Governor Rick Snyder announced his extensive plan to make drastic improvements to Michigan's schools this week.  In an address before State Board of Education members, and representatives from school districts and teachers unions, Snyder told the crowd, "We have a broken system and we need to address that system."

In a release featured on the State of Michigan's web site, Gov. Snyder backed up his call for change by pointing out that according to recent Michigan Educational Assessment Program and Michigan Merit Examination test results, less than 50 percent of the state's students are proficient in writing.  In addition to these low test scores, the Governor said results of the spring 2010 ACT test revealed that only 16 percent of all students statewide are college-ready.

"Michigan's education system must be reshaped so that all students learn at high levels and are fully prepared to enter the work force or attend college," said Gov. Snyder.  "They must think and act innovatively, demonstrate high performance, and meet the highest expectations."

One idea that Gov. Snyder outlined was the "Any Time, Any Place, Any Way, Any Pace" public school learning model.  The model would ensure that the money follows the student, giving families the freedom to choose the school district or education system that works best for them.  This would include blended learning, online education, and early college attendance.  The funding model would also be proficiency-based, rather than mandating certain "seat-time" requirements. 

"We must minimize all state and local barriers that hinder innovation at the local level, including seat time regulations, length of school year, length of school day and week, and the traditional configurations of classrooms and instruction," stated Gov. Snyder.  "Blended learning models, where students receive instruction from high quality online educators, along with face-to-face instruction from high quality classroom teachers should be encouraged.

"School districts that embed technology into blended classroom instruction or embrace total online learning, project-based learning, and experiential learning models will make the system more cost-efficient, competitive, innovative, and effective in motivating student achievement," he continued.