Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer rolled out a groundbreaking new initiative: the establishment of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, known as MiLEAP. The new department is geared toward revitalizing and invigorating the state’s education system, focusing heavily on early childhood and higher education, with the goal of bolstering Michigan’s economy and combating sluggish population growth.
“Every Michigander deserves a path to ‘make it in Michigan’ with strong, lifelong learning support,” said Whitmer. “For too long, we have thought of education as K-12, but we know that’s not good enough. I’m establishing MiLEAP today because we need to get every kid started early, in pre-K, so they succeed in kindergarten, have paths after graduation to get higher education tuition-free, and forge strong partnerships with our employers so they can get a good-paying, high-skill, and in-demand job. MiLEAP will help our learning ecosystem take the jump to the next level as we grow our economy and build a brighter future for Michigan.”
MiLEAP’s emphasis on early learning and higher education aims to improve long-term student outcomes, foster talent, and stimulate economic growth. But the question on many parents’ minds will be: What does this mean for my child?
From the age of 2, MiLEAP will support families with young children by granting them access to quality, affordable childcare. This coordination of resources will ensure that Michigan’s youngest learners are kindergarten ready. Additionally, the recent bipartisan budget promises pre-K availability for all 4-year-olds, emphasizing the importance of early education.
At the age of 12, MiLEAP will ensure Michigan public school students have the community support they need to reach their full potential. The department will facilitate access to affordable before- and after-school programs catered to their interests. Through these programs, students will be better informed about their post-high school education options and future career paths.
By the time they reach 22, MiLEAP aims to provide low- or no-cost paths for students to earn an affordable education in an in-demand field. The department will offer essential support to help them graduate on time and pursue fulfilling careers within the state.
A chief concern of Whitmer’s administration, and a focal point for MiLEAP, is to level the playing field. Advocates of the initiative say that too often, opportunity is tethered to privilege – who you know, the size of your wallet, or where you live.
This new department is structured around three main goals:
- Strengthening our early learning capacities, ensuring every child enters kindergarten ready.
- Accelerating progress towards our Sixty by 30 goal, enabling everyone to earn a skill certificate or degree tuition-free after high school.
- Fostering community, regional, and state partnerships to support student success.
To fulfill these goals, MiLEAP is segmented into three offices, each with a specific focus and mandate, and will be led by a director appointed by the governor.
The Office of Early Childhood Education will lead efforts to ensure young children reach key developmental milestones, overseeing statewide programs and policies relating to early learning, family engagement, pre-K, and childcare.
The Office of Higher Education will spearhead efforts to ensure Michiganders acquire the skill certificates or degrees needed to thrive, helping employers to secure the talent they need. This office will also administer state student financial aid and work to increase college enrollment, graduation, and attainment rates.
Considering this significant announcement from Whitmer about the formation MiLEAP, key figures in Michigan’s academic community have voiced their support. Among them is Dr. Curtis L. Ivery, Chancellor of the Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD), who has come forward to applaud this bold initiative.
“This decisive action recognizes and supports that every Michiganian deserves to explore, learn, grow and develop the skills they need to thrive. This strategic decision and investment benefits both today, and for the long-term future of Michigan,” said Ivery.
Ivery’s endorsement of MiLEAP adds further credibility to this new initiative and underscores the positive reception it has received within Michigan’s education community. As the leader of one of the state’s most significant community college districts, his support also speaks to the potential benefits of MiLEAP for community colleges and their students, particularly in terms of expanded access to affordable education and enhanced career opportunities.
“We look forward to this partnership of bringing this strategic coordinaVon to advance the ‘whole person’ in Michigan educational experiences,” said Ivery.
The Office of Education Partnerships will concentrate on building and maintaining partnerships that enhance educational opportunities and outcomes throughout the state, from preschool to postsecondary education.
As Michiganders, it is a pivotal time for our education system. This is not just about progress, but about shaping an educational infrastructure that genuinely delivers for every single child in our state, from their first steps into a preschool classroom right through to them stepping onto the stage to receive their college diploma. Whitmer’s establishment of MiLEAP signals a promising step in the right direction for Michigan’s future.