(From The Detroit News, January 20, 2010)
By HARRISON BLACKMOND
In December, the Michigan Legislature passed the most significant education reform legislation in Michigan since voter approval of the Proposal A school funding and other reforms in 1994. While the legislative package seems to position Michigan well for President Barack Obama’s “Race to the Top” funding, the real significance lies in the fact that so many Democrats supported the policy changes.
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.
Harrison Blackmond is the Michigan director of Democrats for Education Reform and a former chair of the Marygrove College Board of Trustees.