Michigan Scholars Are Ready for Business

The Michigan Scholars program brings business leaders into the state’s classrooms, while working with educators to motivate students to complete a strengthened course of study along with the required core high school classes—one that will give them a boost in college and careers. Michigan Scholars is supported by the U.S. Department of Education and coordinated by the Michigan Business Leaders for Education Excellence. Partner organizations include the Office of Governor Granholm; Michigan Department of Education; Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan; Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals; Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA); Dow Chemical Company; and the Partnership for Learning.

The Michigan Scholars program was created to address a particular reality—businesses and our economy are demanding more of workers. In addition, workers today need more skill, a more flexible knowledge base and, above all, a greater capacity to learn than at any time in history. Michigan companies will require this, and the quick-changing global economy will demand it.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, all employees will need some postsecondary education—most often an associate’s or bachelor’s degree—to qualify for most of the nation’s fastest-growing occupations. Even those individuals who don’t go on to college will benefit from a strong academic background as the training in many fields, from computer technology and auto mechanics to nursing, becomes increasingly complex.

In 2005, Michigan Scholars piloted programs to encourage students to commit to the Michigan Scholars Course of Study in Saginaw City Schools, Howell Public Schools, and Lansing Public Schools. The program is rapidly expanding and will add another 30 schools in the coming year. Along with state and business incentives, these communities are working to develop support for students who are pursuing the Michigan Scholars course of study and are offering recognition and rewards for students who complete the Course of Study. Students completing the Michigan Scholars Course of Study are eligible for additional scholarships for postsecondary education through the new American Competitiveness Grant program.

For those interested in planning and promoting a Scholars program in their community—including business leaders, teachers, administrators, parents, and students—the Michigan Scholars Web site offers a Program Guide & Toolkit. The documents that outline strategies for pre-implementation, implementation, and follow-up are available for online viewing or downloading.

For more information, visit: www.michiganscholars.org or call toll-free 1 (866) MI-SCHOLARS.