Oakland County education leaders lobby against legislation they fear would create statewide system of privately run charters
Oakland County education leaders have initiated a movement to fight the passage of proposed state legislation that they say would change how school districts operate.
They fear that current proposed education reform may create a state-wide district under the Education Achievement Authority that would accept any student in Michigan. They also are concerned that the legislation will open the door to allow a myriad of new public charter schools that could select specific students, thereby discriminating against students that don’t fit their criteria.
All this, they worry, might happen over the next few days under lame duck Michigan Legislative sessions going on this month.
Parent meetings called
They fear that current proposed education reform may create a state-wide district under the Education Achievement Authority that would accept any student in Michigan. They also are concerned that the legislation will open the door to allow a myriad of new public charter schools that could select specific students, thereby discriminating against students that don’t fit their criteria.
All this, they worry, might happen over the next few days under lame duck Michigan Legislative sessions going on this month.
Parent meetings called
Oakland School Superintendent Vickie Markavitch and several Oakland County superintendents have initiated a series of meetings to raise the awareness of parents and other residents to some of those changes.
The meetings were scheduled in a quick response to the fact that the bills are being considered for action this month before the session ends.
“A lot of legislators we are talking to say they haven’t read this,” Markavitch said. “I don’t know how it can go to floor tomorrow, but that’s what a lame duck session is.
“We are trying to get local legislators to realize these reforms should not be rushed. And certainly they should not be voting yes on them right now,” she said.
“Concerned Citizens” meetings have already been held in the Royal Oak, Novi and Farmington Hills school districts.
Four more meetings are scheduled: one for 4 p.m. and one for 6:30 p.m. Monday, at Rochester High School, 180 South Livernois in Rochester; and one at 4 p.m. and one at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Clarkston Junior High School, Monday, , 2012, at Clarkston Junior High School, 6595 Waldon Road, Clarkston.
The meetings were scheduled in a quick response to the fact that the bills are being considered for action this month before the session ends.
“A lot of legislators we are talking to say they haven’t read this,” Markavitch said. “I don’t know how it can go to floor tomorrow, but that’s what a lame duck session is.
“We are trying to get local legislators to realize these reforms should not be rushed. And certainly they should not be voting yes on them right now,” she said.
“Concerned Citizens” meetings have already been held in the Royal Oak, Novi and Farmington Hills school districts.
Four more meetings are scheduled: one for 4 p.m. and one for 6:30 p.m. Monday, at Rochester High School, 180 South Livernois in Rochester; and one at 4 p.m. and one at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Clarkston Junior High School, Monday, , 2012, at Clarkston Junior High School, 6595 Waldon Road, Clarkston.
The three bills of concern now include:
A State Education Achievement Authority in House Bill 6004 and Senate Bill 1358 would oversee a statewide school district that will be overseen by a board and chancellor appointed by the governor. It would include any school ordered there by a state school reform officer from the bottom 5 percent in the rank list of schools. The EAA exists now only in a partnership with Detroit Schools. Markavitz said it could be expanded to create schools in any district and enroll students from any school. The other bills of concern are for selective enrollment schools, House Bill 5923, sponsored by state Rep. Lisa Lyons and Rep. Joe Haveman, which would allow several new forms of charter and online schools; and a “parent trigger” bill, Sen. Bill 620, sponsored by Dave Robertson, R-Grand Blanc Township.
Robertson was adamant that his bill would allow parents and teachers to vote to create a charter school only at a school that has been one of the worst 5 percent in the state in achievement for three years.
To do so, at least 60 percent of eligible parents would have to sign petitions. Alternatively, at least 51 percent of eligible parents plus at least 60 percent of the eligible teachers would have to be in favor of creating a charter school.
It would also give that district’s school board the option of creating its own charter school rather than have it be operated by the EAA, Robertson said.
“I want to empower parents and teachers to take control of their workplace and school setting and demand better education for their children,” Robertson said. This bill has been approved by the Senate and is now before the House.
Efforts to stop legislation
Besides the three bills Markavitch and others are advocating against, they are also concerned about a new financing reform proposal introduced by Gov. Rick Snyder several days ago, which Markavitch calls the third step of “radical” reform. It is being rewritten now and won’t come up until January or later.
