MiLEAP to help Michigan children excel in education throughout life
MiLEAP to help Michigan children excel in education throughout life Cadillac News
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A Report on the Establishment of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP)
Introduction
A newly formed state department is looking to aid Michigan children in education throughout the early stages of their lives, teen years, and as young adults. On Tuesday, July 11, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order establishing the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, or MiLEAP, to help expand Michiganders’ paths to success by offering strong, lifelong learning support. Whitmer emphasized that education in the 21st Century has to start before kindergarten and continue after high school graduation.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Establishing MiLEAP aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education. MiLEAP aims to ensure every child has access to early education, affordable higher education, and good-paying job opportunities. By focusing on lifelong learning, MiLEAP contributes to the overall development and well-being of Michigan’s children.
What Will That Mean for Michigan Children?
When a child turns 2, MiLEAP will help families get access to quality, affordable child care by coordinating resources for Michigan’s youngest learners. It also aims to create free pre-K programs, enabling 2-year-olds to start learning early and ensuring they are prepared for kindergarten.
When a child turns 12, MiLEAP will ensure public school students in Michigan have the community support they need to reach their full potential. This includes providing affordable before- and after-school programming that aligns with their interests. MiLEAP will also help students explore future career paths during their after-school programs, eliminating uncertainty about post-high school education.
When a child turns 22, MiLEAP will create low- or no-cost paths for students to earn an affordable education in high-demand fields. The department will also provide support to help students graduate on time and pursue fulfilling careers in Michigan.
How Will MiLEAP Do Its Job?
MiLEAP consists of three offices, each focusing on specific goals:
- The Office of Early Childhood Education: This office aims to ensure all children meet their developmental milestones and enter kindergarten ready to thrive.
- The Office of Higher Education: This office focuses on achieving the state’s Sixty by 30 goal, which aims to provide skill certificates or degrees tuition-free to all Michiganders after high school.
- The Office of Education Partnerships: This office prioritizes building strong partnerships with communities, regions, and the state to support Michigan students’ success.
MiLEAP will collaborate with the Michigan Department of Education, State Board of Education, universities, and community colleges to complement their long-term planning efforts. The department will also work with the Growing Michigan Together Council to strengthen preschool to postsecondary learning and contribute to the state’s economy and population growth.
Conclusion
The establishment of MiLEAP signifies Michigan’s commitment to providing lifelong learning opportunities for its children. By focusing on early childhood education, affordable higher education, and strong partnerships, MiLEAP aims to empower Michigan students to succeed and contribute to the state’s sustainable development. It is crucial that MiLEAP ensures equitable access to programs, resources, and funding for rural communities like Cadillac, as emphasized by Cadillac Area Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Brown.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education.
- SDG 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
- SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 4.2: Percentage of children aged 3-5 years enrolled in pre-primary education.
- Indicator for SDG 4.4: Percentage of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill.
- Indicator for SDG 8.5: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education. | Percentage of children aged 3-5 years enrolled in pre-primary education. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. | Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities. |
| 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship. | Percentage of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill. | |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: cadillacnews.com
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