NEEDED: A Million Michigan Voices for Public Education

[MichiganVote]

Folks, this is a CRITICAL alert to let you all know about what the Republican led Legislature and Governor of Michigan are doing to the taxpayers in Michigan. The following bills are in play and they are expecting to pass them before the end of the year. I want to STRESS--at the present time there is a virtual lock down on the news regarding what these bills REALLY mean.


a) The Educational Achievement Authority (EAA) bill (HB 6004/SB 1358)

b) The Selective Enrollment Schools bill (HB 5923)

c) The Parent Trigger bill (SB 620)

This is no joke. What these three bills do is:

1. There is no local control of schools per these bills. NONE. ALL of Michigan's schools will be presided over by a 5 person board that is appointed by the Governor of the state
2. As stated, there is only State control-elected school board, even is they exist, will not be worth the paper they are printed on
3. Citizens will still be required to pay the property taxes that will be funneled into corporate and state controlled schools
4. The state can claim essentially Eminent Domain of any school in any area and GIVE it to a corporate run school
5. The so called public Charter schools can determine their enrollments by race, grade achievement or for any other purpose. These bills terminate Free and Appropriate Public Education for ALL, or FAPE.
6. The so called public Charter schools are exempt from the state testing and all forms of teacher evaluations as currently imposed on public schools by the state
7. There are no sanctions against so called Charter schools for failing graduation rates, for failing schools and for poor attendance by students
8. There is no plan of oversight for the online HS programs-meaning-any kid anywhere can cheat
9. So called Charter schools can refuse to admit or educate special needs students-a direct violation of IDEA
10. So called public schools are permitted to charge tuition
11. So called public schools are to be paid more in state money for taking in foreign students-meaning we pay the tax dollars to educate foreign students
12. Dual enrollment has been expanded. Meaning-can't afford your own kid's college, don't worry, now you can pay for some foreign kid and their AYP or College level courses
13. There is no requirement for the Arts in the so called public Charter schools
14. Any student can attend any school, their dollars go with them. There is no funding plan in place for this.

Pay attention. You are underwriting the corporate schools with your tax dollars. There is NO mention in these bills about failing schools. This is a power play to take, not give.

WATCH THE PODCAST-decide for yourself-DO YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO GO TO WALMART HIGH???
If you live in Michigan, and even if you don't, contact your legislator NOW.

http://oaklandschoolsmi.com/2012/11/26/publiced/

[erinlough]

1. This is happening right now and it will change public schools forever, and not just in Michigan.

I can't understand why what is happening in Michigan isn't covered more by news outlets and educators around the country. It is THE cautionary tale for the country. Look at the laws that have been passed here, via ALEC and a tea party Gov. And Legislators. IMHO all states should be aware. And, by the way, lest you think that these measures can be successfully fought in court, they can, we win, and the Republicans have all the money in the world to appeal and hold things up in court for as long as they need to. This state is a mess.

[HiPointDem]

3. you can't guess why the media isn't covering it? so the PTB can get away with the coup

more easily, of course.

[FBaggins]

2. Almost no way to stop it.

Absent success convincing a handful of Republicans to oppose it.

IIRC, MI has no filibuster option nor even a workable quorum-denial option.