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)
Wanted: Dems against school status quo
(From Detroit News, January 20, 2010)
Sen. Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit, was the first to introduce this legislation in the Senate, which provided the momentum for the charter school cap idea that became law. It modifies the statewide cap on charter schools to allow the creation of "schools of excellence," which in turn creates room for the startup of additional alternative charter schools.
House Education Committee Chairman Tim Melton, D-Pontiac, supported by House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, led the effort in the House to pass this and other changes despite vigorous opposition from traditional Democratic allies. State Reps. Bert Johnson of Highland Park and Shanelle Jackson of Detroit also provided crucial support.
They were willing to risk alliances with organizations that have not been part of the solution, but defended a system that has failed our children. The result is legislation that includes:
- Tying teacher performance evaluation to student achievement.
- Altering certification requirements for teachers and administrators to increase the number of highly qualified math and science teachers.
- Giving the state superintendent more power to close failing schools.
Michigan needs leadership -- Democratic leadership -- to continue to fight the status quo that has paralyzed the party for more than 30 years.
The state has an unprecedented opportunity to capitalize on the first phase of reform that put children first and change the quality of education our children so desperately need. We need to adopt even more significant reforms such as:
- Allowing the state not only to declare financial emergencies for school districts, but "academic emergencies," so the proper assistance can be provided.
- Creating predictable and stable financing for schools.
- Ensuring every child has a highly qualified, effective teacher in every classroom, especially in urban distressed communities.
This fight is about children -- not money, not jobs, not contracts. Michigan Democrats for Education Reform was created to represent the interests of our children and send a strong message to Michigan's Democratic legislators: We have your back when the forces of the status quo threaten you.
