DFER Michigan
Where Is Michigan's Education Reform Leadership Going to Come From?
Aside from his reference to changes in the emergency financial manager's act, there was precious little said about education in Governor Rick Snyder's first and highly anticipated state of the state speech last Wednesday night. There was no grand vision about how he would reform and reinvent Michigan's struggling k-12 education system. There is no indication that K-12 education reform leadership will come from the governor's office.
Therefore, it seems it will be left to the legislature - Senator Phil Pavlov and Representative Paul Scott - to provide that leadership. Among Democrats, Representative Tim Melton has made it clear he will continue to remind his colleagues that it is Democratic constituencies who suffer most from the current system and he will continue to be an advocate for reform. Otherwise it will be left to Democrats on the education committees in the House and Senate, most of them new, to send the message loud and clear that Democrats intend to be major players. Senators Coleman A. Young, II and Hoon-Yung Hopgood in the Senate and Representatives Thomas F. Stallworth, III, Lisa L. Howze, Rudy Hobbs, George Darany, Doug Geiss and David Rutledge all represent urban areas where families and children are suffering.
Whatever the education reform solutions are, these legislators are in unique positions to impact the lives of thousands of children who are at risk of suffering the fate of thousands of children who have come before them. Today's urban schools are reminders of the years of neglect and lack of meaningful reform that threaten the future of public education in all our cities and some rural areas as well.
We must find ways to hold accountable those to whom we pay billions to provide education services. If they cannot do the job, they should not receive or accept the money. We must find ways to quickly - but fairly- remove ineffective teachers and administrators. We must find ways to reward those who are doing a good job and withhold pay increases -including "step" increases - from those who are not. We must hold those who are supposed to prepare teachers accountable for the quality, or lack thereof, of new teachers graduating from those institutions. We must hold those who manage school districts, including school boards, accountable to operate them more efficiently and cost effectively. Finally, we must provide stable financing for K-12 education in return for enhanced and tough accountability measures.
These and other challenges must be addressed sooner than later. It is our hope that Governor Snyder provides the education reform leadership from the executive office that has been lacking since his Republican predecessor, John Engler, left office. If he does not, it will be left to Representative Scott and Senator Pavlov and I hope most, if not all, of the Democrats on the Senate and House Education Committees to provide that leadership.
By Harrison Blackmond, State Director, Michigan Democrats for Education Reform
DFER Michigan
Education in Michigan is failing.
In recent reports, including December's National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Michigan's education performance is declining to new lows.
We are at a crossroads in Michigan and now is the time to act.
Systematic reform and innovative approaches are the essential ingredients towards solving this state's most serious issue.
Michigan Democrats for Education Reform recognizes that a unified effort is required to provide Michigan families with better opportunities for quality public education, while improving the state's chances of winning up to $400 million dollars in "Race to the Top" federal funding.
Join us in our effort to put political posturing aside and fight for our children's future in Michigan.
Meet Harrison Blackmond, Michigan Director
For more than 35 years, Harrison Blackmond has dedicated his life towards helping children achieve the education they deserve. Harrison has served a multitude of roles within Michigan's education system, including Chair of the Marygrove College Board of Trustees, President of the Business\Education Training Alliance, Vice Chairman and member of the Executive Committee of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Detroit Black Alliance for Education Options.
"Many of us throughout Michigan are fed up with the status quo education system and believe our children deserve better," said Blackmond. "We want to recognize and support legislators like Senator Buzz Thomas, who are willing to rise above traditional political posturing and present innovative legislation that improves the quality of education. MDFER wants to send a strong message to other legislators throughout our great state that help is on the way."
Contact us today!
Harrison Blackmond
Michigan Director
P.O. Box 12142
Lansing, MI 48901-2142
248 229 4157
248 233 6232 (fax)
