President Haas to speak at education policy summit

U.S. Department of Education statistics show Michigan K-12 students are sliding further and further behind their peers nationally. What will it take to improve K-12 education in Michigan? 

Grand Valley State University President Thomas J. Haas will join other education leaders at an event in Grand Rapids to discuss opportunities and challenges, and get feedback from the community. 

"The Solutions Summit: An Educated Michigan" will take place March 23, from 8-11:30 a.m. at the New Vintage Place at 889 Broadway Ave. NW in Grand Rapids. The event is sponsored by Bridge Magazine and co-hosted by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.

Haas chaired Gov. Snyder's 21st Century Education Commission; its 25 members studied ways to improve school performance in Michigan. Among several recommendations, commissioners called for universal access to preschool education, governmental accountability and improved teacher preparation.

Haas will join the following featured speakers at the March 23 summit:

• Mark Murray, Meijer, Inc.

• Amber Arellano, Education Trust - Midwest

• Kevin Stotts, Talent 2025

• David Campbell, Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency 

• Tim Sowton, Business Leaders for Michigan 

• Eileen Weiser, state Board of Education

• Karen McPhee, former education policy advisor to Gov. Snyder

• Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association

• Beth DeShone, Great Lakes Education Project  

• Daniela Garcia, Michigan House of Representatives