About Education Counts Michiana

Learning in the 21st century looks very different in our schools, communities and workplaces, as adjustments are being adapted to this world where education is continuous and knowledge is more accessible than ever. Despite this expansion or learning, there remains significant gaps in access to opportunities, particularly across socio-economic and racial/ethnic lines. Schools continue to struggle to educate all children equitably, and an American public education is too often the subject of fierce critique. Additionally, our nation is alarmed by considerable education-workforce gaps that jeopardize our economic future.

WNIT "Education Counts Michiana" has a big role to play. This weekly, prime-time program series and internet-based resource will establish that learning from birth to retirement, and all again in between. It will require the collaboration of the entire community.families, parents, students, faculty, business, philanthropy and government. All will need to share the same goal to educate all of our Michiana citizens at each life stage.

Education Counts Michiana will highlight positive examples of learning across formal and informal spaces in our region, and explore and discuss issues facing the education and industry (workforce development) sectors in Indiana and Michigan. The program will bring factual information, identify problems and explain their complexity to help bring understanding and collaboration to find solutions.

The series will provide answers to critical questions facing our communities:

  • What does innovative learning look like in the 21st Century
  • What works in advancing children and adult learning in the 21st Century
  • What does it take to expand what work

Topics will spread across the lifespan from early childhood, K-12, college, career and retirement. A high level Advisory Council and Steering Committee made up of educators, business, community, and government leadership will advise WNIT on the most relevant and important topics long-term, as well as, key questions to consider and address within each topic.

Education Counts Michiana on television and on the internet will be a forum and resource on complex problems affecting our children and our schools. The program will go beneath the surface to define issues, celebrate what is good, look at the challenges, identify solutions, and group together partners from all sectors of the community to address the challenges and questions:

  • Where are we going?
  • How do we do it?
  • What is needed?
  • What can people do?

When Michiana all comes together to advance education, our entire region wins!

For more information, contact Brenda Bowyer at bbowyer@wnit.org or 574.675.9648