on May 29 to raise awareness of 529 plans, tax-advantaged college savings vehicles named after the section of the Internal Revenue Code that allowed for their creation. Also, Gov. Rick Snyder issued a proclamation recognizing May 29 as Michigan’s 529 Day to encourage saving for college and show appreciation for MET’s 30th anniversary as a 529 prepaid tuition plan.
“There’s a lot of research on saving for college on a national level, but detailed information specific to Michigan families – the people we serve – isn’t readily available,” MET Executive Director Robin Lott said of the reasoning behind undertaking the polling. “While we had anecdotal and other evidence about residents’ saving habits, knowledge and concerns, we were surprised by some of the findings in our statistically valid sampling of Michigan parents.
“The results from this first-of-its-kind survey will help us determine how we can better meet Michigan families’ college savings needs.”
The online survey, based on 742 responses from Michigan residents age 18 or older who have children under 18 living at home, has a margin of error of 3.6 percent.
It aimed to gauge awareness of 529 college savings plans, such as MET and the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP); perceptions related to saving for college; the value placed on saving for college; barriers parents face in accumulating college savings; and strategies parents use to reduce college costs.
The survey found that 91 percent of Michigan parents view college as an investment in their children’s future and that 77 percent are willing to stretch themselves financially to ensure they can attend college.
But it also discovered that only 54 percent of the state’s parents are saving for college, which is less than the 57 percent nationwide average as determined by Sallie Mae’s “How America Saves for College 2016” report.
The highest percentage of savers – 56 percent – is found in Southeast Michigan. Both South-central and West Michigan have college savings rates of 53 percent. The Saginaw Bay region and Northern Michigan – including the Upper Peninsula – have the lowest rates of college savings, each at 47 percent.
But even parents who are savers expect their savings to cover only 30 percent of their child’s total college education costs, the survey found. Other primary sources of paying for college expenses, in the order most cited, were scholarships, parent income at the time the child is enrolled in college, federal or state financial aid or grants, and children’s student loans.
Furthermore, awareness of 529 college savings plans such as MET also varies by region, with South-central and Southeast Michigan having greatest familiarity with them at around 50 percent, followed by the Saginaw Bay region at 41 percent, West Michigan at 36 percent and Northern Michigan at 25 percent.
Additional findings from the MET survey include:
Of those who are saving, half started when their oldest child was between 0 and 3 years old, and 8 in 10 had started saving by the time their oldest child was 10.
Also among savers, 55 percent are using a traditional bank savings account to accumulate college savings.
The leading reason for not saving for college is not having enough money, which was cited by 6 in 10 of nonsavers.
Among nonsavers, 57 percent say they feel “overwhelmed” about saving for college, compared with 37 percent of savers.
Relatively few parents believe they will not need college savings (5 percent) or that financial aid or scholarships will be enough to cover costs (11 percent).
“MET’s survey findings track those from a recent Michigan Association of State Universities poll showing Michigan parents place a high value on obtaining a college degree that can lead to a better-paying job and more rewarding career,” said Bob Murphy, director of university relations and policy for the Michigan Association of State Universities. “But the results also make clear that government, at both the federal and state levels, needs to encourage savings and assisting parents, grandparents, friends and businesses in helping students meet their higher education goals.”
Beyond teaming with the Michigan Association of State Universities, MET is staging several events throughout its 30th anniversary year to highlight the importance of saving for college. For example, its “How We MET” campaign features the stories of families whom MET over the years has helped achieve their college dreams. Also, MET this year will award a total of $30,000 worth of prepaid tuition to 10 Michigan families through its How We MET Sweepstakes drawings.
“Trying to set money aside for a student’s college fund is an important concern for every busy parent,” said Rep. Singh, who was joined during the news conference by his wife, Kerry Ebersole, and infant son, Remy, to promote the new MESP account they opened after his birth last year.
“One of the best aspects of Michigan’s 529 plans, aside from their affordability and tax advantages, is the fact that anyone can contribute money to them – including other family members and friends,” said Rep. Singh, who added the couple is now exploring the option of opening a MET account that combines the benefits of both programs.
MET, MESP and MI 529 Advisor Plan (MAP), Michigan’s three Section 529 college savings programs, offer Michigan taxpayers a state income tax deduction on contributions and potential tax-free growth on earnings if account proceeds are used to pay for qualified higher education expenses. More information about MET is available at SETwithMET.com or 800-MET-4-KID (800-638-4543).
In honor of April as National Financial Literacy Month, the Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding Michiganders about the importance of saving for college and using a 529 plan as a way to save.
