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