It may take another four to five years, but what Governor Jennifer Granholm has suggested and the Legislature endorsed in stressing education as Michigan's No. 1 priority makes sense.

Currently, 24 percent of Michigan adults have college degrees compared with 26 percent nationwide. Many of the states paying the highest per capita wages have 30 to 38 percent of their adult population with college degrees. Education can make a difference.

For those currently in high school, a high school degree will no longer provide the good life as it did in the late 1960s when so many Michiganians graduated to take on excellent paying auto jobs. That day is over as a global work force has claimed millions of jobs from American-born.

Michigan schools received a needed boost in financial aid this school year and it should assist every student. However, for Michigan to turn about, we need to correct the structural damage. This has been created primarily from placing too much emphasis for too long on the auto industry, as well as the reduction of $5 billion yearly in state revenues.

The Michigan State Board of Education has endorsed a new and dynamic high school program for our youngsters. To guarantee future success, we will work with our outstanding staff to review program offerings and content as well as techniques allowing students to succeed.

We must collectively begin to look beyond K-12 to K-14 for our children as two years of college will open doors for many who choose not or cannot continue toward attaining a four-year college degree. Gogebic Community College and our local area school districts must partner together to make it happen for our children. We are blessed to have such a fine college right at our back door.

Business will come to Michigan once outsiders see Michigan's plan to educate its young. Google, a company which could have located in any state or free country of the world it wanted, has committed to 1,000 jobs in Ann Arbor because it sees the wisdom of a state planning to educate its youth in the manner we do. More companies will follow with skilled workers and high-paying jobs for families.

Michigan has set a new direction for the future of its children, its workforce and our state. Is anyone surprised it all centers on enhancing educational standards for all?

Al Gaiss is superintendent of the Bessemer Area School District.

A version of this article appeared first in the Ironwood Daily Globe, 9.21.06