Launch Michigan, the statewide coalition of diverse organizations, including CMF, who are working together in support of improving student outcomes has launched a survey to gather insights from Michigan educators.

The survey is aimed at getting feedback and perspectives from educators across the state to inform Launch Michigan’s work in developing policy recommendations that will be shared with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature.

“Michigan can learn from other states that have experienced academic gains as the result of good education policy. But these lessons must be grounded in local context. That means engaging our educators early in shaping solutions at both the local and state levels,” Tonya Allen, co-chair of Launch Michigan and president and CEO of The Skillman Foundation said.

Launch Michigan shared in a press release that feedback from the online survey will help address issues including literacy, educator support, accountability and school funding.

“We owe it to our students and our professional colleagues to take part in a survey like this,” Paula Herbart, co-chair of Launch Michigan and president, Michigan Education Association said. “For years, educators have wished for policymakers to ask them – the experts on the front lines – what’s needed to help students succeed. Launch Michigan is asking those questions, and I’m hoping every Michigan educator shares their views.”

The survey is modeled after a similar one used in Tennessee, a state that is widely regarded as a model for education improvement according to Launch Michigan.

“Listening to our workforce isn’t new for businesses – in fact, it’s an essential part of success,” Doug Rothwell co-chair, Launch Michigan and president and CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan. “If our state’s education workforce has needs, we need to hear about them and address them. It’s critical to the success of Launch Michigan and our goal of helping every student get the education they deserve. And that’s critical to the success of our state.”

The survey is the first of Launch Michigan’s five priorities, which states: “We will listen to and support educators and work together to build a stronger education system for Michigan students. To guide our decisions about how best to assist them, we will leverage existing research and conduct a statewide educator engagement survey.”

Launch Michigan’s other priorities include:

• Supporting shared, statewide, research-driven strategies for delivering effective education that serve all students and sticking to those strategies beyond election cycles to see what really works.

• Supporting a fair accountability system that includes everyone who influences education.

• Elevating public awareness about the current state of education in Michigan and the need to take immediate and collective action to improve it.

• Working together to ensure resources are available to provide an equitable student-centered education system and funding model.

Launch Michigan anticipates releasing an analysis of the survey responses this spring.

Want more?

Learn more about Launch Michigan.

Connect with CMF’s P-20 Education Affinity Group.