Early college high schools, small high schools will benefit students in 21st century economy
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined Pontiac area leaders on a tour of St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital to discuss how the state can help Pontiac Public Schools create new high schools that will connect students in the district to a college education and good- paying jobs.
"Michigan's future is dependent upon our ability to provide all children with a quality education that helps them succeed," Granholm said. "These high schools will use strong personal relationships, rigor, and real-world relevance to help our kids compete and prepare them for college, the workplace, and beyond."
In the governor's 2008 State of the State address, she unveiled a plan to establish a 21st Century Schools Fund, a $300 million investment to help Michigan school districts replace large, impersonal high schools that have low academic achievement and high drop out rates, with small high schools that use relationships, firm discipline, and relevance to help at-risk students achieve high academic goals that prepare them for the 21st century economy.
The governor has already won the initial funding for six early college high schools operating in Michigan, each focusing on preparing students for jobs in the health care industry. The schools are created through partnerships involving school districts, higher education institutions, and major health care providers. These early college high schools prepare young people to enter jobs in high-growth areas of the economy by combining high school and college level courses into a five year program. Developing early college high schools was part of the final recommendations of the Commission on Higher Education and Economic Development led by Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. in 2004.
Granholm also said the 21st Century Schools Fund will lead to the creation of more of these early college high schools across the state.
"The states with the highest education level have the most thriving economies and lowest unemployment rates," Granholm said. "Innovations like early colleges and smaller high schools can help keep students engaged in school and help us transform Michigan's economy."
In addition to early college high schools and the introduction of the smaller high school concept, Granholm has led a number of efforts to make college and technical training more accessible to Michigan students and workers. The Michigan Promise scholarship provides every student with the opportunity to earn $4,000 towards a college degree or technical certification. Rigorous high school graduation requirements and a required college admissions test are ensuring that every student is prepared to continue education beyond high school.
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