Education panelists offer divergent solutions

For National Heritage Academies chairman and business J.C. Huizenga, competition will cause all education boats to rise and improve the quality of graduates.

Frank Fuller of Florida State University is a proponent of close cooperation with industry to produce graduates with skills of value in the global marketplace.

Reeths Puffer Public Schools Superintendent Steve Cousins wants to see more ways to reach students of all abilities, including the 17.74 percent in his district with disabilities.

The three panelists presented three divergent solutions to the malaise they see besetting public education in Michigan and across the U.S. at the first-ever West Michigan Regional Policy Conference being sponsored by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce today and Friday at DeVos Place.

The conference is drawing 400-plus attendees that include a Who's Who of West Michigan business and political leaders.

Education session moderator, former Republican Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus, said he'd like to see the idea of aligning high school curriculums with marektable industry certifications brought before chamber members for a vote Friday afternoon.

Posthumus noted that while Michigan test scores lag in math and English, the state is ninth in science, and he wondered whether the factors producing that brighter showing could translate to the other subjects.

Cousins described Reeth Puffer's Transitions Academy, which targets middle students for additional reinforcement in math instruction.

"We believe we've found the secret sauce," Huizenga said. "Only through privatization comes competition. Competition works in business. It drives us to our personal best. Anything the government can do, the private sector can do just as well or better at half the cost."

Fuller led an effort to revamp the high school curriculum to meet globally recognized certifications and test results, such as certifications in technology and manufacturing as well as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaueate. "Your solutions have to be done regionally and cannot be done through incumbent state agencies. You're just going to have to find a pathway to lead these incumbent state agencies to your outcome, not theirs."

Elizabeth Slowik, reporter