Strained Michigan community colleges reap little benefit from retraining
By Marisa Schultz
When Gov. Jennifer Granholm launched the No Worker Left Behind program in August 2007, she stood alongside the presidents of the state’s community colleges, which were to be the proving grounds for the massive effort to transform Michigan’s economy.
Michael Bazydlo, left, of St. Clair Shores earned an IT degree from Macomb Community College through the retraining program. He enjoyed taking classes so much, he is back this summer for another associate degree. At right is classmate Igor Dimitrijevski of Clinton Township. (Photo by David Guralnick / The Detroit News)
But nearly three years into the program, fewer than 1 in 3 of the displaced workers have chosen two-year public colleges, which already are at or near capacity with recent high school graduates who can’t afford, can’t meet standards at or chose not to attend four-year universities.
That statistic amplifies criticism by some who believe that for-profit proprietary schools — often less proven and more expensive trade schools — are reaping the biggest benefits of the program while statefunding for community colleges stagnates.
“By the state not financing community colleges and allowing community colleges to expand to take on further work force courses and programs, it actually costs the state money because the capacity is absorbed by private schools at a much higher rate,” said James Jacobs, president of Macomb