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A Better Choice, Less Than a Mile Away
… better option might be just down the street. Just a couple blocks east from Southwestern on Waterman Street is Cesar Chavez High School, a public charter school that received an 'A' on the Mackinac Center's report card. In fact, Cesar Chavez is the second highest-scoring high school in the entire state … more
Voters Avert Disaster by Rejecting Proposal 2
… municipalities.
Above all, Gov. Rick Snyder has demonstrated a willingness to address labor policy if government functions can be improved (e.g., charter schools, emergency financial managers, public pensions).
Union leaders in Michigan saw an opportunity to reverse this decline and circumvent public … more
Films or Potholes?
Cost of film subsidy program would repair over 5 million potholes
… line highway system;
The salaries of 1,200 Detroit police officers;
The salaries of 792 conventional public school teachers;
The salaries of 1,166 charter school teachers;
A year of education at Michigan's public universities for 4,796 students;
A year of education at K-12 schools for 7,116 students; … more
Thirkell Elementary: A Detroit Public School Success Story
Part of a series on schools scoring highly on the Mackinac Center's 'Context and Performance' report card
… Middle Schools
Top 10 Town Elementary and Middle Schools
Top 10 Suburban Elementary and Middle Schools
Top 10 Conventional High Schools
Top 10 Charter High Schools more
Jeffers High School: CAP Success Story
Part of a series on schools scoring highly on the Mackinac Center's 'Context and Performance' report card
… Middle Schools
Top 10 Town Elementary and Middle Schools
Top 10 Suburban Elementary and Middle Schools
Top 10 Conventional High Schools
Top 10 Charter High Schools more
Governor Praises Detroit School Ranked Among the Worst in the State
But if you factor in the students' background, that school rises to an 'A'
… Race and Income
Flawed State Rankings Mean Some Principals Are Out of a Job
State Education Department Gives a Pass to Failing Districts; Punishes Charters
New Report Card Compares High School Test Scores and Adjusts For Economic Status
New Report Card Measures Elementary and Middle School Performance … more
School Districts' Finances Can Plead the Fifth After So Many Years Under Bill
Bill would make older audits private
… “We’re capping the audits so they can’t go back beyond three years.”
In Michigan every school district, intermediate school district and public charter school has to complete a financial audit each year. These audits must be posted on the district’s website.
According to Wake, Callton introduced … more
House Democrats Oppose 'Trapping' Detroit Students in Non-Union Schools
But support trapping them in failing public schools
… email seeking comment.
Gary Naeyaert, the executive director of the Great Lakes Education Project, said the House Democrats were against the EAA and charter schools because they are not unionized.
“It shows the true desire of the House Democrats is to placate the unions and support only the union-based … more
Republican AG Rebuffs GOP Governor On Failed Detroit Schools: OK To Close Them
Schuette: 'If a child can’t spell opportunity, they won’t have opportunity'
… Schuette’s wrongheaded opinion is just the latest pandering toward right-wing forces that want to see DPS fail.”
More than half of the regular (non-charter) public schools within the city of Detroit received an F grade in the most recent Mackinac Center for Public Policy school report card that factors … more
Why School Choice is So Valuable
Detroit Schools doesn’t expect academic progress for a decade
… guessed at the answers.”
For this reason and others, about half the students in Detroit have fled the traditional public school system, mostly to charters or nearby districts. more
State and Federal Money Pouring In To Post-Bailout Detroit School District
… Schools — also in Wayne County — will get $6,926 per pupil this year and the school system in affluent Grosse Pointe will get $8,517 per pupil.
A charter school called Cesar Chavez Academy in Detroit will get $8,141 per pupil.
Detroit’s $9,185 per-pupil total is not the same as the basic “foundation … more
Michigan School Districts: We Have No Ineffective Teachers
The law requires annual ratings, but is murky on how to do it
… percentages, the state of Michigan didn’t have one ineffective teacher or administrator last year in the entire public school system, which covers 899 charter schools and conventional school districts.