“I just think (proposing all these bills) is a radical and dangerous move for Michigan to take; untried and unproven,” said Markavitch, who has an analysis of each bill on the Oakland Schools website, along with a blog that talks about her concerns and urges people to contact their legislators. She is looking for a million voices to advocate against lame duck passing of some of the reforms. The website is http://oaklandschoolsmi.com/2012/11/26/publiced/
Senate Education Committee Chairman Phillip Pavlov, R-Lapeer County, said on his homepage that his goal is to pass the EAA legislation during this session.
A State Education Achievement Authority in House Bill 6004 and Senate Bill 1358 would oversee a statewide school district that will be overseen by a board and chancellor appointed by the governor. It would include any school ordered there by a state school reform officer from the bottom 5 percent in the rank list of schools. The EAA exists now only in a partnership with Detroit Schools. Markavitz said it could be expanded to create schools in any district and enroll students from any school. The other bills of concern are for selective enrollment schools, House Bill 5923, sponsored by state Rep. Lisa Lyons and Rep. Joe Haveman, which would allow several new forms of charter and online schools; and a “parent trigger” bill, Sen. Bill 620, sponsored by Dave Robertson, R-Grand Blanc Township.
Robertson was adamant that his bill would allow parents and teachers to vote to create a charter school only at a school that has been one of the worst 5 percent in the state in achievement for three years.
To do so, at least 60 percent of eligible parents would have to sign petitions. Alternatively, at least 51 percent of eligible parents plus at least 60 percent of the eligible teachers would have to be in favor of creating a charter school.
It would also give that district’s school board the option of creating its own charter school rather than have it be operated by the EAA, Robertson said.
“I want to empower parents and teachers to take control of their workplace and school setting and demand better education for their children,” Robertson said. This bill has been approved by the Senate and is now before the House.
Efforts to stop legislation
Besides the three bills Markavitch and others are advocating against, they are also concerned about a new financing reform proposal introduced by Gov. Rick Snyder several days ago, which Markavitch calls the third step of “radical” reform. It is being rewritten now and won’t come up until January or later.
“I just think (proposing all these bills) is a radical and dangerous move for Michigan to take; untried and unproven,” said Markavitch, who has an analysis of each bill on the Oakland Schools website, along with a blog that talks about her concerns and urges people to contact their legislators. She is looking for a million voices to advocate against lame duck passing of some of the reforms. The website is http://oaklandschoolsmi.com/2012/11/26/publiced/
Senate Education Committee Chairman Phillip Pavlov, R-Lapeer County, said on his homepage that his goal is to pass the EAA legislation during this session.
Pavlov also said, “The Legislature has partnered with Gov. Snyder to enact bold policies that give our schools, parents and teachers better tools to educate students in today’s rapidly changing world, and it is exciting to see communities across our state embracing new ideas and models that put students’ needs first.”
However, Pavlov was not available Wednesday to comment on the concerns. Nor was the spokesman for Gov. Rick Snyder’s office available for comment by deadline on the concerns and meetings being held in Oakland County about the proposed reforms.
Robertson, R-Grand Blanc Township, who represents the Oakland County townships of Springfield, Groveland and Waterford, said he could not comment on specifics of the EAA bill because it was still being worked on late Wednesday afternoon and he had not had the opportunity to read it.
However, Robertson said thinks all three bills will likely come to a vote during the seven to 10 days left in this lame duck session.
Reason for opposition cited
Markavitch is hoping the Legislature will take more time to consider the legislation.
“The people who are coming to our meetings are parents, citizens at large and school staff,” Markavitch said.
“We obviously have to have reform for schools in the bottom five percent, some reform and some assistance to kids in those schools, but the current EAA is not that form,” said Oakland County’s regional school superintendent.
First, the legislation would expand to eventually include not only the schools in the bottom 5 percent, but any student in the state to become part of a new statewide system under the EAA. The new system would be able to take over vacant schools in local districts to operate as selective charter schools, if the legislation passes as is, she said.
“There shouldn’t be anyone in world who would specify only certain kids can come to a public charter school. That is un-American, undemocratic. It will lead to segregation like we’ve never seen,” Markavitch said.
However, Pavlov was not available Wednesday to comment on the concerns. Nor was the spokesman for Gov. Rick Snyder’s office available for comment by deadline on the concerns and meetings being held in Oakland County about the proposed reforms.
Robertson, R-Grand Blanc Township, who represents the Oakland County townships of Springfield, Groveland and Waterford, said he could not comment on specifics of the EAA bill because it was still being worked on late Wednesday afternoon and he had not had the opportunity to read it.
