Michigan can't wait for Superman when it comes to educational reform

Editor's note: This guest column has been updated to include attribution for three paragraphs that were taken by Tom Watkins with permission from the WAY website and used in his column.

Two weeks ago, I was with over 1,500 "movers and shakers," at the Detroit Regional Chambers Mackinac Island Policy Conference.

There was a positive vibe as Governor Snyder challenged all to work to make Michigan better with "relentless positive action."

One area we need to be relentless about is enhancing and improving learning in Michigan. There is an inextricably link between a high quality education and Michigan's economic vitality of our great state.

That point was driven home at the Mackinac Policy Conference by Geoffrey Canada, president and CEO of Harlem Children's Zone who spoke.

You know him from the riveting film "Waiting for Superman."

Tom Watkins

Canada shows that with a laser-like focus on students, teaching and learning -- rather than on power, control, politics and adults -- we can elevate the educational attainment of all children. He challenged the business community to become the change and reform Michigan's education system needs.

In his special April message to the Legislature on education reform, Gov. Snyder made clear that our schools are in dire need of the new 3 R’s: Restructure, Reform, and Reinvention.

Snyder understands that we are living in a disruptive, transformational, technologically-driven, knowledge economy where jobs can and do move around the world effortlessly. He has challenged the educational status quo to do better by our children and our collective future.

Education in Michigan needs more than reform -- it needs to be transformed.

Up on the island, I caught up with Glen Taylor and Beth Baker - co-founders and executive directors of the WAY Program (www.wayprogram.net). Beth and Glen are modeling the transformational change preached by Governor Snyder.

According to the WAY website: "WAY Program is a personalized learning experience for students who struggle with traditional high school. WAY offers an alternative approach to education; one that encourages self-esteem, independence, and the development of 21st century skills that will facilitate a college education and subsequent career paths.

"Each student is equipped with an iMac workstation and Internet connectivity within his or her home. Our highly-qualified WAY teachers then assess and align all projects according to state content standards, ensuring that each student completes the program with a high school diploma. WAY combines personalized, project-based, online learning experiences with face-to-face interaction. Our staff is invested in the success of each student, providing support 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, all year round. This dedication allows students to excel at their own pace, developing customized learning plans on topics that truly appeal to them.

"Our astounding success leads to a retention rate of over 93%. We constantly work towards realizing the potential in every individual."

Yet, current rules/laws limit the number and type of students that may take advantage of the educational innovation. Can you imagine a business only providing a breakthrough innovation with a small percentage of their customers?

We have to break the strangle hold the status quo has on teaching and learning.

Says Beth Baker: "The world has changed in dramatic ways and our system of education must innovate to educate and stop attempting to contain the change if we are going to be competitive on the global stage." Her partner Taylor commended Governor Snyder "for having the vision to lead a new education revolution in Michigan."

Those that want Michigan to lead and prepare our kids for a changing world -- need to embrace these new educational transformations.

Canada, Snyder, Taylor and Baker are showing us there is a new WAY to help prepare our kids for the future.

The question remains: "Will we drop anchor in the past or lead boldly into the future?"

Tom Watkins is a business and educational consultant in the U.S. and China. He served as Michigan's state superintendent of schools from 2001-05. He can be reached at: tdwatkins88@gmail.com.