That’s according to the cumulative reports filed by all the state’s public schools after the 2015-16 year. … more
Traverse City Government Still Thinking About Internet Project
Says government utility criticized for 'not jumping in with both feet'
… would, among other things, assume the most critical element in the analysis (i.e., the “take” rate or the rate at which consumers will switch from Charter to us). Other board members echoed those concerns and voiced their own concerns. That is why we, as a Board, ultimately rejected, at this point, the … more
Airbnb Ban the Latest in Detroit’s Short-sighted Thinking
City council makes it harder to earn a living and visit a city desperate for population growth
… arguably the worst in the country. Still, the city school district fights to limit alternatives for parents by refusing to sell vacant buildings to charter schools and other leaders have tried to restrict parental choice in other ways.
Recently, the City Council decided to take it a step further and … more
Get Rid of the Teacher Licensing Exam
Let individual districts and principals decide whether certification is necessary
If you want to teach at a public school in Michigan, including at a charter school, you’ll end up taking a lot of tests. Most of these will take place while you’re getting a college degree, but even when that’s done, the state mandates a series of other exams to get and stay licensed.
Michigan should, … more
Critique of CAP Report Card Fires Blanks
Report card still valuable despite list of complaints from MSU professor
… claiming that we selectively discussed charters that were doing well and didn't mention charters that weren't. The explanation of … appears to say that we note when charters are in high-performing tables, but … we discussed the representation of charter schools in the rankings when they … more
MDE Memo Sends Wrong Message
Families need more flexibility
… coronavirus outbreak will not be counted toward state-mandated instruction hours.
The memo sends the wrong message to educators in different district and charter schools who are trying to help families navigate their learning needs in this trying time. If building closures extend beyond the currently required … more
Detroit Schools Get Seven Times More Federal COVID Money Than Other Districts
Flint gets even more: $13,407 per pupil; state average is $1,282
… Detroit school district will get nearly seven times more federal COVID relief money on a per-student basis than the average Michigan school district or charter school.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District is set to receive far more extra federal COVID relief money than the average Michigan school … more
Michigan bill would ban cellphones on school buses, in class
House Bill 6171 would require every Michigan school district to ban cellphones. Why?
… classroom, elsewhere on school property, or on a school bus or other school-related vehicle.
Under the bill as Eisen wrote it, Michigan school boards and charter schools would be given a state-mandated homework assignment: Craft a policy to ban cellphones. Regardless whether anyone wants it, or thinks the district … more
Prior to recall, Green Township board violated campaign finance law
Signs that attacked critics failed to name the source of their funding, as required by law
The board of trustees of Mecosta County’s Green Charter Township is a completely different group from the one that started the year. Before the old board was swept out in a flurry of resignations and recalls, the Michigan Secretary of State found that trustees violated campaign finance law.
The penalty … more
Analysis: The Underfunded Schools Myth
… tax-supported schools cost much less to operate than others. Michigan's public charter schools cost on average $2,200 less per pupil in 2007 than conventional schools. Put another way, public charter schools provide essentially the same service at a 25 percent "discount." … more
Teacher Right-to-Work Looking Like a Done Deal
Support from Senate, House and Governor may align for swift passage
… hard on our package of reform bills, which includes more parental choice, charter schools and things like dual enrollment. We also have a bill that would … Supports Right-to-Work Law For Teachers
Recall Retaliation? Senate Pushes Charter School Cap Repeal & 'Union-Unfriendly' Reforms
Commentary: Should Teachers … more
Michigan Public School Employees Pay For One of the Country's Richest Unions
Education reforms trump deep pockets of the MEA
… easier to fire ineffective teachers. An artificial cap on the number of charter public schools also has been lifted.
In retaliation for leading the reform … sector," McHugh wrote in an email. "Until last year, the MEA had choked charter school expansion for almost 20 years, despite waiting lists with tens of … more
Democratic Rep Cites Questionable Figures in Rant Against GOP's Budget
Rep. Jim Townsend said plan is 'atrocious' when it comes to education funding
… those requirements. There are 550 traditional school districts and 250 charter schools according to date from the Michigan Department of Education. The state listed 719 traditional and charter districts that qualified for the $100 per student best practices bonus. … more
Lawsuit Against Highland Park Schools Misguided
… manager to oversee the school district. The emergency manager selected a charter school company, the Leona Group, to run the district.
