| While other states and school districts are | | | | high as 60 percent), Michigan schools |
| searching for progressive and innovative methods | | | | administrators need to do some serious |
| to improve student achievement and graduation | | | | housecleaning on the current system. When the |
| rates, the Michigan Schools continue to shore up | | | | newspaper surveyed students and their parents, |
| the current failing system, according to The | | | | it found that only 30 percent of parents insist |
| Detroit News. Rather than improving the current | | | | their children remain in school. Only 12 percent of |
| system, teachers' unions act as oversight bullies, | | | | students found coursework challenging; 83 |
| the Michigan schools appear to follow their | | | | percent believe that their coursework is not |
| dictates, and legislators just keep pouring money | | | | relevant. |
| into the Michigan schools, while complaining that | | | | Teachers who speak up or attempt to effect |
| funds are limited. | | | | change in the current Michigan schools system are |
| First, money is not the issue. While inflation has | | | | shutdown by the strong, organized and vocal |
| risen at a rate of 21 percent, funding for the | | | | teachers' unions and administrators of the Michigan |
| Michigan schools has risen by of 71 percent. The | | | | schools. They both seem to like things as they |
| state legislature funds the Michigan schools | | | | are. |
| annually at the tune of $13 billion, and Michigan | | | | Some progressive teachers have publicly |
| schools teachers are among the highest paid | | | | recommended that school grade levels be |
| educators in the United States. | | | | reorganized; the current pay system for teachers |
| The problem with the Michigan schools current | | | | be replaced with pay-for-performance measures; |
| system is that they are not working hard enough | | | | and parents be allowed to send their children to |
| to improve it for the children. They have some | | | | the schools of their choice (charter, public, private |
| excellent educators that work hard for their | | | | or home school) -- as is done in many states. The |
| schools, putting every effort into helping students | | | | teachers' unions quickly silenced these |
| excel under the current policies and resources. | | | | progressives. |
| The community should be very grateful for their | | | | The teachers' unions give no particular evidence |
| dedication. Yet, the Michigan schools are still | | | | as to why these recommendations should not be |
| operating under old standards -- pump more | | | | considered, nor do they offer any solutions, |
| money into teacher benefits (for which teachers' | | | | except for their recent proposal -- guaranteed |
| unions also benefit), rather than the students. | | | | yearly pay raises for teachers. They are |
| The state recently approved an increase in the | | | | aggressively pushing for the state legislature to |
| per student funding rate that should be going | | | | write an amendment into the state constitution |
| toward improving student achievement. Yet | | | | that guarantees funding for annual teacher pay |
| almost the entire $216 per student rate is | | | | raises. Where is the accountability? |
| underwriting healthcare and retirement costs for | | | | With all the problems of student achievement, it is |
| Michigan schools employees, according to the | | | | time the Michigan schools stop catering to the |
| newspaper. | | | | teachers' unions and focus on improving student |
| With a statewide dropout rate of nearly 25 | | | | achievement. |
| percent (some districts in Metro Detroit are as | | | | |