Governor John Engler's Second Electronic Address to the Legislature
February 4, 1998
Recently, in the first-ever electronic address to the State Legislature, I outlined a
forward-looking five point plan to create and sustain the high-tech, high-demand,
high-paying jobs of the 21st century in Michigan. One critical plank in that plan is the
role technology can play in helping to make Michigan schools the best in the world. Being
first in the 21st century demands that Michigan have an innovative strategy to harness the
power of technology as we train the next generation of scientists, engineers and other
workers who are the backbone of our economy.
To sustain our technology-based economic development strategy, Michigan needs a
workforce capable of filling positions in these emerging industry sectors. At the same
time, improvements in technology go hand in hand with other efforts to improve the overall
quality of public education in Michigan. Students must have access not just to Michigan's
best teachers but to the world's best teachers, and technology makes it possible. In
addition, the plan I am outlining today will help ensure that world-class education
courses and training programs of the 21st century are developed and exported by Michigan's
best and brightest educators.
Our Challenge -- Putting Technology to Work in the Classroom
Michigan's system of higher education is undoubtedly one of the world's best. We also
have many outstanding and truly national models of teaching innovation throughout our K-12
system. My goal is to make these resources available statewide. Technology can bring the
best and brightest educators -- our "master teachers" -- and learning programs to
all our state's children.
In January, the Kellogg Foundation, in partnership with the Kresge Foundation, the Dow
Foundation, the Michigan Council of Foundations, convened 40 of the state's most
thoughtful and innovative information technology leaders to help develop a vision for
their industry in Michigan in the 21st century. They also discussed an action plan of
recommendations to accomplish that vision.
This "Michigan Information Technology Commission," will be meeting over the
next several months to refine their vision and recommendations. This bipartisan group
-- which includes representatives from labor and industry, government and education -- has
one goal: to develop a shared vision that improves lives and adds value whether in the
classroom, library, hospital, home or workplace. The focus is not just on connecting
"wires and computers," but it is a vision about making Michigan a national
leader in the use of information technology.
Our Vision of a Connected Michigan
Highlights of what the commission believes a "connected" Michigan of the 21st
century ought to look like and ways information technology can help us achieve our goals
include:
- ensuring that EVERY Michigan child has an equal educational opportunity;
- removing current boundaries so that any student anywhere in the state can have access to
the best and brightest teachers and educators -- no matter where those educators live and
regardless of school district, university or company affiliation;
- creating a climate in which readiness assessments, achievement measures and tools, texts
and other media are available not just in class but also at home;
- providing citizens with the access and motivation needed to achieve basic technology
literacy;
- allowing Michigan's education system to set global standards for literacy rates;
- enhancing the ability of Michigan citizens to lead productive lives and reach their full
potential;
- making it possible for Michigan to become a major creator, producer, and exporter of
information technology itself, in the forms of hardware, software, networking, and
interactive learning systems;
- creating a synergy between a tech-savvy workforce and business development so that
Michigan becomes one of the nation's largest high-tech industry centers;
- developing a seamless information system connecting all public and private enterprise
sectors in the state; and,
- creating an atmosphere where change is more easily embraced in Michigan.
Clearly, our vision for the role of technology is as broad as it is positive and
far-reaching. This is about much more than simply teaching kids how to use technology.
Indeed, any parent knows that kids already know technology and adapt to new technologies
faster than any of us aging baby-boomers who still struggle with programming the VCR.
Our vision is about using technology for more efficient and effective learning in all
disciplines and producing expanded learning opportunities through technology for all
Michigan learners. We must understand that our success in the future does not depend on
our children's ability to use technology; it depends on their ability to understand math,
science, reading and writing. Technology in education must help us improve performance and
ability in these critical areas. If it does not, our investment in technology will not pay
off.
Dr. Peter Lyman, a renowned University of California-- Berkeley technology expert (and
former professor at Michigan State University), notes that "technology does not
automatically add value or increase productivity in any sector." Computers, modems
and networks are not a magic bullet in and of themselves for education or any other
sector.
