September 4, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined leaders from the Genesee Early College, the Genesee Intermediate School District and the University of Michigan-Flint for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Genesee Early College.  The school is one of six across the state planned as a result of Governor Granholm's revolutionary proposal and bills she signed into law in 2007.

"Early college high schools offer students the opportunity to combine their high school education with college-level coursework allowing them to enter good-paying jobs immediately after graduation," Granholm said.  "This revolutionary approach to high school will help our kids compete and succeed in the 21st century economy."

The Governor fought for the initial funding to allow for the opening of six early college high schools, all of which focus on preparing students for jobs in the health care industry.  The schools are created through partnerships involving school districts, higher education institutions and major health care providers.  These early college high schools prepare young people to enter jobs in high-growth areas of the economy by combining high school and college level courses into a five year program.

In addition to the Genesee intermediate school district, the Washtenaw, Clare-Gladwin and Wayne intermediate school districts as well as the Detroit Public Schools are opening early college high schools this fall.  Delta-Schoolcraft intermediate school district is planning to open Michigan's sixth early college high school next year.  The governor today renewed her call for additional state support for these pioneering schools, and she continues to push for funding to create similar schools across the state.

"When young people drop out of school or end their education with only a high school diploma, they are falling behind in this competitive economic environment," Granholm said.  "Innovations like early colleges can help keep students engaged in school and help us transform Michigan's economy."

Developing early college high schools was a part of the final recommendations of the Commission on Higher Education and Economic Development, led by Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. in 2004.  Governor Granholm won funding for the first group of early college high schools in her 2006-2007 budget, and she highlighted the early college high schools concept in her 2007 State of the State address.

In addition to early college high schools, Granholm has led a number of efforts to make college and technical training more accessible to Michigan students and workers.  The Michigan Promise scholarship provides every student with the opportunity to earn $4,000 towards a college degree or technical certification.  Rigorous curriculum standards and a required college preparatory test are ensuring that every student is prepared to continue education beyond high school.

# # #