Education

OVERALL RATING

Nine hundred residents shared their views through telephone and online opinion surveys conducted in the first half of 2019. Key findings are summarized, including ratings for different aspects of life in Flint. Ratings are based on a scale of one to five, in which five means “very positive” and one means “very negative.” For more information about how the ratings were calculated, see Methodology.

THINGS TO CELEBRATE/
THINGS TO IMPROVE

This section highlights survey results regarding what’s working and what needs improvement. If a section of Focus on Flint does not include information about Things to Celebrate or Things to Improve, it’s because the survey didn’t yield responses to fit the categories.

ALSO HEARD

In addition to results of the opinion survey, Focus on Flint shares information that local nonprofit organizations and agencies have reported hearing from the residents they serve.

SUPPORT FROM MOTT

Support for the organizations and programs presented in bold text includes funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, which produced this report. To learn more, visit the Foundation’s website, Mott.org.

FACTS & FIGURES

Each section includes data and statistics that illuminate strengths of the Flint community and highlight challenges. These facts were collected through opinion surveys of Flint residents; from city, state and federal agencies; and from local nonprofit organizations. The Flint surveys were conducted in the first half of 2019. Unless otherwise noted, all remaining data are from 2018.

DID YOU KNOW?

This section highlights organizations and programs working to address issues in the Flint community and provides information about how to connect with them.

THE ISSUE AND THE RESPONSE

Focus on Flint explores nine important issues facing the local community: Arts and Culture, Economy, Education, Health, Housing, Public Safety, Quality of Life, Standard of Living and Water. This section describes why each issue is critical to the community and summarizes work underway.

A student reads during YouthQuest. The afterschool program is offered at all Flint Community Schools and the International Academy of Flint.

PHOTO: RICK SMITH

2.6

OVERALL RATING

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

THINGS TO IMPROVE

  • Quality of K-12 public education
  • Total amount of funding provided for public education
  • Level of pay for teachers in local public schools

ALSO HEARD

  • Students need stronger bridges between early learning, K-12 and higher education.
  • The community wants more information about K-12 providers’ performance and success.
  • Public funding for education needs to be more equitable.

THE ISSUE

Declining enrollment, a shrinking tax base and inadequate state funding make it hard for K–12 providers in Flint to prepare students to succeed. The number of students who attend Flint Community Schools has been declining since 1965 and is now at an all-time low of roughly 4,300 students. Less than a third of school-age children who live in Flint attend a school that’s part of the public district. While there are new early childhood schools in the city and the YouthQuest afterschool program in all Flint Community Schools, there’s more demand for both than providers can meet.

THE RESPONSE

Launch Michigan is calling for new approaches to school funding that could help all children in Michigan receive a quality K–12 education. Efforts to strengthen education in Flint — from cradle to college and career — include the opening of Educare Flint and Cummings Great Expectations, which together serve nearly 400 children from birth to age 5. The Flint Community Education Initiative brings health services, afterschool programs, sports and more to every school in the public district. Mott Middle College and Genesee Early College provide alternative pathways for young people to complete high school, pursue higher education and enter the job market. The Flint Promise enables qualifying students to attend Mott Community College, University of Michigan–Flint or Kettering University at little or no cost. Recent and planned investments in facilities and programs at MCC, UM-Flint and Kettering total over $100 million.

Facts & Figures

PHOTO: CRIM FITNESS FOUNDATIONA student engages in a mindfulness exercise as part of the Flint Community Education Initiative.

DID YOU KNOW?

As part of the city’s master planning process in 2013, residents said they wanted community education to return to Flint — with a modern approach. Today, the Crim Fitness Foundation leads a Mott-funded community education initiative in all Flint Community Schools and the International Academy of Flint. The schools serve as hubs for their neighborhoods, offering students, their families and all Flint residents a wide range of classes, activities, services and resources. Community school directors are ready to help you succeed!

CONTACT: Crim Fitness Foundation, 810-235-3396

What’s Missing? Let Us Know!