Leaders Convene for Education Reform in Michigan

On Wednesday, October 29, the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce proudly co-sponsored a pivotal roundtable with Michigan gubernatorial candidate and current Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, held at Macomb Community College. The morning brought together a powerful coalition of educators, administrators, elected officials, and business leaders to hear Duggan present his bold $4.5 billion education reform plan for the state. The atmosphere was charged with purpose as attendees leaned in to discuss long-overdue changes to Michigan’s educational landscape.

A Five-Point Vision for the Future

Mayor Duggan’s proposal centers on five key reforms designed to build long-term success and stability across the education system: a “Marshall Plan” to boost early literacy and third-grade reading scores; a statewide revitalization of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs; the development of an educator-driven curriculum; a doubling of school counselors to meet student mental health and career readiness needs; and a five-year accountability system to support — and if needed, replace — underperforming school leadership. Duggan emphasized that this plan aims to remove education from the cycle of political disruption, creating a consistent vision that empowers teachers and uplifts students.

A Community-Driven Conversation

The Chamber was honored to help facilitate this important dialogue, offering a platform for direct engagement between community stakeholders and state leadership. The conversation marked the beginning of a broader effort to gather feedback and refine implementation strategies. Events like this underscore the Chamber’s commitment to education, workforce development, and advocacy for long-term investments in Michigan’s future. We thank all who attended for their insights, and we encourage the public to stay engaged in shaping the future of education across our region.