What this means, … school system, run by administrators brought in from other Leona public charter schools. Over the summer, the Highland Park district became Highland Park … more
State Board of Education President Complains Of 'Right-Wing' Agenda
Email sent only to Democrats urges them to 'remain active and vigilant' against education reform plans
… 'Wild West' of new school creation. The bill proposed unlimited online, charters, and for-profit schools with no quality control, sapping resources and … vouchers. Brookings has done multiple studies about voucher programs, charter schools and school choice and generally found them to have a positive effect … more
Teachers Union Pushes Districts To Boycott Some University Students Over Politics
EMU education student: 'It is outrageous'
… getting into classrooms to pursue their careers because SVSU was approved to charter schools in Michigan. The MEA also said it would tell its members who were alumni of SVSU to stop donating to the school if it worked to charter schools against the MEA's wishes.
WCEA President Heim could not be reached … more
Mismanagement Often to Blame for School District Financial Troubles
Flint Community Schools lost students but continued to overestimate revenue
… was more money per pupil than any of the other 30 school districts and charter public schools in Genesee County. In fact, the only two districts in deficit … from 2008-09 to 2011-12.
And while the district was losing students to charter public schools and schools of choice, it didn't downsize its staff to match … more
Superintendent Claiming Less Money Receives $515 More Per Pupil
West Bloomfield Superintendent Gerald Hill says district gets less than 2010, state numbers say otherwise
… student in funding from state taxpayers."
The MIRS article said there were charter public schools around West Bloomfield that were creating competition. Hill … around West Bloomfield, and statewide districts are facing competition from charter schools.
'We have fewer students, less money, but we're creating more … more
How Cities Are Solving Their Pension Problems – and the Bill That Makes It Easier
Part 3 in a series looking at municipal retiree funds in the state
… expense happens upfront.
Jack Hagedorn, the finance director of Allendale Charter Township, credits his township’s solvency to it not having a defined benefit … firefighting and police protection.
Laurie Lemke is treasurer of Gaines Charter Township which also has zero liabilities. She credited the defined-contribution … more
Public School District Constantly Promoting Far-Left Political Views
Oakland Schools links to articles bashing school choice and blaming Koch brothers on Twitter feed
… Twitter feed linked to a video with the description, “Video NAILS IT: Are #Charter Schools Today’s Version of Sub Prime Mortgages.” In the video, a man claimed charter schools are an investment opportunity to the 1-percent.
On July 29, Oakland … more
Private Schools Could Save Michigan $750 Million a Year
… Michigan offers parents educational choices through Schools of Choice, public charter schools, online academies and dual enrollment, the state has yet to tap … scholarships, private schools serve a smaller share of low-income students than do charter or traditional public schools. This inequity highlights an opportunity … more
No Easy Answers in Highland Park
Students continue to flee troubled district
… after the distressed school district was taken over by the Leona Group, a charter management company. A year after being forced to close the district’s only … spent more than $18,000 per pupil in 2011-12, its last year in charge. The charter-managed district today receives and spends less than $11,000 per student. … more
Financial Emergency Over: Elected Government Returns to Pontiac
Ready to operate 'like a professionally managed city'
… mayor and city council to conduct city business under the Pontiac City Charter. But according to a press release from the governor’s office, the board … meeting. Waterman also applauded the return of power to the city under its charter.
Joseph Sobota, who was appointed city administrator by Schimmel in 2013 … more
The Foundation Allowance: Only The Beginning of School Funding
Total funding per school is twice the state-supplied minimum
… special-needs students has its own complex set of rules for funding.
Aside from charter schools, most public schools use long term tax-supported debt to pay for buildings and facilities. (Charter schools must find money for buildings in their foundation allowance.) In … more
Keep Michigan Taxes Limited
Officials should respect the tax hike “speed bumps” voters put in state constitution
… approved by voters. Again, there are exceptions: Taxes authorized by law or charter before 1978 can be enacted without a vote.
There are further protections … though, apply to millages that pay off bonds or if a local government charter contains a different tax limitation.
It may seem odd that citizens have … more
Are Any Left? 100 Years Of ‘Michigan Teacher Shortage’ Headlines
Media keeps publishing the dubious claim, so public school establishment keeps repeating it
… Brian Milliron on why he spent several years working for lower pay at charter schools:
“Nobody wants to work for less money, so accepting a position at a charter school was not based on preference, but on availability. Any job was better … more
Here’s One Way Michigan Miscalculates High School Graduation Rates
… other options.”
