Michigan schools have struggled since the pandemic, with students lagging behind in reading and math skills compared to other states across the country. 

These skills predict how successful they will be once they enroll in college. Not every student wants to go to a traditional college. But for the ones who do, how do we prepare them? What does it really take to prepare students for college — and beyond — in a state where so many are falling behind?

Bryan Beverly, director of the Office of K-12 Outreach at Michigan State University, joined The Metro live during the Mackinac Policy Conference to discuss the challenges and opportunities for reshaping education for the next generation.

Beverly spoke about the many ways his office works to engage K-12 students and prepare them for professional learning opportunities around the state.

"[You have to] create an environment where [students] feel comfortable sharing what interests them, and then how can you provide supports around their interests," Beverly said. He continued: "...It's more about creating a culture where students feel safe more than specific strategies to pull things out of them; you want to make sure that the students feel safe and invited to the conversation."

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