Michigan's Children is pleased to share with you last week's testimony of Andrew Moore, Senior Fellow for the Institute for Youth, Education and Families at the National League of Cities, before the Michigan House of Representatives Education Committee on ways to improve Michigan's graduation rates.

The National League of Cities (NLC) has extensively studied efforts to promote better graduation outcomes for young people by helping mayors and other city officials take leadership on educational initiatives. It has experience with communities throughout the nation that have successfully moved their outcomes for struggling high school students, giving them keen insight as to the resources and partnerships needed within education, municipalities, workforce development, and others.

In his testimony, Mr. Moore shared lessons learned from communities nationwide, particularly as they relate to local practices and state policy in cities that have been involved with the Youth Transitions Funders Group and Alternative High School Initiative to build better paths to graduation for kids.

To read his testimony, click here.

Facebook members can watch video of Mr. Moore's testimony on the Voices for Michigan's Children fan page. Click on the Find Us On Facebook Quick Link on the right side of this ebulletin.

Mr. Moore's testimony is the second of what we hope will be three presentations facilitated by Michigan's Children before the House Education Committee as it considers reforms aimed at improving educational success for Michigan students. Michigan's Children President & CEO Jack Kresnak testified on June 4 about efforts in select Michigan communities to improve educational success, and needed policy reforms to facilitate improvement statewide. Read Mr. Kresnak's testimony here.

We also are working with Committee Chairman Melton's office to schedule a presentation by Dr. Andy Sum of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, which has done extensive research into the social, civic, health and fiscal consequences of dropouts on the Michigan labor market and society.

To read an analysis of House Bills 4787, 4788 and 4789, click here.