Neighborhood Schools to be Converted

Karen Bouffard / The Detroit News

Lansing --Poor-performing public schools could be converted to independent schools with teachers who get merit pay under a package of education reform bills slated to be introduced in the state Senate today.

Called the Neighborhood Public Schools package, the legislation would create schools that could be sponsored by a large city mayor, the state Board of Education, charter schools or other entities as long as they aren't religious.

New schools could be established by a majority vote of both parents and teachers, according to Senate education committee chair Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland. He said it's not an expansion of charters or a voucher program of any sort.

Groups wishing to establish schools would be subject to performance and accountability standards, Kuipers added.

"We want to make sure those who go for these schools are accountable," Kuipers said. "It doesn't do us any good to introduce new schools or charters if they're not going to perform any better."

The legislation would allow local governments, or even neighborhood public school corporations formed by one or more teachers, to establish schools, including early childhood learning centers, cyber schools, dropout recovery centers or career education high schools.

The package is meant to address the high school dropout problem in Michigan, and particularly in Detroit, which U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has characterized as a national disgrace.

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Should lawmakers dictate school choice?

As political debates across our nation brew about permitting charter schools and which kid should be eligible, I would like to know—whose choice is school choice?

If you are confused about this question, let’s try this exercise:

Make a list of five parents you know.

Now imagine yourself dictating to these parents whether they should bottle feed or breast feed, use cloth versus disposable diapers, and which pediatrician gets their business.

If you can’t fathom telling parents what is best for their child in these areas of parenting, then dictating which school is the best fit for all kids is out of the question too.

What is school choice if we don’t have any options?

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Democrats Leading the Way to Education Reform?

Democrats for Education Reform Calls on the Party to Recognize that Charters Produce Results

June 8, 2009 --In response to Education Secretary Arne Duncan's announcement today that grants from the $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" fund will be reliant on the effectiveness of state's public charter school policies, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) championed the plan and the President's willingness to make good on the promises he made while campaigning. Central to DFER's mission is convincing Democrats that supporting public charter schools is good public policy.

"The word coming out of the Department of Education today is that the administration has the chops for being real change agents. Secretary Duncan is poised to withhold Race to the Top funds from states that don't have effective charter school laws. The irony is that so many of the state legislatures dragging their feet are controlled by Democrats. Its time for Democrats to wise up and realize that supporting public charter schools is the right thing to do."

"When Democrats, who have historically been proud supporters of public education, are the ones standing between the families we claim to represent and the public school options for which they clamor, we have to re-examine our priorities when it comes to schools." "There is no shortage of evidence, in places like California, New York, Boston, and elsewhere, public charter schools have shown they aren't killing public education. In fact, public charter schools are leading the charge to save public education and delivering results. Successful school models like KIPP, Achievement First, Green Dot, Aspire, and others provide proof points nationwide for what is possible in our schools. These public charter schools are offering parents the kinds of schools they want for their children and kids the education they deserve.

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Check out Flunked on Dennis Miller Live June 8th @ 9:34 am!! (P.S.T.)

We are excited to let you know that Steven Maggi will be appearing on the Dennis Miller Radio Show, Monday, June 8th at 9:34 am to talk about Flunked! (P.S.T.) The Dennis Miller Radio Show is a nationally syndicated show, that airs across the entire country!

Check here for air times in your local area.

If you are not in an area where the show is broadcasting live, you can listen to the entire show for free, live on the internet by going to the web address of: http://www.dennismillerradio.com/site from 7:00 am to 10:00 am. Just click the “Listen Live Free” banner at the top of the page.


Thank you for your support, please try to join us Monday Morning at 9:34 am!

Illinois raises cap?

SPRINGFIELD —

State legislators approved an act that will boost the number of charter schools available for the state — it’s just awaiting Gov. Pat Quinn’s approval.

Senate Bill 612, the Charter School Reform Act of 2009, will allow 120 charter schools with limited geographic constraints.

The new bill eliminates boundaries — now there are two areas: Chicago and everywhere else. Under the current law Rockford is considered “downstate” Illinois.

That means 15 charter schools can be licensed outside Chicago, on top of the previous five licenses left for downstate Illinois. In Chicago, 40 new schools can be added, and five new schools in Chicago can be allocated for dropout recovery. Before this approved act, only five charter licenses were available for downstate.

The change in charter school law would make Illinois the first state to meet President Barack Obama’s call to raise caps on charter schools.

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CA Charter school to focus on trades

Ventura Star
By Cheri Carlson

A long-discussed plan to open a charter school in Ventura County specializing in architecture, construction and engineering might soon become a reality.

A proposal for a public charter school called ACE High is expected to go to the Oxnard Union High School District board for approval next month.

Ventura County Office of Education and Oxnard Union officials have worked with industry leaders and educators throughout the county to draft plans for the school. If trustees authorize the charter, the school would open in fall 2010.

“ACE High has the opportunity to make an outstanding contribution to the students in this county,” Martha Mutz, Oxnard Union assistant superintendent, said at a recent board meeting.

“It’s proposed to fill a niche so students are well-prepared for industry jobs in architecture, construction and engineering,” she said. It also fits with the state’s focus on career technical education.

The curriculum would be focused on careers in the construction industry, said Peggy Velarde, county director of Regional Occupational Programs. Courses would emphasize hands-on projects and include college-preparatory curriculum, preparing students to head directly to college, a professional apprenticeship program or a job, Velarde said.

Students from throughout Ventura County could attend, and officials hope it would prevent some from dropping out before graduation.

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