Julia turned to Insight School of Michigan, an online charter school. Despite lacking enough credits to graduate with her cohort in 2017, … union-funded National Education Policy Center have used the data to attack online charter schools for having a poor record. Yet this measurement unfairly gauges … more
School Employees Dump Michigan Education Association in Droves
… school district employees, MEA membership is affected by three factors: charter school enrollments (most charter schools are nonunion); districts contracting out for services; and changes … more
Underfunded? Detroit Is State's 15th Best Funded Larger School District
Gets less from some sources and more from others
…
The state average per student revenue for all 827 school districts and charter schools that year was $13,457 per pupil.
That means per-pupil funding … three-fourths of the state’s 537 conventional districts and all of its 294 charter schools received the same foundation allowance of $8,111, while only 43 … more
Analysis: Detroit Students Hostages to the Union
… children it's supposed to educate.
This example of union obstructionism is hardly unique. The DFT vehemently opposed the creation of new public charter schools in the city and the use of high-quality teachers available through the "Teach for America" program.
Given all these dysfunctions, Bobb's … more
Don't Tenure Current Teacher Tenure Law
… unfairly. However, for good reason, virtually no private-sector employees are granted a comparable immunity from termination. Hardly any private or charter schools grant teacher tenure, either. It is encouraging that Michigan's largest school employee union at least talks the talk on teacher tenure reform; … more
More Researchers Note Michigan’s Outsized Public Employee Compensation
… Duck Season in Congress?
School Pensions Sucking Up Per Pupil Cash
School Pension Reform Stalls in Senate
Breaking News: House Vote Would Force Charter Schools Into Underfunded Pension System
Legislators Link Common-Sense Reforms to Tax Hikes more
School District Saves $60K by Being More Transparent
… to be posting online check registers at the Show Michigan the Money website links to the check registers of 81 conventional school districts, two charter public schools and three intermediate school districts.
To see East China School District’s checkbook register, visit the school website here. The … more
Senate Leader Supports Right to Work For Teachers
… Michigan. This is a huge step in the right direction. We hope that the Legislature will go further.”
~~~~~
See also:
Recall Retaliation? Senate Pushes Charter School Cap Repeal & 'Union-Unfriendly' Reforms
Michigan Teacher Union vs. Success of Right-to-Work in N.C. and Oklahoma
Michigan Loses $2.5 billion … more
Bureaucrats vs. Parents — Who Should Choose Where Children Are Educated?
A glimpse into the public school establishment's mindset
… rightfully so.
If state policy were based on it, all forms of educational choice would be outlawed, including homeschooling, private schools, public charters and open-enrollment amongst public schools. Even the most basic form of choice — choosing a school by choosing a home — would be forbidden. We’d … more
Overhaul Of Highland Park School District On The Horizon
District remains operational this year but change coming for next year, beyond
… such an action.
The Highland Park School District could be absorbed by another district.
The state could appoint a management company — much like charter schools — to run the district or have a neighboring school district run it.
The deal reached March 2 allocates $4,000 for each current Highland Park … more
Allen Park Turns to Residents For Bad Investment Bailout
City loses tens of millions in quest for film business
… O’Brien. “What they have done is just outrageous.”
O’Brien and supporters will be out today collecting signatures for a petition to amend the city’s charter so Allen Park would have to get voter approval for loans.
Zech said the city is taking money from its general fund to pay for the studio debt but … more
Union President's Email Tells Members to Get 'Everyone We Know to Vote For Democrats'
Legal Analyst: Political partisanship 'crossed the line'
… included an attachment that included MEA President Steven Cook’s comments on the emergency manager's plan to turn Muskegon Heights Public Schools into a charter school district.
Bence's e-mail read:
PCCS Local Presidents,
"You might want to share this with your membership. This is what an EFM can do once … more
Superintendents Spread Inaccurate Information on Education Reform Bills
School officials wrongly claim corporations can get state money for schools
… County; and Steve Ley of Akron-Fairgrove Schools in Tuscola County didn’t return requests for comment.
~~~~~
See also:
Superintendents Falsely Claim Charter Schools Shortchange Poor Children
Public School Officials Use Nonprofit For Political Action
Districts Use Taxpayer Resources To Oppose Education … more
School Officials Using Technology For Advocacy
District officials urge parents to take action against reform using Capwiz system
… doing this for decades.”
