Lackluster results of charters

This article reveals the reality of the charter schools -- that profit  often trumps achievement

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/02/lackluster_results_of_charter.html

One shining beacon (just one)

It's always good to see both sides of the charter school issue, but even in praising one outstanding charter, this article points out that it is the only charter school to outperform the traditional public  schools.  Is one out of every 300 a good enough ratio to justify expanding the number of charter schools?  And do parents really understand that the charters aren't generally outperforming their replacements?

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/some_charter_schools_beating_t.html

Check out Michigan Parents for Schools Assessment of School Funding as we Prepare for Thursday's Budget Announcement

This is a very good assessment of what is going on in school funding.  The feeble expectation that higher education funding will return to the general fund is not looking good.  The new tax structure, as you will read below, does not provide any business tax for the School Aid Fund like the old Michigan Business Tax did.


http://www.miparentsforschools.org/node/158

EGRPS PTA Legislative Committee Education Town Hall Meeting

Education Town Hall Meeting 7pm, Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at the EGR High School

We urgently need to ask our legislators about the numerous legislative changes they have made to public education in Michigan this legislative session.  Please come and listen to their rationale for these changes.  Let's let them know what we think is going right in public education right here in East Grand Rapids!

Class Action Lawsuit against K12 cyber school

This is a link to an article on a class action lawsuit being launched against K12 the main cyber school in Michigan and nationally.  Lucy


http://www.marketwatch.com/story/k12-inc-shareholder-investigation-the-briscoe-law-firm-and-powers-taylor-llp-announce-investigation-of-possible-breaches-of-fiduciary-duty-by-the-officers-and-directors-of-k12-inc-2012-02-02

Linking with other MI Blogs

Here is an interesting post from a Grosse Pointe Michigan school board trustee on a suspension of a charter school child in Flint, MI due to his long hair.  Interestingly, his parents supported his long hair that he was growing for Locks of Love.  Isn't this a betrayal of parent choice?  Lucy


http://www.brendanwalsh.us/2012/02/charter-schools-and-the-outcasts/

Cyber School Legislation to be Sent to House Soon

It is unclear how this bill expanding cyber schools will affect school districts, but it is obvious that the Chair of the House Education Committee is hostile to traditional public school districts and their staff.  He was rude in his comments about expert testimony.  Read the article for yourself.



http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2012/02/rep_mcmillin_districts_dont_op.html

Here is a second article:

http://www.gongwer.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=510210103