Dr. Lyman points out that organizations that have made huge leaps forward through
technology -- businesses, hospitals, schools -- are those that have re-engineered their
entire enterprise around technology. However, when it comes to public education in
Michigan, re-engineering the entire system around technology is not a viable option.
While wholesale reengineering is not our strategy, there are specific applications in
which technology can make a difference. Indeed, our efforts must focus on providing the
resources our schools and universities need to maximize the return on investment in
education technology.
What Michigan Has Already Accomplished
In this regard, let's review what Michigan has already accomplished:
- Greater equity. Proposal A helped bring greater equity in the level of financial
resources schools have to invest in technology. Most importantly, the more than 80 percent
reduction in school operating millages gave school districts the capacity to ask voters to
approve bond issues and county-wide enhancement millages to fund capital investments in
technology and infrastructure improvement. In particular, urban areas with high millage
rates have benefitted the most from the Proposal A tax cut.
- Funding up by $4 billion. Since 1990, state and local spending on K-12 public
education in Michigan has climbed by 50 percent, reaching a record-high $11.8 billion.
- $1 billion for schools. With the settlement of the 17-year-old Durant case,
Michigan schools will receive more than $1 billion -- the biggest one-time infusion of cash
into our public schools and a new source of funding for technology and training.
- Dial-in access to the Internet, local networks and interactive video. The
Ameritech "Shareable Earnings" telephone rate settlement generated some $26
million to schools for technology and leveraged hundreds of millions of dollars in local
funds to build Internet access throughout the state. These funds directly enabled some 98%
of Michigan schools to have dial-in access to the Internet and facilitated the growth of
local and regional networks that continue to grow today. This investment also seeded the
growth of an interactive video system that now connects every community college in
Michigan.
- 90% discounts on technology. In 1997, Governor Engler signed legislation to
ensure that all Michigan schools would be eligible for funding from the Universal Service
Fund. Michigan's most at-risk schools are eligible for 90% discounts on the installation
and operating costs associated with wiring and connecting their classrooms to the
information superhighway. All schools will be eligible for at least a 20% discount. We've
established, through our Michigan Information Network Office, a listserv information
clearinghouse so schools can learn how to apply for this assistance and have questions
answered. In addition, schools are eligible to save money by pooling their purchases using
state government contracts for telecommunications services to ensure equity for education
regardless of location.
- Wide range of other resources. In addition to many private foundations, support
for technology in schools is also available through federal programs like the Technology
Literacy Fund, Goals 2000 and the Title I program. Recent changes to the IRS Tax Code
allowing companies to deduct donations of computer equipment to schools that are no
greater than two years old will provide unprecedented levels of new support.
- Virtual Automotive College. At the higher education level, we launched the
nation's first Virtual Automotive College. After just one, MVAC has nearly 2000 students
enrolled -- helping to train existing auto industry workers.
I also commend Michigan State University President Peter McPherson for his leadership
in launching a series of regional conferences to help K-12 administrators, educators and
other community leaders thoughtfully analyze critical technology issues. Already, the
first conference will be on March 19, at the Kent Intermediate School District in Grand
Rapids. In coming months, other conferences will be held in Traverse City, the Detroit
area and Lansing.
Finally, I encourage legislators to attend an MSU leadership forum on the "Costs
and Benefits of Implementing Technology in K-12 Education" in Lansing on February 10.
As always, MSU continues to fulfill its mission as America's premier land grant
institution of higher education.
While my education technology plan calls for additional investments that improve public
access to technology for all citizens and improving the availability of resources for
classroom innovation and training, our challenge is not a financial one. Our challenge is
rethinking existing priorities and institutional structures, better coordinating
investments regionally and statewide and having real technology applications that improve
learning drive local investment decisions.
The 7-Step Michigan Technology Empowerment Plan
Our Michigan Technology Empowerment Plan enhances the use of technology in education by
providing access, training and development support that will seed the growth of innovative
and more effective learning applications. Last month, I committed to follow-up on the
recommendations made by the Education Technology Advisory Group and this 7-Step
Empowerment plan is a reflection of my commitment to move forward in implementing that
plan.
