1. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning West Michigan Michigan Regional Adult Learning Forum WELCOME!

2. A Case for Change in Michigan Marcia Black-Watson Deputy Director – Employers Bureau of Workforce Transformation Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning West Michigan Michigan Regional Adult Learning Forum

3. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning More than 20 leaders from adult education, including community colleges, from across MI Meeting monthly and more frequently in small groups to discuss transformation Goal: set of comprehensive policy recommendations presented by mid-Sept. 2008 Adult Learning Workgroup

4. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning Unanimous willingness to work across program boundaries, out of “silos” Agreement that current system is not meeting the needs of many of MI’s adults Willingness to work hard between meetings, making key contributions to research, sub-committees and presentations Pleasant surprises:

5. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning Guiding Principles 1.High School Diploma or GED is the beginning, not the end, of an adult’s educational path 2.Far-reaching changes in Michigan’s economy require far-reaching changes in its adult learning infrastructure 3.A shared vision of Michigan’s future among key stakeholders in education, business, and government is essential

6. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning * Definitions Level 1: Below basic literacy or functionally illiterate. Level 2: Possess basic literacy skills or able to perform simple, everyday literacy activities. What’s the Situation? Levels 1 & 2 Literacy = 44% W/O HSD or GED = 17.5%

7. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning 2,000,000 Nearly 2,000,000 working-age adults in Michigan have earned a GED or HSD but have not entered college

8. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning 1.2 million Michigan adults lack the skills necessary to engage in post- secondary education

9. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning Of Michigan’s 6.4 million working age adults (18 to 64),68.3% have not completed college (associate’s degree or higher)

10. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning $500,000Lifetime earnings of a person with an associates degree or higher will be at least $500,000 more than someone who stopped with high school Higher overall educational achievement = healthier families, thriving communities, stronger economy Why Does This Matter?

11. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning 8 straight years of job loss in the manufacturing sector Longest stretch of job loss since the Great Depression More manufacturing jobs gone from MI than from any other state 369,000Total loss estimate for period mid-2000 through end of 2008: 369,000 Michiganders need further education more than ever before

12. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning 70%The auto industry accounts for about 70% of the job loss in manufacturing Traditional voc ed pathways target manufacturing jobs We have a long tradition of Michigan families assuming that HSD or GED will lead to well-paid auto job One challenging policy area:

13. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning 50,000Projected job growth in services sector: 50,000 during period 2006-2008 Most new jobs are in health services, private education, business services and hospitality There is some good news…

14. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning Michigan employers have job vacancies because our workforce lacks men and women with the required skills 68.3%Our economy will turn around, but not until we reverse the numbers: we want to see 68.3% of Michigan’s working-age adults with Associates degrees or higher Michigan’s skills mismatch:

15. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning Work with high schools to create credit transfers and bridge programs into community colleges Expand community college programs which link remediation to career preparation Continue to engage employers in efforts to support workers who want to go to school Encourage local-level innovations which help adult learners to transition from GED to college We need to:

16. A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning Contact Information Marcia Black-Watson Deputy Director – Employers Bureau of Workforce Transformation Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth black-watsonn@michigan.gov 517.335.6799

17. A Case for Change in Michigan Marcia Black-Watson Deputy Director – Employers Bureau of Workforce Transformation Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning Southwest Michigan Regional Adult Learning Forum