A 529 plan is an education savings plan designed to help families set aside money for future education expenses. Contributions provide state income tax deductions and earnings in a plan grow tax free and are exempt at the federal and state level.
These plans get their name from Section 529 of the federal Internal Revenue Code.
“Financial Literacy Month is a great time for parents, grandparents and others to begin thinking about how they can reduce potential student loan debt based on the overall cost of higher education,” said Robin Lott, executive director of the state of Michigan’s 529 plans. “Each of our plans provide an excellent avenue for savings, depending upon each student’s goals.”
The state of Michigan offers three Section 529 college saving plans that potentially provide state and federal tax benefits: Michigan Education Trust (MET), Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) and MI 529 Advisor Plan (MAP). These plans can be broken up into two categories:
Prepaid Tuition Plan (MET) allows for the pre-purchase of tuition based on today’s rates and then paid out at the future cost when the beneficiary is in college. Performance is often based upon tuition inflation. Prepaid plans may be administered by states or higher education institutions.
Investment-Based Savings Plans (MESP and MAP) are different in that your account earnings are based upon the market performance of the underlying investments, which typically consist of mutual funds. Investment-based savings plans may only be administered by states.
To learn more about 529 plans, go to SavewithMI529.com. For more information about saving for college, contact MI Student Aid at mistudentaid@michigan.gov, 1-888-4-GRANTS or @mistudentaid on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson reads “A Fish Out of Water” to kindergarten/Pre-5 students at Thomson Elementary School in Davison on March 23.
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson visited two elementary schools in Davison today in observance of National Reading Month to talk about the importance of having strong reading skills.
Johnson was a special guest for three kindergarten/pre-5 classes at Thomson Elementary School in the morning. She read “A Fish Out of Water” by Helen Palmer—her own favorite book from childhood—to the youngsters.
In the afternoon, she met with five classes of third graders at Gates Elementary School and read “Little Michigan” by Denise Brennan-Nelson with them. Johnson’s presentations also included trivia, questions and answers and a photo session.
During March, schools stress the importance of reading for future success in academics and in the workplace, and welcome guests to read to children
“Reading gives us a foundation for learning and success in life,” Johnson said. “It is also an activity that sparks our imagination and, as the humor columnist Dave Barry has described it, ‘a vacation for the mind.’
“I hope you’ll help celebrate National Reading Month by picking up a good book – or downloading a good e-book – and encouraging others to read as well.”
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Cheryl Granzo of Belding as well as the reappointments of Deana Strudwick of White Pigeon and Stephanie Peters of Eaton Rapids to the Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities.
The 21-member council advises the Michigan Department of Education in the preparation of applications for financial and other assistance for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities. The council also advises and assists the department regarding the appropriate services for children from birth through age five.
“I thank these individuals for serving on this important board. The work they do will be instrumental in assisting families and small children with disabilities,” Snyder said.
Appointment:
Granzo is the supervisor of Birth to Five Programs for the Ionia County Intermediate School District and is also a licensed speech and language pathologist. Granzo holds a master’s degree from Michigan State University, an early childhood education endorsement, and a special education supervisor endorsement from Grand Valley State University. She will represent public or private providers of early intervention services and replace Conny Raaymakers.
Reappointments:
Strudwick is the executive director of special education and early childhood for the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bowling Green State University, a master’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in education from Grand Valley State University. She will continue to represent public or private providers of early intervention services.
Peters previously served as the Ingham Intermediate School District’s Early Childhood and Special Education Support Services Supervisor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social science and a master’s degree in special education from Michigan State University.
Members serve four-year terms expiring Oct. 31, 2020.
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Stanley Hannah of Novi and Lauren Rakolta of Birmingham to the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board.
The 11-person board promotes the health, safety, and welfare of Michigan’s children and families by funding local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.
“I am confident Stanley and Lauren will effectively serve the people of Michigan in this role,” said Snyder.
Hannah is senior manager at Plante Moran LLC. and previously served as a senior organizational consultant at Young Samuel Chambers LTD. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University, and a master’s degree in education and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia. He will represent the business community and replace Andra Rush.
Rakolta is owner and president of Devon Facility Management. Previously, she owned and managed her own consulting group specializing in legislative, political, and finance strategies. Rakolta holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. She will represent the business community and replace Mark Davidoff.
Members will serve the remainder of three-year terms that expire Dec. 19, 2018. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Contact: Martin Ackley, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs 517-241-4395 Agency: Education
LANSING – Thirty-four Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs are sharing $2.85 million in state grants from Governor Rick Snyder’s MiSTEM Advisory Council, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced today.