However, Robertson said thinks all three bills will likely come to a vote during the seven to 10 days left in this lame duck session.
Reason for opposition cited
Markavitch is hoping the Legislature will take more time to consider the legislation.
“The people who are coming to our meetings are parents, citizens at large and school staff,” Markavitch said.
“We obviously have to have reform for schools in the bottom five percent, some reform and some assistance to kids in those schools, but the current EAA is not that form,” said Oakland County’s regional school superintendent.
First, the legislation would expand to eventually include not only the schools in the bottom 5 percent, but any student in the state to become part of a new statewide system under the EAA. The new system would be able to take over vacant schools in local districts to operate as selective charter schools, if the legislation passes as is, she said.
“There shouldn’t be anyone in world who would specify only certain kids can come to a public charter school. That is un-American, undemocratic. It will lead to segregation like we’ve never seen,” Markavitch said.
“Add all of this to fact that it will uncap caber schools and charters, and that 80 percent are run by for profits, (that) would be able to specify which kids they serve.”
Some advocates believe children with disabilities could be discriminated against by being denied enrollment at schools under the new plan.
One of those parents who plans to be at the Rochester meeting Dec. 3 is Jeff Lauth, who has two children in the Rochester school district. He said he has been following reforms for the past two years.
Lauth said he is mainly concerned about how quickly the legislation is going through the system.
“My concern is how people will be held accountable. As a parent, it bothers me that most of this is slipping under the rug. Most people are unaware of this,” he said, yet it will impact parents and their choices for their children.
“There would be a slew of choices. I hope they are getting good advice. I’d like to think they are listening and thinking rationally. Why not pick brains of people who do it everyday? I don’t think they have asked.
“Ultimately, our children will have 13 years of education and hopefully they will get it right,” Lauth said.
He also said his research indicated most charter schools would be run by for-profit corporations, which haven’t necessarily improved education for the children enrolled.
“There is a $15 billion education fund and everybody wants to get their hands on it,” Lauth said.
“As a parent, people should have a voice on this before it actually passes,’ Lauth said.
A voice of concern also came in a press release issued Wednesday by Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Senate Democratic leader.
“Last week, we learned of Governor Snyder’s proposal to dismantle Michigan’s public education system and replace it with a voucher plan that favors for-profit corporations operating our schools instead.
“It would hand our tax dollars over to out-of-state companies with little or no oversight, allowing them to make decisions based on what’s profitable instead of what’s best for our students,” she argued
Whitmer suggests people go to LearningNotEarning.com to sign a petition that will be delivered to Governor Snyder to tell him that the people of Michigan do not support his plan to put profits ahead of our students’ education.
Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at 248-745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakpress.com.
Some advocates believe children with disabilities could be discriminated against by being denied enrollment at schools under the new plan.
One of those parents who plans to be at the Rochester meeting Dec. 3 is Jeff Lauth, who has two children in the Rochester school district. He said he has been following reforms for the past two years.
Lauth said he is mainly concerned about how quickly the legislation is going through the system.
“My concern is how people will be held accountable. As a parent, it bothers me that most of this is slipping under the rug. Most people are unaware of this,” he said, yet it will impact parents and their choices for their children.
“There would be a slew of choices. I hope they are getting good advice. I’d like to think they are listening and thinking rationally. Why not pick brains of people who do it everyday? I don’t think they have asked.
“Ultimately, our children will have 13 years of education and hopefully they will get it right,” Lauth said.
He also said his research indicated most charter schools would be run by for-profit corporations, which haven’t necessarily improved education for the children enrolled.
“There is a $15 billion education fund and everybody wants to get their hands on it,” Lauth said.
“As a parent, people should have a voice on this before it actually passes,’ Lauth said.
A voice of concern also came in a press release issued Wednesday by Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Senate Democratic leader.
“Last week, we learned of Governor Snyder’s proposal to dismantle Michigan’s public education system and replace it with a voucher plan that favors for-profit corporations operating our schools instead.
“It would hand our tax dollars over to out-of-state companies with little or no oversight, allowing them to make decisions based on what’s profitable instead of what’s best for our students,” she argued
Whitmer suggests people go to LearningNotEarning.com to sign a petition that will be delivered to Governor Snyder to tell him that the people of Michigan do not support his plan to put profits ahead of our students’ education.
Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at 248-745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakpress.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.