K-12  Public Education and Pre-School Education

As Michigan’s economy undergoes a dramatic transformation, our public education system must adapt if our children are going to succeed in a 21st Century workplace. Our public education system is suffering from years of inadequate funding, especially in schools with declining enrollment. Proposal A, while intending to reduce the discrepancy between rich and poor districts and make funding more stable, has done the opposite. There is more discrepancy in per pupil funding between rich and poor districts and funding is less stable in this struggling economy. The Michigan legislature needs to find the courage to address this serious problem NOW. Our economic future depends on a strong public education system and a well educated and well trained workforce. Many of the new companies coming to Michigan require workers have an education beyond high school, and Michigan cannot compete if our workforce is not ready.

The key to more successful educational outcomes lies in cooperative endeavors between teachers, administrators, parents and the students using research based programs and initiatives. It is unfair to blame the only teachers for failed student achievement or failing schools.

Except in a few special situations, I am not in favor of Charter Schools. Charter schools, current and new, must meet the same financial accountability standards as public schools, since they are being funded with public money. Though a few have been successful and offer research based and unique opportunities, too many charter schools do not offer anything new or different, are failing and still draining needed funds from public schools. Any new charter schools should offer proven strategies for student success and need to be held to the same academic and professional standards as public schools.

Mandatory Kindergarten and access to quality preschool will lead to increased school success in later years. When 80 percent of children’s brains are formed by age 4 and 90 percent by Kindergarten, our educational system needs to have programs in place to take advantage of these facts. All kids deserve the chance to succeed in school and in life. High quality preschool will help them do that. According to the Perry Preschool study, for every dollar spent on quality preschool, $17 is saved down the line. Because Michigan students lag behind in math and reading according to the National Assessment of Academic Progress, we need to do whatever it takes to give kids every chance to succeed. I support changing the compulsory age of attendance from 6 years old to 5 years old, with a parental waiver and the efforts of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.

Muskegon County schools need to address our high school drop out rate. A high school education is the very minimum required for most jobs today. We need to offer more effective alternative education and raise the age requirement to 18 years old.

Health insurance for teachers has been a key target for budget cutting. Over the years teachers have forgone salary increases to protect their insurance benefits. The state budget problems should not be born solely on the backs of teachers and state employees. There are other, more appropriate, places to increase revenue – eliminating tax loopholes and tax cuts for the rich need to be considered first. Efforts to contain health care costs need to preserve teacher bargaining rights to include health insurance

No Child Left Behind has been an unfunded mandate that has been unsuccessful in turning around failing schools. It punishes rather than assists struggling schools and provides no funds to help failing schools become successful. Schools are punished for small infractions that have little to do with academics. Yearly testing relying solely on the MEAP is costly and very time consuming. Testing should include a broader range of measures for accountability and be less frequent. Though this is a federal program, perhaps the new administration needs to be convinced by the state legislatures and professional educators to make needed changes to make this program fairer and more effective. Race to the Top is another unfunded mandate. There costs associated with the requirements that in some cases are more than the potential increased revenue. Numerous changes will have to be made to the program over time, following input from educators and school districts.

Higher Education

The future of Michigan’s economy and our transition to the jobs of the future is dependent on the availability of a trained and educated workforce. The Michigan Promise grants encouraged many students to go to college and get advanced degrees. The students were very discouraged when the grants were eliminated in the current budget process. Promises made must be kept. Michigan needs to put restoring the Michigan Promise as a top budget priority in the years ahead.

Many Muskegon County residents rely on the more affordable community colleges. Remedial math and reading programs are essential to the success of many community college students and increases retention. Financial subsidy for these programs would be a good investment when the state begins to turn around economically.