Money alone won’t lead to more grads

Here are some numbers Gov. Gretchen Whitmer should consider before trying to convince the Legislature to implement some of her expansive education proposals.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, the graduation rates for these universities and community colleges are as follows:

• Wayne County Community College District (Detroit): 9 percent
• Muskegon Community College (Muskegon): 18 percent
• Mid-Michigan Community College (Harrison): 13 percent
• Bay Mills Community College (Brimley): 21 percent
• Ferris State University (Big Rapids): 42 percent
• Wayne State University (Detroit): 37 percent
• University of Michigan-Flint (Flint): 38 percent
• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor): 91 percent

The rates at two- and four-year colleges, public and private, vary widely. And Whitmer should take this data into account.

In her State of the State address, Whitmer advocated boosting higher education attainment in Michigan, in the form of college degrees and other certification post-high school. She offered more details of these programs in her budget address last week.

Source: Jacques: Money alone won’t lead to more grads