Center for Michigan Releases Report Tied to Lake Orion Education Conversation

The Center for Michigan has released a report based on last year's conversations about education held during community meetings across the state, including one in Lake Orion. 

On Tuesday, the Center published "The Public’s Agenda for Public Education", which represents comments gleaned from more than 250 public meetings and two scientific polls. According to "Message sent: Fix schools, send us the bill", posted Tuesday at bridgemi.com, more than 7,500 Michiganians participated in the initiative. 

Michigan State University economics professor Charles Ballard said the size of the sampling indicates the report "will be an accurate representation of public opinion on these issues.” It is being shared with state lawmakers. 

Among the findings mentioned in the bridgemi.com report: 

• Almost 75 percent of those polled during community meetings gave the public education system a grade of “C” or lower. 
• Most participants in meetings and polls think Michigan needs to invest more in education, provided the money goes toward school reforms. 

Download or read a PDF copy of "The Public's Agenda for Public Education" at bridgemi.com. "Engagement events" based on the report will be held in Lansing, Kalamazoo and at Detroit Public Television. For more information, visit thecenterformichigan.net.