Education
To say Michigan has fallen on tough economic times is an understatement. Responsible leaders and the public rightly agree that economic development and job creation must be the top priority of Michigan’s next governor.
However, Virg believes this emphasis on the economy must not mean losing focus on educating our kids. As Virg says: Education IS Economic Development. Excellent schools attract businesses and families to our communities. Investing in our kids arms them with the tools to succeed in a global economy and makes Michigan’s workforce more competitive—drawing more businesses here. Our world class universities are creating new cutting edge products which hold tremendous economic potential. And a better-educated Michigan workforce can earn and spend more at Michigan businesses.
A strong public education system is the cornerstone of what academics call upward social mobility -- otherwise known as the American Dream. For many kids on Main Street, a good education is their only hope for a better life. For our state, good education is our only hope to help reverse the erosion of our middle class way of life.
Strengthening education from early-education to higher-education must be a pillar on which Michigan’s economic recovery is built.
Virg understands: Education IS Economic Development!
Summary of Virg Bernero's Education Plan:
- Expand access to Pre-K education with the goal that every 4-year-old in Michigan in the year 2020 will be enrolled in high-quality preschool
- Full-Day Kindergarten
- An all-out attack on the drop out rate
- Hold parents accountable for the attendance of their children in school
- Create "right track academies" where disruptive and truant children can go to get the education and help they need
- Increase the availability of before- and after-school programs for elementary school children
- Expand students' graduation options through creative partnerships with community colleges in career and technical fields and with alternative schools so that students have another way to earn a high school diploma
- Provide career and technology training for 21st Century jobs
- For students who are incarcerated, tie their release to high school graduation at the end of their sentences
- Keep Class Sizes Small
- LTT: Let Teachers Teach
- Pay for it: Consolidate administrative and purchasing services within the state's 500+ school districts, allowing dollars to filter down to the classroom level to bridge the gap between high-achieving and low-achieving school districts
- Provide stable, predictable funding to school districts, colleges, and universities
- Restore the Michigan Promise, increase access to higher education, and strengthen partnerships between universities and state government to prevent tuition increases
Click here to read the entire Education Plan
Education is not only a priority to Virg Bernero, it’s also personal. His wife Teri is an educator with more than 20 years of experience in the public school system.
Virg Bernero understands that education is fundamental to rebuilding Michigan. The disregard for education that we’ve seen from our current state lawmakers is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in a Bernero Administration.