Education key to Michigan’s economic success, commission finds

If the State of Michigan hopes to return to the lofty perch it occupied as a business and industrial power of the early 20th century, it must focus on making higher education available and accessible to all of its residents.

A group effort joining together the people of Michigan, educational systems and governments will be required to achieve Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s goal of doubling the number of state residents who obtain college degrees and other valuable credentials during the next 10 years, according to the commission assembled to study ways to reach the goal.

Lt. Gov. John Cherry’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth released a final report Dec. 15 that called for making higher education universal for Michigan residents; expanding access to baccalaureate institutions and degrees; and improving the transfer process and awarding of dual degrees. President Mary Sue Coleman served the commission as chair of the Economic Benefits Work Group.

“Education is critical to the success of efforts to rejuvenate Michigan’s economy. If our state is to compete in the increasingly complex global economy, its citizens must receive better training and academic preparation,” Coleman said.

“While Michigan’s educational institutions like U-M continue to improve access for residents, more must be done. To achieve the governor’s goal will require additional resources from the state, but the return on investment will be most rewarding.”

In leading states, the commission found that 40 percent of adults have an associate’s degree or higher and 33 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher. In Michigan, those percentages are 29 and 22 percent, respectively. Eight percent of the state’s adults have a master’s degree or higher, compared to the national average of 14 percent.

“To thrive economically, Michigan must now adapt and innovate to contend with global—not just national—competitors,” the report states. “To do that, Michigan must ensure that its residents are the best educated in the world and prepared for a lifetime of learning.”

Many of the commission’s recommendations affect high schools: set high expectations for high school students through rigorous standards and curriculum; equip educators and administrators to support those high expectations; create a new high school assessment to replace the Michigan Educational Assessment Program; and create a culture of entrepreneurship.

The group further recommended expanding opportunities for “early college” achievement; improving institutional completion measures; increasing the number of post-baccalaureate professionals in the state; targeting adults seeking to complete postsecondary credentials; and developing a lifelong education tracking system.

“If we achieve this goal, Michigan will win the race for economic growth and prosperity for decades to come,” Granholm said. “This report makes it clear that our state’s path to a robust economy with good paying 21st century jobs requires all our residents to complete their education beyond high school.”

The report indicates that many building blocks already are in place for an economic resurgence. With U-M leading the way, the state’s 182 higher education institutions have helped the state rank fourth nationally in total research and development expenditures; seventh in the percentage of science and engineering degrees granted each year; and ninth in patents issued.

“Today, in the first decade of a new century, Michigan must transform itself once again to be a leader in an era where knowledge is the key ingredient to economic success,” the report states. “Michigan can meet this challenge only if it has the courage to set and achieve within the next 10 years a new expectation for learning: postsecondary education for all.”

The commission said its recommendations should not be hampered by the state’s current fiscal crisis.

“While recognizing that resource limitations will affect the speed with which these recommendations will be implemented, the commission believes it is critical to set this course today and move steadily toward the future we want …” the commission concludes. “The commission believes that Michigan’s long-term economic and fiscal health can only be secured if it makes the development of a highly educated population an overarching priority.”

The full report is available at http://www.cherrycommission.org.