FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2011
Contact: Harrison Blackmond
(248) 229-4157
Harrison@dfer.org
MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS FOR EDUCATION REFORM AND MICHIGAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM MELTON RESPOND TO GOVERNOR AND DPS EDUCATION REFORM PLANS TO RESTRUCTURE FAILING MICHIGAN SCHOOLS
LANSING, MICH – June 20, 2011 – Harrison Blackmond, state director of Michigan Democrats for Education Reform (MDFER) and Michigan State Representative and MDFER Advisory Committee Chair, Tim Melton, D-Pontiac, today responded to the announced joint effort by the Governor and Detroit Public Schools (DPS) to reform failing schools in Michigan. Both believe this is a positive first step to address the dire public education system in Detroit and Michigan.
“MDFER believes that all children should have access to a quality public education throughout the state of Michigan,” said Blackmond. “We are encouraged by the Education Achievement System (EAS) plan introduced today by the Governor and Detroit Public Schools (DPS) to restructure our failing education system. We are particularly pleased with this model in that it not only holds students, principals and teachers accountable, but also engages greater parent participation – a key ingredient to sustained academic achievement. Our hope is that this program will prove to be the foundation that can be implemented for all failing public schools throughout the state beyond the five percent identified.”