Sen. Polehanki Champions New Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential 

Jul 12, 2023 | Press release

Focus on early learning and higher education will bolster state’s ongoing efforts to make sure Michigan offers a world-class education for all residents of all ages 

 

LIVONIA, Mich. (July 12, 2023) — Today, Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) issued the following statement on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s new executive order signed today establishing the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, or MiLEAP.   

 

“The more eyes and the more resources we have on Pre-K to Postsecondary education the better. I am excited about the creation of the MiLEAP department, which will ensure that Pre-K for All and Sixty by 30 are achieved and that these building blocks of a world–class education for Michigan students can outlast even Gov. Whitmer’s administration.” 

 

MiLEAP

 

MiLEAP will align all available resources, data, and funds around a single vision—building an education system from early learning through postsecondary to help anyone ‘make it’ in Michigan.   

MiLEAP has three broad goals: 

 

  • Add capacity in early learning.   

  • Accelerate progress towards the state’s Sixty by 30 higher education goal.   

  • Prioritize community, regional, and state partnerships.    

These goals will be pursued by MiLEAP’s 3 offices:

  1. Office of Early Childhood Education  
  2. Office of Higher Education   
  3. Office of Education Partnerships  

MiLEAP will partner with the Michigan Department of Education and State Board of Education, complementing their long-term planning efforts and with the new Growing Michigan Together Council as they look at ways to grow the state’s economy and population.

 

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