~~~~~
See also:
Superintendents Spread Inaccurate Information On Education Reform Bills
Superintendents Falsely Claim Charter Schools Shortchange Poor Children
Public School Officials Use Nonprofit For Political Action
Districts Use Taxpayer Resources To Oppose Education … more
No Grand Rapids Carve-Out under EAA Bill
… district that has maintained an operating fund balance of at least 5 percent. According to The Detroit News, nearly 600 Michigan school districts and charter public schools had an operating fund balance of at least 5 percent in 2011.
The district must have received an unqualified opinion from an independent … more
Reality Check: Michigan Public Schools Getting More Money For Fewer Students
State spending up $800 million, student enrollment down 2.4 percent
… there being a drop in the number of students the past three years.
The Detroit Free Press reported in a Jan. 15 article that 50 school districts and charter public schools ended 2012-13 in deficit "largely because of declining enrollment and the impact of state funding cuts."
MLive ran a Jan. 15 article … more
School District May Violate State Law By Removing Teachers Based Strictly On Seniority
Concord Community Schools superintendent and board ignoring teacher effectiveness in layoffs
… Districts Breaking Law on Transparency
How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws To Hold Government Accountable
School Districts, Union Working To Try and Ban Charter Schools
Unions, Government Entities Team Up to Try and Keep Information From Citizens more
Michigan Legislature Can Pursue Free-Market Agenda
… students by expanding school choice. The Legislature should also resist the attacks on existing options, including efforts to halt the expansion of charter schools or limiting enrollment options for Detroit families.
Improve educational outcomes by promoting early literacy, a robust evaluation system … more
Ballot Proposals, Big Labor's Bark, and PO Boxes
… beginning of the school year. The Mackinac Center will release several videos showcasing the value of educational choice from some of Michigan’s public charter schools.
Should politicians fear losing their jobs if they support labor reform? Based on a recently released timeline by the Mackinac Center’s labor … more
The Most Important State Election This November: Michigan's Next House Speaker
Three representatives face off for the top spot
… include an entity that could close down charter schools.
Ultimately, the House blocked … bailout package for not limiting charter schools in the city.
The total voting … improve or expand school choice and charter schools in Michigan.”
VerHeulen … taxpayer-funded schools (traditional public, charter, and cyber schools) accountable for … more
Save Closures for Truly Failing Schools
Context needed for decisions, whether by state or local officials
… needs to make drastic changes if it hopes to survive. Too many students are poorly served, thousands of seats remain empty as families have fled to charters or suburban districts and the district is on a dangerous financial trajectory less than a year after a $665 million Lansing bailout.
Yet any benefit … more
Public Schooling Interests Recommend Spending More On Public Schooling
Calls for $2.8 billion more each year
… product contains no definitive price tag of how much the state should spend on public schools.
“We do not yet have a costing out for each district and charter school of the full implementation of the research report recommendations released on Jan. 17,” said Bob Moore, the project director of the School … more
Restricting Homeschool Freedom Won't Make Children Safer
Misguided calls for regulation lack convincing evidence
… bullying incidents and 650 campus victims of violent crime. In many cases, Michigan parents have been able to find refuge for their bullied children in charter and other public schools, including cyber schools where students often learn from home. Conventional homeschooling, rather than using a home-based … more
Detroit Schools Fiscal Decline Began Before Emergency Manager
Media narrative blames school district’s deficits on state, ignore its previous history
… control of Detroit’s main school district from the locally elected school board for much of the last two decades, while encouraging scores of new charter schools to open and siphon students away.”
University of Michigan lecturer Eli Savit wrote in The New York Times: “In the late 2000s, however, the … more
More Inaccurate Media On Amount Michigan Taxpayers Pay For Schools
Reports do reveal what school establishments want public to think about how much they get
… funding system, the minimum foundation allowance. That is state money which follows each student to to his or her particular school district or public charter school. But it is not all the state money that public schools get.
If all state dollars (not including local or federal money) are included, Michigan … more
In Traverse City, less interest than expected in public broadband
Costs skyrocket as the public displays little interest in the broadband utility in northern Michigan
… could offer the same service as private competitors for little cost. The utility owned fiber offers customers packages from $60 to $90 per month. Charter Spectrum also offers high-speed internet for $50 to $90 per month.
