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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced the formation of a new state agency targeted at improving educational outcomes from preschool through postsecondary instruction.

The new Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) will have three offices: Early Childhood Education, Higher Education and Education Partnerships.

The department is part of Whitmer鈥檚 sweeping 鈥淢ake It In Michigan鈥� initiative that encompasses many of the policy priorities of her second term in office. In a statement, Whitmer said the department will be tasked with collecting data and establishing 鈥渃lear metrics鈥� for action at the local and state levels.

鈥淔or too long, we have thought of education as K-12, but we know that鈥檚 not good enough,鈥� Whitmer said. 鈥淚鈥檓 establishing MiLEAP today because we need to get every kid started early, in pre-K, so they succeed in kindergarten, have paths after graduation to get higher education tuition-free and forge strong partnerships with our employers so they can get a good-paying, high-skill, and in-demand job.鈥�

MiLEAP will work alongside the Michigan Department of Education and the state Board of Education to address education issues at various stages of a student鈥檚 learning career, beginning at age two and continuing through high school and postsecondary education.

Several Democratic lawmakers praised the move.

State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on higher education, said in a statement that she was excited about the formation of new tools to improve Michigan鈥檚 education outcomes.

鈥淧ulling together our state鈥檚 dedicated continuing education resources into one centralized hub is good for our students, and good for our economies,鈥� Steckloff said. 鈥淭hrough MiLEAP, we will be able to better attract, educate, and retain the skilled workforce needed for Michigan to lead throughout this century and beyond.鈥�

However, House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) expressed skepticism.

鈥淐onnecting students throughout their education makes sense in theory, but without fixing our current education system, it won鈥檛 do much to actually help our next generation,鈥� Hall said in a statement. 鈥淒emocrats are undoing accountability measures for our local schools left and right, they鈥檙e spending hundreds of millions on pork projects instead of putting it into the classroom, and our state superintendent doesn鈥檛 even report to the governor. Expanding that system without fixing it first is an empty promise and not a solution.鈥�

Michigan Education Association (MEA) President-elect Chandra Madafferi, an Oakland County teacher, said in a statement that the establishment of MiLEAP will help boost student success throughout the state.

鈥淲e are thrilled by Gov. Whitmer鈥檚 MiLEAP announcement and her administration鈥檚 continued commitment to creating opportunities for every student, regardless of their ZIP code, age or income level,鈥� Madafferi said. 鈥淓ducation is a lifelong pursuit, and it鈥檚 important that we provide the scaffolding needed to assist students and parents every step along the way.鈥�

The Michigan League for Public Policy, which in June released data showing Michigan ranking low among U.S. states in child well-being, said in a statement that the formation of MiLEAP will be crucial to improving the state鈥檚 standing on child and education issues.

鈥淭he League and its Kids Count in Michigan project are committed to a data-driven, two-generation approach to make sure every child and family in Michigan can thrive, regardless of their race, their income or their ZIP code,鈥� the statement said. 鈥淭hat means creating a clear path filled with opportunities from cradle through career and beyond. MiLEAP aims to make that path as smooth as possible, avoiding roadblocks that often come before kids enter kindergarten and after they finish high school.鈥�

MiLEAP, according to the governor鈥檚 office, would be led by a director that will be appointed by Whitmer. The director will become a member of the governor鈥檚 cabinet. The order goes into effect on Dec. 1.

In Michigan, the state superintendent directly to the governor. According to state law, members of the state Board of Education 鈥� who are nominated by political parties and elected statewide 鈥� appoint the superintendent, who is the chairman of the board without the right to vote and is responsible for the execution of its policies.

The board appointed state Superintendent Michael Rice in May 2019.

is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Michigan Advance maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Susan Demas for questions: [email protected]. Follow Michigan Advance on and .

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