Comments on: Public Investments are the Priority http://www.michiganfuture.org/10/2009/public-investments-are-the-priority/ Creating a Prosperous Michigan Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:55:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Lou Glazer http://www.michiganfuture.org/10/2009/public-investments-are-the-priority/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Lou Glazer Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:36:20 +0000 http://www.michiganfuture.org/?p=398#comment-110 A previous comment argued that we should make retaining and attracting talent the priority, because ultimately what matters is where folks choose to live and work after college, not where they went to school. I responded that preparing talent – teaching and learning – needs also to be a priority as much for moral reasons as well as economic. I think the same is true for pre school. If your goal is economic – growing a high prosperity Michigan – then higher ed and quality of place are the priorities. But there is a compelling moral case for insuring that all children from birth have a real opportunity to fully participate in the economy of the future. Tough choice in an era of limited resources. What is clear is the longer it takes us to increase the proportion of adults living in Michigan with a four-year degree or more, we will be a poor state. And poor states have less resources for pre school and everything else. A previous comment argued that we should make retaining and attracting talent the priority, because ultimately what matters is where folks choose to live and work after college, not where they went to school. I responded that preparing talent – teaching and learning – needs also to be a priority as much for moral reasons as well as economic.

I think the same is true for pre school. If your goal is economic – growing a high prosperity Michigan – then higher ed and quality of place are the priorities. But there is a compelling moral case for insuring that all children from birth have a real opportunity to fully participate in the economy of the future. Tough choice in an era of limited resources. What is clear is the longer it takes us to increase the proportion of adults living in Michigan with a four-year degree or more, we will be a poor state. And poor states have less resources for pre school and everything else.

]]> By: Annemarie Harris http://www.michiganfuture.org/10/2009/public-investments-are-the-priority/comment-page-1/#comment-107 Annemarie Harris Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:15:48 +0000 http://www.michiganfuture.org/?p=398#comment-107 I absolutely agree that public investments are the priority. Michigan will stabilize and grow when we substantially invest in education and quality of life strategies, as you've stated. I believe, however, that the focus in education should be on early childhood education. While higher education might be the ultimate goal, learning begins at birth. The first five years are a critical time to establish a strong foundation, ensuring success in school and life. Our priority in education should be investing in quality preschool and child care, and providing parents with the support they need to support their child's learning and development prior to the school years. I absolutely agree that public investments are the priority. Michigan will stabilize and grow when we substantially invest in education and quality of life strategies, as you’ve stated. I believe, however, that the focus in education should be on early childhood education. While higher education might be the ultimate goal, learning begins at birth. The first five years are a critical time to establish a strong foundation, ensuring success in school and life. Our priority in education should be investing in quality preschool and child care, and providing parents with the support they need to support their child’s learning and development prior to the school years.

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