LANSING, Mich. — Michigan's governor established a new education department focused on long-term student outcomes, developing talent and growing the economy.
Through an executive order Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer established the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP).
The new department will focus on improving outcomes for students from pre-school through college.
MiLEAP will work with the Michigan Department of Education and State Board of Education to establish metrics and create a shared action plan designed to improve student outcomes.
“Every Michigander deserves a path to ‘make it in Michigan’ with strong, lifelong learning support,” said Whitmer.
“For too long, we have thought of education as K-12, but we know that’s not good enough. I’m establishing MiLEAP today because we need to get every kid started early, in pre-K, so they succeed in kindergarten, have paths after graduation to get higher education tuition-free, and forge strong partnerships with our employers so they can get a good-paying, high-skill, and in-demand job," Whitmer added.
The governor provided some examples of what MiLEAP hopes to provide students from early childhood through adulthood:
Students aged 2
- Help families get access to affordable child care.
- Free pre-K at age 4, which can help prepare students for kindergarten.
Students aged 12
- Ensure public school students have community-support.
- Allow for access to affordable before and after school programing.
- Teach students about career paths and furthered education.
Students aged 22
- Create a low or no-cost path to earn an education in an in-demand field.
- Work with students to graduate on-time and pursue a career in Michigan.
“We are thrilled by Gov. Whitmer’s MiLEAP announcement and her administration’s continued commitment to creating opportunities for every student, regardless of their ZIP code, age or income level,” said MEA President-elect Chandra Madafferi.
“Education is a lifelong pursuit, and it’s important that we provide the scaffolding needed to assist students and parents every step along the way. MiLEAP will help create stronger pathways to success for students from preschool through higher education and help them realize their full potential," Madafferi said.
Gov. Whitmer also laid out three clear goals for the new department:
- Add capacity in our early learning team, so every child is ready for kindergarten.
- Accelerate progress toward our Sixty by 30 goal, so everyone can earn a skill certificate or degree after high school, tuition-free.
- Prioritize community, regional, and state partnerships that help our students succeed.
MiLEAP will be comprised of three offices, led by a director who will be appointed by the governor.
The offices include the Office of Early Childhood Education, Office of Higher Education and Office of Education Partnerships.
You can read the full executive order signed by the governor on Tuesday here:
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
