In 2011, the Michigan Legislature adopted an unprecedented tax shift that reduced taxes on businesses by 83%, while increasing taxes on individuals by 23%. EDUCATION GAP: Lack of Adult Education Funding Likely Costs Taxpayers More
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The Work First program of Michigan, stressed by past state administrations in preference to educational programs, has left many adults without the necessary skills to get a job.
It's the classic case of "which came first the chicken or the egg.
How can a citizen get a decent job unless they have basic education and training?
Michigan has dis-invested in adult education funding, stranding many working-age adults who need basic skills, the Michigan League for Human Services has reported.
Adult education has fallen to virtually nothing; this education gap no doubt ends up costing state taxpayers more in welfare, prisons, food and other assistance.
"The tax changes adopted in the last several years have unfortunately moved Michigan in the wrong direction by making the state's tax system more regressive and creating additional barriers to employment for low-wage workers," comment MLHS.
"More significantly, by relieving businesses of the obligation to pay their fair share for the community services they rely on, recent tax changes further jeopardized the basic public services needed to grow Michigan's economy, including basic human services, K-12 education, access to higher education and vital community services."
- See more at: http://www.mlpp.org/the-2014-state-budget-an-opportunity-missed#sthash.HAa6fwxI.dpuf
The common barrier to employment is lack of a high school diploma or GED (General Equivalency Diploma); many employers won't even take a job application from anyone who doesn't have such certification.
In 1996, Michigan spent $193 million in state and federal dollars on adult education. In 2001, it totaled $96 million, dropping to less than $37 million in 2010.
The number of adults enrolled in programs has fallen 50 percent this decade, according to a report entitled "Good Ideas Are Not Enough: Michigan's Adult Learning System Needs More State Funding."
"At a time when we know that education is the path to prosperity -- both for workers and for the overall economy -- it's startling to step back and see the decline in adult education programs," said Sharon Parks, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Human Services.
The report found that nearly 400,000 working-age adults in Michigan lack a high school diploma or equivalent. One in every 12 Michigan adults lacks basic literacy skills and needs remedial education before, or in conjunction with, vocational training.
Poverty and unemployment are a burden to families but they also worsen Michigan's fiscal problems through growing demand for social services and declining state revenues.
The report stresses the need for education. The median earnings for a workers age 25-44 with less than a high school diploma was less than $22,000 in 2005 in Michigan, compared with nearly $30,000 for those with high school credentials and more than $61,000 for those with a graduate or professional degree.
In 2008, 389,000 Michigan working-age adults lacked high school credentials. Yet only 28,243 residents of that age were enrolled in adult education programs of any kind. In addition, the number of enrollees in beginning literacy programs fell by 75 percent between 2002 and 2009.
The state has made strides in connecting dislocated workers to vocational training through No Worker Left Behind program. In addition, it has worked to integrate basic skills training with vocational training through bridge and career pathways programs and created regional consortiums where key players (businesses, community colleges, K-12 districts and others) can more effectively respond to adult learning needs.
Those strategies, however, will not work without additional funding. Among recommendations in the report:
Restore state funding to fiscal year 2002 levels.
Adjust funding for inflation.
Advocate for increased federal funding for adult education.
Continue to examine delivery systems and seek ways to maximize resources.
One model program is Northwest Michigan Works that offers free adult education with the following facets:
Learning labs in Cadillac, Kalkaska, East Jordan, Manistee and Traverse City; No Charge;
Open Entry/Open Exit -- Participants may start at any time;
Self-Paced -- Each participant works at his or her own speed;
Individual instruction -- Each person's needs are assessed and evaluated through testing to determine skill level and to develop an individual educational plan; GED preparation and high school completion -- either can be accomplished by attending the Lab;
College preparation;
Windows and Microsoft Office software -- Participants will develop important keyboarding and technology skills by using computers equipped with the operating system and office software commonly used by area businesses.
POPULAR SKILL AREAS OFFERED IN THE LABS:
English-as-a-Second Language;
Reading (beginning, basic, and advanced);
Writing;
Grammar, spelling, vocabulary; Basic math;
Basic algebra and basic geometry;
Basic keyboarding and computer skills;
Word processing;
- See more at: http://www.nwm.org/workforce/job-seekers/adult-education-learning-labs/#sthash.HyY15rGv.dpuf
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