I know we complain a great deal about the lack of regional focus and collaboration in addressing the challenges in transforming our region, but it’s time to celebrate some of our progress. As Michigan -- and more specifically, Southeastern Michigan -- competes for economic development opportunities, a prepared workforce is always mentioned as a necessary component.
As we review what has to take place to strengthen our employment opportunities, education, and talent attraction and retention always end up among the proposed solutions. At the same time, it will come as no surprise that one of the issues we struggle with both regionally and statewide is unacceptable graduation rates from our K-12 school systems, especially in our urban and economically challenged districts.
Through extensive community outreach and substantial resident input, our region identified educational preparedness as a significant priority. It is one of three focus areas of United Way for Southeastern Michigan's Agenda for Change, along with financial stability and basic needs. One D, the consortium of organizations dedicated to addressing the most pressing issues in our region, also established educational preparedness as one of its five major priorities and decided to tackle the issue during a two day Dropout Prevention Summit to explore solutions.
I am proud to say that United Way took the lead in organizing the conference, and partnered with our One D colleagues, New Detroit and the Detroit Regional Chamber, as well as the Skillman Foundation, the Detroit Parent Network and our hosts, Lawrence Technological University. The mission was to advance the turnaround effort in 35 high schools in the region that have a drop out rate of 40 percent or higher. Edsel Ford II, One D's lead champion, kicked off the conference, and other leaders participated during the event, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Mike Flanagan, the state Department of Education's superintendent of public instruction, Connie Calloway, general superintendent of Detroit Public Schools and David Hecker, president of AFT Michigan.
The conference convened several experts from across the country with experience in successfully working with districts to improve student achievement and graduation rates. The experts presented their ideas to approximately 150 officials from DPS, suburban school districts and students, as well as representatives from foundations, businesses and organized labor. The conference format allowed participants significant time to discuss the approaches that had been successful elsewhere and begin the planning for our region’s turnaround.
There was lots of discussion about the importance of early childhood development to success later in school, which is something the Women’s Initiative of United Way identified as a critical success factor -- and we chose to focus our energy on this area. No doubt, our work will be a part of the multi-faceted solution and will ultimately contribute to this effort's success.
The excitement and enthusiasm throughout the event was unbelievable, as over 300 interested parties began to imagine our success and envision our future progress. Even during session breaks, the hallways were buzzing as attendees chatted about ideas to help each student in our region succeed in school.
It’s a new day in Southeastern Michigan and high-time we approach issues of importance as a team. This will take hard work and long-term commitment. But with the type of collaborative leadership this conference showcased, I am betting on the success of the home team.
Leslie Murphy President & CEO, Murphy Consulting
and Member, United Way Women's Initiative
Labels: Educational_Preparedness, monthly enewsletter, Womens_Initiative
