Jocelyn Benson Previews Education Agenda at Saginaw Roundtable with Education Leaders, Parents, Students
“Just like I reformed our Secretary of State offices, I know how to take on big issues in education and get things done.”
Yesterday, gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson previewed her comprehensive plan to bring Michigan’s public education system into the top 10 nationwide during a roundtable in Saginaw. She was joined by Michigan Board of Education President Dr. Pam Pugh, Saginaw Public Schools Superintendent Ramont Roberts, Saginaw Public Schools Board President Dr. Charles Coleman, as well as local parents and teachers.
“I’m here as a mom of an eight year old little boy who, in 10 years, is going to be 18, and everything we do over the next 10 years is going to define his childhood, and it’s going to define the childhood of kids Saginaw and Flint all across the state and their futures, and whether they have a future they can build here in Michigan, that they can thrive in Michigan. So I come here with a sense of urgency, and to emphasize that every day, every year, that problems go unsolved and issues go unmet for kids in our communities, is a year where they’ve lost,” said Benson. “Too often we look at rankings to see our schools in the bottom 10. I want every metric for us to be in the top 10. And as a mom, as a daughter of educators, and as an educator myself, this is personal and this is urgent.”
Benson outlined her priorities as governor for strengthening Michigan’s public schools. Her plan which includes:
- Transitioning to a weighted funding formula that recognizes the diverse needs of students and communities — because, as Benson noted, “a child in Alpena has different funding needs than a child from Grand Rapids.”
- Increasing investment in dual enrollment and Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities, so all students can earn college credit or industry credentials while still in high school.
- Launching MiCare, a universal, full-day, five-day-per-week early childhood education system modeled on successful programs from other states and countries.
- Ensuring Michigan’s elementary education system prepares children to read by expanding access to ongoing teacher training in LETRS early literacy and the state’s Literacy and Mathematics Essentials.
Benson continued, “I know it’s easy for folks to come in and have these big ideas for education, but I’m ready to get it done because not just because I grew up in public education, not just because I’m an educator myself, but because I know every day that we don’t spend trying to make Michigan one of the top 10 states for education in the country is a day where we’re falling behind. So I’m eager to get this done…just like I worked to improve our election system, taking us from being ranked 31st in the nation to being number two, and just like I reformed our Secretary of State branch offices to make them among the best and most efficient government offices in the country, I know how to take on and tackle big issues and get things done.”
Benson’s passion for education is rooted in her personal and professional background. As the daughter of two special education teachers, she saw firsthand the dedication of educators — and the consequences when they aren’t heard or respected. As an educator herself, she served as Dean of Wayne State University Law School, where she led the institution from the fourth tier of national law school rankings into the top 50, lowered tuition costs, and put student needs at the center of reform. She’s also the mother of a nine year old boy, who will spend the next decade going through Michigan’s education system. Every decision on education made today shapes that future, for him, and for kids like him all across this state.