Launch Michigan is Bringing Student Voice to Policymaking
Written by Venessa Keesler, Ph.D.
During our time at the annual Mackinac Policy Conference, we had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with high school students at Mackinac Island Public School for a focus group about the future of high school.
If you've never taken the ferry or crossed the bridge to visit Mackinac Island Public School, it's a K–12 school serving the residents of Mackinac Island. With roughly 58 students across all grade levels, the school reflects the unique opportunities and challenges of island life—balancing a thriving summer tourism economy with the realities of a small, year-round community.
Our conversation focused on high school: what students value about their experience and what they wish looked different, particularly when it comes to graduation requirements and earning a diploma.
Several themes emerged.
First, students wanted more flexibility in how they learn. They talked about wanting more time to master concepts that are challenging and the ability to move more quickly through areas where they already feel confident.
Second, they emphasized the importance of relevance. Why are we learning what we're learning? How can what happens in school connect more directly to our goals, interests, and future plans? Students expressed a desire for greater opportunities to personalize their learning and apply what they are learning in meaningful ways.
Perhaps the strongest theme was their enthusiasm for work-based learning. Students became especially excited when discussing the possibility of integrating internships, job shadows, and other workplace experiences into the school week. The idea of spending some days in the classroom and other days learning in real-world settings resonated deeply with them.
Venessa Keesler, President & CEO, and Wendy Larvick, Director of Policy Engagement (front row, right) joined students and faculty at Mackinac Island Public School for a conversation about what high school could be.
At its core, what these students were asking for was a high school experience that is more meaningful, more personalized, more connected to their aspirations, and more relevant to the world they will enter after graduation.
The students we spoke with represented a range of future pathways. Some knew they wanted to attend college. Others were eager to enter the workforce. Many were still figuring it out. But regardless of their plans, they shared a common desire: they want an education system that recognizes their individuality and prepares them for the future they choose.
While they never used the words "Michigan Education Guarantee," the vision they described is exactly what the Michigan Education Guarantee seeks to create.
On a personal level, the experience was incredibly inspiring. We do not listen to students often enough. They are the individuals most directly affected by the decisions we make as policymakers and education leaders, yet too rarely do we ask them what they think, what they see, what's working, and what could be better.
But students know.
They are living this experience every day. They understand what engages them, what challenges them, and what would better prepare them for the future. Listening to them articulate the very changes Launch Michigan has been advocating for was both affirming and clarifying.
In fact, the conversation was so valuable that we have since committed to conducting student focus groups monthly. We want to create an ongoing two-way dialogue and ensure that students have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of education in Michigan.
We are deeply grateful to the leadership and staff at Mackinac Island Public School for welcoming us into their school and making this conversation possible. Most importantly, we are grateful to the students who were willing to share their experiences, perspectives, and hopes for the future with honesty and courage.
If we are serious about designing an education system that works for students, we must start by listening to them.
Work with a high-school-age student group? Interested in participating in a focus group with Launch Michigan about redesigning high school?
