Will Michigan change its mind on education standards?

By Lori Higgins (From the Detroit Free Press, July 15, 2013) Michigan’s adoption of the Common Core State Standards, a set of learning goals embraced by 44 other states in the nation, should have been a slam dunk given the widespread support that exists in the state. But the standards, which for the first time

Common Core: A Truly Shared Vision

By Harrison Blackmond, DFER MI State Director In an unprecedented display of unity, business leaders, educators, and advocates have come together today to support the implementation of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in Michigan. The standards, which will ensure Michigan’s children are prepared to compete in a global economy, are set to go into effect

RELEASE: DFER MI Warns Newly Introduced Legislation to Withdraw Michigan from Common Core Standards Will Harm Students

Contact:  Devin Boyle | 202.445.0416 | Devin@dfer.org Harrison Blackmond | 248.229.4157 | Harrison@dfer.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Democrats for Education Reform Warns Newly Introduced Legislation to Withdraw Michigan from Common Core Standards Will Harm Students Lansing, Mich. March 18th, 2013 – Democrats for Education Reform Michigan (DFER MI) released the following statement by State Director Harrison

RELEASE: DFER MI Warns New Legislation to Withdraw State from Common Core Will Harm Students

Contact: Devin Boyle | 202.445.0416 | Devin@dfer.org Harrison Blackmond | 248.229.4157 | Harrison@dfer.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Democrats for Education Reform Warns Newly Introduced Legislation to Withdraw Michigan from Common Core Standards Will Harm Students Lansing, Mich. February 22, 2013 – Democrats for Education Reform Michigan (DFER-MI) released the following statement by State Director Harrison Blackmond

Educational Emancipation

“That on the 1st day of January, A.D. 1863, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the executive government of the United States, including the military and naval

Charter school growth in Michigan brings cautionary tale on quality

By Joy Resmovits (From The Huffington Post, January 17th, 2013) Charter schools are the fastest-growing sector of public education, taking root in most U.S. states, thanks to a big push by the education reform lobby and the federal government’s Race to the Top competition. And since the movement’s inception in the early 1990s, its founders

DFER MI Urges Lawmakers & Districts to Act on CREDO Data Showing Gains in MI Charter Schools

Democrats for Education Reform Urges Lawmakers and School Districts to Act on Latest Data from Stanford Showing Student Gains in Michigan Charter Schools Lansing, Mich. January 15, 2013 – Democrats for Education Reform Michigan (DFER MI) released the following statement by State Director Harrison Blackmond urging lawmakers and school districts to act on findings released

The Fight for Reform: The Education Achievement Authority

By Harrison Blackmond, DFER MI State Director For the past two weeks, the Michigan legislature has been debating the establishment of a statewide reform district, the Education Achievement Authority (EAA). The EAA legislation, modeled on the Louisiana Recovery School District, has promise. But only if legislators prioritize the interests of students and hold adults accountable.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO

By Harrison Blackmond, DFER Michigan State Director If we are to see serious efforts to address the critical problems facing education in Michigan, we have to begin by ensuring that the voting public understands the problems and demand accountability on behalf of Michigan policymakers and education providers. Although the majority of voters may not have

Michigan DFER 2012 Primary Endorsements

  Democrats for Education Reform Michigan Endorses Candidates for State Representative   Five running for State Representative Make the Grade  Michigan’s only Democratic education reform political action committee has announced endorsements in the August 7, 2012 primary election, focusing on five Democrats who strongly support education reform efforts. At the head of the class is Maureen