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WXYZ Editorial: Supporting students and teachers will move Michigan education forward!

Posted at 7:23 PM, Aug 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-26 09:03:01-04

The last week of summer vacation is approaching.   It's time to prepare Michigan kids to go back to school.   For parents and guardians, it's one of their most important responsibilities.  For our state, it's an urgent call to action.  We must ensure that all Michigan children are academically prepared for the future!

We used to be a top 10 state for K-12 education.  Not anymore!  The newest Kids Count Report ranked our Great Lakes State 40th in the U.S. for childhood education.   The study by the Baltimore-based Annie C. Casey Foundation found that 71-percent of 4th and 8th graders aren't up to speed in math.   Twenty-two percent of Michigan high school students don't graduate.  And as a place for children to live, our state ranks 31st out of 50.  

This should be a school bell alarm for parents, lawmakers, educators and our community as a whole.    There are no simple solutions to improving Michigan's education statistics.  But a key part of the process begins at home with adult supervision and involvement.   Make sure your children do their homework in a learning environment.   See that they have proper rest and nutrition.  Attend their parent-teacher conferences and school-related activities.   If you can't, find a relative or friend who can. 

 Respect and support the teachers in your child's school.  Too often, their hard work, long hours, and dedication are taken for granted for one of the most important jobs in the world. 

 Tomorrow, our beautiful state will rise or fall on the investments we make in education today.  So, this school year, let's all pledge to do what it takes to make Michigan kids count.  They are the future. 

 I'm Mike Murri, Vice President & General Manager

Broadcast: August 25 - 29, 2016