As a member of Business Leaders for Michigan, I support the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and urge the Michigan Legislature to swiftly move forward with their implementation. In Michigan today, only 68% of third graders are reading proficiently; only 20% of high school graduates are considered career- and college-ready; and 21% of high school […]
Business Leaders for Michigan
Posted inPhil's Column
Critics of ‘Common Core’ school standards are worried about politics, not learning
Phil Power is founder and chairman of the Center for Michigan. Michigan was one of 45 states which adopted “Common Core” standards back in 2010. The standards are aimed at setting out the kinds of skills that will qualify kids to successfully meet 21st century challenges, both in post-secondary education and fulfilling careers. There are […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Make businesses pay their fair share for schools, roads, universities
By Rep. Pam Faris Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan, recently proposed a three-point plan to get Michigan moving. Rothwell’s plan applauds Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed budget for fiscal 2014, acknowledging his investments in pre-K education, community colleges and higher education and the rebuilding of our infrastructure. While I agree that […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Three-point investment plan will get Michigan moving
By Doug Rothwell/Business Leaders for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed budget for 2014 offers new promise for Michigan. Now that our fiscal house is in order, thanks to an eradication of old accounting gimmicks and heavy debt obligations, our state is positioned to make good choices about its future investments. The options we pursue today […]
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Facts you might not know about Michigan’s 15 public universities
You probably didn’t know this about Michigan’s public universities: * The University of Michigan’s 90 percent graduation rate is 22 percentage points higher than the average at peer institutions. * Michigan State University’s 126-1 student-to-administrative staff ratio is nearly twice as high as peer institutions. * Central Michigan University’s state aid of $3,699 per student is just slightly […]
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Preschool expansion popular with public
Nobody needs to convince Kelly Hart of the importance of early childhood education. The Flushing woman is the mother of five children who’ve gone through the Great Start Readiness Program, the state-funded preschool for 4-year-olds from low- and moderate-income families. “I’ve always loved the program,” Hart said. “We’ve been lucky to have our kids in […]
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Preschool expansion popular with public
Nobody needs to convince Kelly Hart of the importance of early childhood education. The Flushing woman is the mother of five children who’ve gone through the Great Start Readiness Program, the state-funded preschool for 4-year-olds from low- and moderate-income families. “I’ve always loved the program,” Hart said. “We’ve been lucky to have our kids in […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Interest high in Right to Work; gains unclear
Gov. Rick Snyder has engaged in some shuttle diplomacy in recent days, talking with opponents and supporters of Right to Work, which limits requirements for participation in union activities by employees. RTW is something the governor has repeatedly said is divisive and not on his agenda, yet the idea has been the subject of much […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Manufacturing and metros are recipe for success, says guru on cities
Bruce Katz has pushed a consistent message for Michigan: M&M&E. That’s short for manufacturing, metros and exports. A vice president at the Brookings Institution, Katz has worked in recent years with Business Leaders for Michigan in developing ideas for improving Michigan’s economy. Bridge Magazine spoke with Katz by phone recently to get his sense of […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Consensus emerges on local services, but what becomes of transparency?
By Tom Ivacko/Center for Local, State and Urban Policy A path forward, on common ground? Yes, but watch for caution signs along the way. First, the common ground: Michigan citizens — Republicans and Democrats — and their state and local government leaders broadly agree that consolidating individual public services across neighboring jurisdictions is worth pursuing, […]
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