Step 1: Establish 200 Public Virtual Learning Campuses by The Year 2000
Through a competitive process, we will provide 100 challenge grants of $10,000 each to
schools, libraries, or other community-based centers in 1998 and another 100 in 1999 to
help expand the availability of technology to all learners in Michigan regardless of
socioeconomic status. Enterprising schools might choose to open their doors at night or on
weekends so that their technology investments can truly become community resources
available to all. Grant dollars would be available to help off-set the cost of opening
such facilities or for expanding and improving technology at existing locations that
already provide public access.
Step 2: Send more resources directly to the classroom by providing at least 200
"Nextday" Innovation Grants a Year Directly to our State's most Creative
Teachers
Under this competitive grant program, teachers will be eligible for up to $10,000
awards for the next three years. Dollars must be used for classroom innovation. No dollars
will be siphoned off for administrative costs or other non-classroom activities. The only
mandate will be to require winning teachers to establish plans to expand and disseminate
their creative use of technology throughout their school districts.
Step 3: Establish Statewide Technology Training Programs for Teachers, Administrators,
School Board Members and Parents
Awareness of emerging technology applications is critical for local decision makers.
Often times, local districts make decisions with limited information and public pressure
to simply "get more technology in the schools." In addition to providing
introductory training programs for teachers, this program will include forums that
spotlight technology trends, best practices, funding opportunities, etc.
Step 4: Expand Universal Service Fund Information Clearinghouse to Include
Grant-Writing Assistance and Technology Funding Information
Available through governmental and private sources which have been collaborating on a
mostly informal basis to share information. A modest grant will improve and expand such
dissemination efforts.
Step 5: Develop an Advanced Placement Virtual Learning Academy
I challenge our state's community colleges, colleges and universities to develop a
program that can be made available on a statewide basis. I have no doubt that private
sector organizations that provide education services would be very interested in
collaborating on such a project. Our bottom line: Every student should have the
opportunity to benefit from advanced placement courses regardless of location.
Step 6: Encourage Business Community to Provide Grants to Support Development of K-12
Virtual/Technology-Based Classes
My goal is to have more businesses take an active and constructive role in promoting
the use of technology in our schools. Michigan-based corporations should support model
technology-based learning programs and help sponsor their development for specific
subjects that affect their industries. An automaker, for example, could sponsor the
development of technology-based physics or math courses and spotlight the best outcomes.
Goal 7: Create the Michigan Virtual University (MVU)
Building upon the success of the Michigan Virtual Automotive College (MVAC), the
mission of MVU will be to ensure that high-quality, convenient and cost-effective
education and training is available to meet the needs of Michigan's core industries. MVU
will not issue its own degrees or certificates. Like MVAC, it will serve as a broker
between colleges, universities and training providers, and the current and prospective
industry employees needing more efficient access to the education and training provided by
these entities. Their initial focus will be to customize and package courses for
individual companies.
Several states have moved to create their own version of a virtual university but have
taken a general education approach. In contrast, the Michigan Virtual University concept
is unique in that its initial focus is to train workers for specific core industries in
the state. Most importantly, MVU is not a threat but a partner to existing Michigan
institutions. These dollars will not only go toward start-up costs of MVU, but will also
provide for collaborative technology-based course development projects with Michigan
universities. MVU will also oversee the implementation of the K-12 technology initiatives
to accelerate their impact and to help spur the growth of the infrastructure ultimately
needed to expand the use of MVU throughout the state.
Michigan's Future -- The Information State
Although technology has transformed the workplace of most Americans, the workplace of
teachers (both at the K-12 and higher-ed levels) has remained relatively unchanged by
technology. It's clear, however, that change is coming, and Michigan must lead the way.
Indeed, we have a unique opportunity for our world-class educational institutions to be
cutting-edge catalysts in making Michigan the Information State.
Working together, we can harness the power of new technology. We can make education
technology applications available statewide. We can make sure that teacher training is
state of the art. We can involve the business community in encouraging the use and
development of the latest teaching tools. And we can make Michigan home to the nation's
finest virtual university.
If we take these steps, Michigan minds will power the 21st century just as our hands
did in the 20th century by putting America on wheels. Certainly, Michigan will always make
things, and with the power of technology in our schools, we will make them better.
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