The state Legislature set aside $2.85 million in 2017-18 to distribute grants up to $100,000 for the implementation of STEM programs listed in the STEMworks database. The MiSTEM Advisory Council selected the awardees, whose funding ranges from $24,000 to $100,000, from 134 applications seeking more than $10 million. The applications came from local and intermediate school districts (ISDs), universities, and STEM providers
“STEM education is critically important to a student’s success later in life,” Governor Snyder said. “Thank you to my partners in the state Legislature and the Department of Education for ensuring that more Michigan students will have access to these STEM skills.”
The MiSTEM Advisory Council said in a statement:
“The Council would like to thank the Governor for the leadership and vision to propel STEM education down a new and exciting path. The legislature has stepped up to the challenge and appropriated funds to support this shift in culture, enabling STEM programming around the state to benefit from proven best practices.
“As proud as we may be about this initial success, we are even more encouraged by the widespread potential that will be harnessed and directed toward the further advancement of STEM education for all of the students throughout the state.”
State Superintendent Brian Whiston said the grants’ STEM focus will help Michigan become a Top 10 education state in 10 years – the central goal of the Michigan Department of Education.
The grants align with the Top 10 plan’s goal of implementing high-quality classroom instruction through a child-centered instructional model with a strategy to enable public schools’ students to engage in integrated STEM programming.
In weighing the applications, the MiSTEM Advisory Council considered reviewer ratings, program type, and distribution across the MiSTEM Network Regions.
Two successful applicants, Oakland Schools and West Shore ESD, received multiple awards to provide professional development in regions other than their own. They are using the funding to build on statewide work underway for several years with seed funding from other sources.
Here is the list of 10 ISDs, 10 local districts and three STEM education provider applications selected for funding:
Organization
Region
STEMworks Program
Amount
Lakeview Sch. District (Calhoun)
Region 1 – Southwest Michigan
PLTW
$94,340
Oakland Schools
Region 2 – South Central Michigan
Modeling MS Science – Jackson/Lansing
$100,000
Brighton Area Schools
Region 2 – South Central Michigan
PLTW
$53,007
National Inventors Hall of Fame, Inc.
Region 3 – Wayne County
Camp Invention
$100,000
Wayne RESA
Region 3 – Wayne County
Math Recovery
$62,716
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
Region 3 – Wayne County
PLTW
$74,339
Detroit Public Schools Community District
Region 3 – Wayne County
A World In Motion® (AWIM)
$97,730
Iridescent
Region 3 – Wayne County
Iridescent
$91,382
Macomb ISD
Region 4 – Macomb County
Math Recovery
$53,737
Oakland Schools
Region 5 – Oakland County
Modeling Biology
$100,000
Oakland Schools
Region 5 – Oakland County
Modeling Chemistry
$100,000
Genesee ISD
Region 6 – Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair Counties
Math Recovery
$98,406
Shiawassee Regional ESD
Region 7 – Capital Area
Math Recovery
$99,120
Otsego Public Schools
Region 8 – West Michigan
MiSTAR
$34,160
Kent ISD
Region 8 – West Michigan
Math Recovery
$45,675
Oakland Schools
Region 8 – West Michigan
Modeling MS Science – Muskegon
$100,000
Mason County Eastern Schools
Region 9 – West Central Michigan
Cereal City Science
$100,000
Midland Public Schools
Region 10 – Central Michigan
MiSTAR
$88,784
Sanilac ISD
Region 11 – Thumb
Cereal City
$100,000
Oakland Schools
Region 12 – North East Michigan
Modeling Biology – Roscommon
$100,000
Public Schools of Petoskey
Region 13 – North West Michigan
Full Option Science System (FOSS)
$60,185
Eastern Upper Peninsula ISD
Region 14 – Eastern UP
Cereal City Science – elementary
$93,488
Eastern Upper Peninsula ISD
Region 14 – Eastern UP
Cereal City Science – middle school
$82,474
Oakland Schools
Region 15 – Central UP
Modeling Physical Science – Marquette
$100,000
L’Anse Area Schools
Region 16 – Western UP
Engineering is Elementary
$28,119
Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium & Keweenaw
Region 16 – Western UP
Math Recovery
$24,285
Great Lakes Fishery Trust
Statewide
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
$99,166
Muskegon Area ISD
Statewide
Math Recovery
$99,960
West Shore Educational Service District
Statewide
AP Computer Science/Computer Science Discoveries
$668,927
(6 applications total)
The Legislature created the MiSTEM Advisory Council in 2015. It’s made up of 11 voting members serving at the pleasure of the Governor and four ex-officio legislators appointed from the House of Representatives and Senate.
