Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Regional Chamber has consistently championed education initiatives aimed at enhancing the talent pipeline for Michigan's employers. Recently, Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah authored an op-ed in The Detroit News advocating for a "K – 12 + 2" approach to education in Michigan.

In his piece, Baruah stated, “Establishing a higher education culture will not be easy and will take more than one thing. Certainly, the quality of our existing K-12 system must be improved dramatically, and colleges must control their costs and ensure better success rates. But, establishing a ‘K – 12 + 2’ approach can play a significant role in advancing this much-needed culture shift.”

Today, the State of Michigan marked progress toward realizing this educational approach. The fiscal year 2025 budget passed last month included several benefits for economic development and education. Among these was a $30 million increase in the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Michigan Guarantee, highlighted by the Governor’s office in a press release. These programs align with the Chamber’s priority to enhance access to postsecondary education and foster a statewide culture of learning.

The Michigan Guarantee aims to provide every high school graduate with the opportunity to earn an associate degree or skills certificate from any in-district community college tuition-free. According to state estimates, this initiative could save over 18,000 students up to $4,800 annually.

The program is expected to help more students complete postsecondary education, contributing to the goal of achieving 60% postsecondary educational attainment by 2030—a target initially set by the Chamber and later adopted by the current administration.

This latest investment underscores the Chamber’s leadership in education and talent advocacy essential for Michigan’s economic prosperity and competitiveness.

The Chamber has long supported a robust education and talent ecosystem in Michigan through initiatives such as Detroit Drives Degrees, the Detroit Promise, Detroit Reconnect, and the Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative.

Moving forward, the Chamber will continue advocating for sustainable investments in Michigan’s education and workforce development systems on behalf of the business community.