Launch Michigan

? Grants Clock Update: As of January 30, more than 93% of the $3.8 billion in grants Launch Michigan is tracking for the current fiscal year have been allocated to classrooms. Learn more and explore the Grants Clock: https://bit.ly/40xoN3S

Launch Michigan President & CEO Venessa Keesler joined the WILS Morning Wake-Up to discuss the urgency to reinvent Michigan's public education system and how Launch Michigan is positioned to work with policy leaders and education stakeholders to set students up for success. Listen here:

Governor Whitmer's state budget recommendation includes historic investments in education, additional funding for efficiencies and consolidation efforts, and increased transparency measures – holding the state accountable for better preparing our children for life beyond high school. But we have more work to do. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4k0mK0f

Since 2009, 80% of Michigan’s traditional school districts have experienced enrollment declines. The reason is no secret: The number of children in Michigan is shrinking, a trend that has major implications for the state’s education system. “Our high-water mark was 1970, when we had 2.1 million kids” in Michigan public schools, said Karen McPhee, a former superintendent of the Ottawa Area ISD and now an education consultant. “It’s now under 1.5 million, and that reality is staggering in and of itself. For the most part, I don’t believe the education field is even aware of how staggering the drop has been.” Statewide enrollment in 2023-24 was around 1.4 million, down from nearly 1.5 million in 2019-20. And it’s only going to get worse: In 2023, Michigan recorded 97,696 births, the lowest number since the 1930s and a 10% decline over the past decade. The downward trend shows no sign of turning around, says Jaclyn Butler, a demographer for the State of Michigan. “For our youngest population, age zero to 24, we’re projecting persistent decline through 2050,” she said. It’s part of a larger picture of troubling demographic trends in Michigan, McPhee said. “There’s no doubt that we’re getting older, we’re getting smaller, we’re getting poorer,” she said. “No state is going to go out there and advertise that, right? So the lack of public conversation about what is happening is understandable, but at our own peril.” The shrinking student population is just one reason Michigan needs to rethink its K-12 system, says Venessa Keesler, a former state deputy superintendent and now CEO of Launch Michigan, a bipartisan nonprofit created by the business community to advocate for systemic education reform. During the past quarter century, Michigan has fallen behind other states in academic outcomes. Not so coincidentally, many experts say, during that same timeframe, Michigan ranked 50th among the 50 states for K-12 funding increases. Read more about what's next for Michigan schools in this month's Crain's Forum, reported by Julie Mack with portraits by Nic Antaya: https://lnkd.in/gw-qERV7

Michigan student test scores are lagging behind those in other states. By investing in research-based reading curricula, proven instructional practices, and hands-on classroom support, we can set students up for success. Read more from Launch Michigan President and CEO Venessa Keesler:

? Grants Clock Update: As of January 1, more than 92% of the $3.8 billion in grants Launch Michigan is tracking for the current fiscal year have been allocated to classrooms. Learn more and explore the Grants Clock: https://bit.ly/40xoN3S

ICYMI: Watch the first Launch Michigan Learning Session webinar on Michigan graduation requirements and lessons from other states:

Did you miss the last Launch Michigan Learning Session on accountability and assessment? Watch the full webinar recording and catch up on the insights:

TODAY: In support of Michigan’s work to define the Michigan Education Guarantee, Launch Michigan is hosting a series of virtual learning sessions. Join us on January 6 at noon for the third session about accountability and assessment. Register here: https://bit.ly/49MRGwa

REMINDER: In support of Michigan’s work to define the Michigan Education Guarantee, Launch Michigan is hosting a series of virtual learning sessions. Join us on January 6 at noon for the third session about accountability and assessment. Register here: https://bit.ly/49MRGwa