“The original business plan,” said local resident Gerald DeGrazia, was “flawed … more
Detroit: The Triumph of Progressive Public Policy
How did this great city fall so far?
… Bob Thompson offered $200 million to build 15 charter public schools in the city in which he would guarantee … graduation rate. In response, the DFT balked because charter schools are not unionized. The outcome was that … DPS has lost about 10,000 students each year to charter, independent and suburban schools.
Of course … more
April 27, 2012, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call
… Voted "No"
Senate Bill 619, Increase online charter "cyber-school" enrollment cap: Passed 56 to 54 … current law, this is limited to just two online charter schools and 1,000 students statewide. The bill … intermediate school districts to create online charter schools serving students anywhere in the state. … more
August 16, 2013, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Vote Report
… time.
Senate Bill 461: Impose term limits on charter school boards
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D), to impose five-year “term limits” on charter school board members (but not on members of conventional … would require at least two parents be on the charter board, impose board meeting attendance requirements, … more
Group at Fore of Detroit School Preservation Effort Has Mixed Record
Well-funded Excellent Schools Detroit favors bailout
… alternatives to regular district schools, including charter schools.
But more recently, the organization’s … Commission with a virtual veto on opening any new charters in the district. This is the same Mayor Duggan … restrictions on selling closed school buildings to charter school managers. The city had acquired dozens … more
Deep-Pocketed Michigan Foundations Fund News Outlets
Big-money foundations are bankrolling media to cover their activism
… Detroit-based foundation has aligned itself with anti-charter school interests. The Coalition for the Future … at the forefront of the effort to limit public charter schools in Detroit.
“We don't cover Skillman … what’s happening in Detroit schools (DPSCD and charter) and the larger education space,” Fotias said … more
These Parents And Children Looking For Alternatives After Virtual Instruction Failed Them
Schools’ poor pandemic performance has changed their relationship with parents and the public
… families to look past the usual debates over charter schools and vouchers. They focused instead on … limited the appeal of alternatives, including charter schools.
By late summer, she found a K-8 parochial … schools of choice slots.
Bailey said the nearest charter school is a half hour’s drive away, meaning she’d … more
2011 in Review: A Year of Reforms
Analysis
…
Lifting and Eliminating the Charter School Cap
Another key measure … state's longstanding cap on charter schools authorized by public … hoping to be admitted to charter schools across the state. Elimination of the charter cap will lead to the expansion …
Counties can no longer adopt charters or ordinances that impose … more
Michigan Does Not Need a 'State Bank'
By Michigan Sen. Tom George, R-Kalamazoo
… per-capita GDP and the lowest unemployment. It is true that North Dakota enjoys a billion-dollar budget surplus, but this is not because it has a state-chartered bank. This is because it has a strong economy based on agriculture, not manufacturing. It is because of this economy that the Bank of North Dakota … more
Analysis: We Still Need to Reform Teacher Pay
… merit pay pilot program could work.
Schools that do focus on outputs are having tremendous success. For example, Harlem Village Academies, a public charter school in New York City, does not treat all of its teachers the same. Instead, teachers are encouraged to become autonomous, take risks, and be creative. … more
Sports Spending at Bloomfield Hills Schools is $285 Per Pupil
… plans.
~~~~~
See also:
School Pensions Sucking Up Per Pupil Cash
School Pension Reform Stalls in Senate
Breaking News: House Vote Would Force Charter Schools Into Underfunded Pension System
Legislators Link Common-Sense Reforms to Tax Hikes
Focus is on state employee benefits
Why Colorado Matters … more
Schools Buying Bigger Pension Payouts for Employees
… comment.
~~~~~
See also:
School Pensions Sucking Up Per Pupil Cash
School Pension Reform Stalls in Senate
Breaking News: House Vote Would Force Charter Schools Into Underfunded Pension System
Legislators Link Common-Sense Reforms to Tax Hikes
Focus is on state employee benefits
Why Colorado Matters … more
Legal Options for Public Employee Compensation Reform
… Duck Season in Congress?
School Pensions Sucking Up Per Pupil Cash
School Pension Reform Stalls in Senate
Breaking News: House Vote Would Force Charter Schools Into Underfunded Pension System
Legislators Link Common-Sense Reforms to Tax Hikes more
Acts of God
Don't like the EFM law? There's an alternative: Rein in government employee unions
… teachers. This came on top of his earlier announcement that as many as a third of the districts schools could be closed or turned over to private charters.
As a regular elected mayor, Bing lacks this sort of authority, but the mayor did signal that he is open to the idea of having such a manager appointed, … more
Center Study Compares Financial Data for Michigan’s Urban, Suburban, Town and Rural School Districts
… includes a list of the locale classifications for each of the 552 Michigan school districts that existed at some point during the period. Public charter schools were not part of the study.
##### more
Former MEA Local Prez: Union May Lose 40% of Members – Including Him – if Teacher Right to Work Passes
… Soldiers Don’t Have Unions, Why Do Police and Teachers?
Senate Leader Supports Right-to-Work Law For Teachers
Recall Retaliation? Senate Pushes Charter School Cap Repeal & 'Union-Unfriendly' Reforms
Commentary: Should Teachers be Treated Less Professionally than Linebackers?
Professionalizing the … more
School District: Spending Up, Revenue Up, Red Ink Up — Wants More Money
Highland Park blames governor, Legislature for fiscal problems
… increased from $9,670 in 2005-2006 to $11,055 in 2009-2010. Its per-pupil funding in 2009-2010 was the 62nd highest in the state among 783 districts and charter public schools. The district is still spending more than $2,000 per student than it was taking in for 2009-2010.
“It does not appear to be a revenue … more
Feb. 24, 2012 MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call
… Highland Park Schools students: Passed 23 to 13 in the Senate; Passed 63 to 45 in the House.
To appropriate $4 million to pay school districts and charter schools near the effectively-bankrupt Highland Park school district to provide classes this year to the children in that district. Highland Park reportedly … more
A 'Business as Usual' Comeback?
… report wasn’t all bad, because it also cites passage of a bill allowing parents whose children are in a failing public school to convert it into a charter school, another advancing the date of a modest state income tax cut, some modest property rights reforms for sand dune construction regulations, and … more
More Than Half of School Districts Ignore Governor's Request For Health Care Reform
Benefits still better for government union workers than for private sector workers
… sector employees pay 20 percent of their health care costs, a report from the Michigan Department of Education shows how reluctant public schools and charter schools are to make their employees pay more.
To get an extra $100 per student, school districts had to meet four of five "best practices" the state … more
Milton Friedman and School Choice
… full-fledged voucher program has yet to be tried in the United States, some of Dr. Friedman’s principles, to a certain degree, are evident in the charter public school and online learning movements. Fundamentally, these schooling alternatives are meant to provide more learning opportunities to students … more
Escaping the Scandal in Rose City
Homeschooling and virtual schools considered by parents dealing with teachers who support convicted sexual offender
… up a homeschool co-op. Others have recommended online virtual schools as an alternative. One parent, Melissa Friday, recommended Michigan Virtual Charter Academy, saying that teachers "are available 24/7 for students," and that the school has been "wonderful."
The travesty at Rose City illustrates … more
Stalking Students in Grosse Pointe
Evidence of a broken education system
… students the opportunity to choose among public school options. Choice is a fact of life for students in the Detroit area, where there are hundreds of charter public schools.
Many students in more rural areas are able to take advantage of open Schools of Choice policies to attend school in districts other … more
Republicans Backsliding After Solid Reforms
… done after many solid, market friendly reforms: a new right-to-work law; a business tax cut; balanced budgets sans gimmickry; the lifting of the charter school cap and the welcome death of Michigan’s counterproductive Michigan Economic Growth Authority. Indeed, the Mackinac Center has catalogued nearly … more
Political Views Populate Website MEA Official Helped Create
School districts in the past have used taxpayer dollars for advocacy
… Schools Superintendent Vickie Markavitch criticized legislation surrounding merit pay and performance evaluation, rebuked parental choice regarding charter public schools, and said public school districts aren't getting enough money.
The website also posted a story that linked to the same Oakland Schools … more
Does the MEA Believe in 'Sanctity of Contracts?'
Not when it comes to illegal teacher strikes
… the most famous violation of this in recent years was the American Federation of Teachers repeatedly going on strike to protest contract offers and charter public schools, the MEA has done the same when convenient.
In December 2012, at least 26,000 students missed school because their teachers decided … more
School District Works Around State Law To Protect Teachers Based on Seniority
None of L'Anse Creuse's 599 teachers rated 'ineffective'; 574 rated 'highly effective'
… of public school districts, according to a study done by Bridge magazine and Public Sector Consultants. There were 540 public school districts and charter public schools ranked. The rankings are based on test scores and socioeconomic status.
Kelly Allen, director for public and community relations, … more
'Super Seniority' For Union Officials, Other Clauses In School Contracts Prohibited By Law
New report shows up to 60 percent of school union contracts have not eliminated forbidden provisions
… Districts Breaking Law on Transparency
How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws To Hold Government Accountable
School Districts, Union Working To Try and Ban Charter Schools
Unions, Government Entities Team Up to Try and Keep Information From Citizens more
Which Michigan School Districts Pay The Most?
No correlation between teacher salaries and student results
… Michigan produces a database that ranks school districts based on state test scores while adjusting for family income.
Out of the 540 school districts and charter public schools rated, the rankings were as follows for the state’s highest paying schools:
Warren: 319
Center Line: 196
Walled Lake: 156
Harper … more
Public School Administrators Complain About Pension Costs; Don't Offer Solutions
… the issues compounding the system is how many present employees are investing dollars into the system," he said. "An easy fix would be to include charter school employees in the system. Changes need to be made and they need to be made for the right reasons and careful thought."
Zurvalec did not respond … more
Gubernatorial Campaign Should be About Things That Matter
Not false claims and things that don't
… it yet.”
The state passed a right-to-work law, cut business taxes, eliminated some broadly-applicable income tax credits and exemptions, expanded charter schools, strengthened teacher evaluation requirements, cut public employee benefits, reduced the window of eligibility for state assistance, expanded … more
Union Members Used School Email to Promote School Board Candidates
Livonia superintendent says it was a mistake
… be the source of the email.
Livonia has been the subject of several controversies over the years. The most recent was the takeover of a popular charter public school it authorized which had the effect of bringing more state foundation money to the district. Earlier, there were objections to a $50,000 … more
There Was Never a $470 Per Pupil Education Funding Cut in Michigan
Around 20 percent of school funding often ignored in debate on education finances
… things, it included extra grant dollars for schools that adopted four out of five management “best practices.” There were 714 school districts and charter schools that year that got an extra $100 per student for doing so.
Hayes said she appreciated a chance to comment but added in an email, “we probably … more
School District Has to Spend $1 Million to Improve 'Failing' Academic Performance
But adjusting for the poverty level of its students, Godfrey-Lee gets an 'A'
… Performance
Flawed State Rankings Mean Some Principals Are Out of a Job
State Education Department Gives a Pass to Failing Districts; Punishes Charters
New Report Card Compares High School Test Scores and Adjusts For Economic Status
New Report Card Measures Elementary and Middle School Performance … more
Two-Thirds of Detroit Students 'Chronically Absent'
New attendance policy has little impact in first year
… state controls Detroit Public Schools, so nothing about this is easy," he said. “The DPS attendance issue is heartbreaking, and it is something that charters are dealing with too.”
Rakolta continued, "This is exactly why we need the governor, the mayor, and pragmatic lawmakers in both parties to come … more
Capping Retirement Contributions Changes Few District Incentives
State aid could easily fluctuate
… available to boost the state’s foundation allowance or any other areas of education budgets that policymakers may have been interested in funding. Charter schools, where employees generally are not in the pension system, receive no benefit from these extra state payments. But neither have they had the … more
Local Ballot Initiatives Target Police, Prosecutors Confiscating Property
Local measures would require conviction for asset forfeiture
… law gives "home rule" power to local governments, subject to exceptions specified in state law. As an example of local reforms, Tillman noted city charter initiatives to decriminalize marijuana.
“If we put civil asset forfeiture on the ballot in enough different cities, we can bring statewide attention … more
How They Spin 'Underfunded Schools': Ignore the Federal Money
Excluding 25 percent of Detroit school funding paints a false picture
… sought to educate urban kids on the cheap and to avoid making the necessary investments in their schools.”
-- “In addition to birthing the for-profit charter industry in Michigan and ensuring that poor kids’ schools would never be comparable to their counterparts in wealthier districts, ...” the website … more
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