Rick Snyder: Education system in Michigan, U.S. 'doesn't work'
Gov. Rick Snyder opened his education summit in East Lansing Monday with remarks critiquing the education system in both Michigan and the U.S., the Detroit Free Press reported.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder addresses the audience at his education summit in 2011. He is back at the MSU Kellogg Center in East Lansing today for the 18th annual summit.
Associated Press file photo
Since taking office in 2011, Synder has worked to reform the state's education system through stricter evaluations for school employees, by lifting the cap on charter schools and his "best practice" incentives, among other reforms. His current proposal of learning that is "any time, any way, any pace, any place" is threatening to traditional school district boundaries and schedules.
Controversial legislation that would allow students to attend multiple learning institutions throughout the school day using a voucher program is being vetted and is making its way through the State Legislature.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
Jon Saalberg
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 2:24 a.m.
I'm truly surprised that the governor pays any attention to public education, given he has nothing invested in it, personally. Private schools aren't exactly public schools. In fact, they aren't public schools at all.
Basic Bob
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 3:35 a.m.
And you don't think his home price is affected by the public schools, crime, or employment? Put his house in Flint and tell me what it's worth.
townie28
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 9:05 p.m.
Students graduated from our schools are employed all over the country. A myth has been created and accepted that are schools are failures so that politicians can tale increasing control of schools and their funding. Much of the myth is based on comparing US student test scores to those of students in other countries. The solutions they propose however, are not based on what these other countries are doing. Many of these countries do not force all students into a college education track as we are trying to do in the US. They offer different types of education for different needs of both students and the society. We have killed vocational education in our schools as we try to force all students to go to college.
timjbd
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 2:56 p.m.
I say let the genius of the Invisible Hand of the Free Market™ solve the problems. Rupert Murdoch has devised an education System™ which will provide kids with programmend iPads: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/56231-news-corp-s-amplify-unit-unveils-education-tablet.html thereby allowing students to learn anywhere. No need for expensive teachers or inefficient schools which need to be heated, cooled, maintained, all on the public dime. Rupert Murdoch knows a thing or two about educating the masses. Viewers of his Fox News channel have consistently been show to be the most voracious consumers of Fox News-like information: http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/174826/survey-nprs-listeners-best-informed-fox-news-viewers-worst-informed/ Therefore, we can trust Amplify (and the free market from which it sprung) to come up with the most efficient, market-based solutions. These studies show that Murdoch knows how to drill messaging into empty heads (not unlike those of fresh students). Let's do this, Rick Snyder!
John
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 5:06 p.m.
Rupert FAUX News iPads? Yeah, I bet they sure would get an education in lying and distorting facts!
timjbd
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 2:57 p.m.
sprang?
jayjay
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:45 p.m.
Perhaps the biggest issue with schools today is teaching students to think, to reason. But for them to do so and to put such learning into practice, they need to stimulate the very behaviors that cause them to think, to reason. How do you promote discussion and logical thinking in a classroom with 35-40 students in a 45-50 minute period -- math should be easy on this one. And then you have the MEAP and other such evaluations that test memory and not learning! What do you expect to really get? But when you blame the schools, the teachers and the administration and do not look in the mirror and see the parents, the family, the friends and relatives, well, need I say more.
Jay Thomas
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 3:09 p.m.
Which AAPS school has classrooms with 35-40 students in them? I've never seen that many students in one place except when they were using the gymnasium to gather everyone together.
CDW
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:44 p.m.
Went into teaching around thirty. I absolutely love it and the students are great. However, thought I was going to be working around a group of intelligent people. After the first year I quickly realized that that was not even close to accurate. Are there some good teachers? Sure. However, I've never worked with more idiots in my entire life. It is absolutely stunning! These folks would be fired in the real world, they'd never survive. Get rid of tenor, stop employing people that don't have people skills, and give control back to the local government. I've never seen greater disfunction in my life. I've worked in restaurants that are operated better. And money management? It is awful. The waste is incredible. And as far as modeling other districts? That's called socioeconomics, it has nothing to do with teachers in Chelsea, Dexter, Novi, Saline, etc. I call it self-segreation and having parents that have expectations. A one model fits all is insane.
Will
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 11:46 p.m.
Some of those teachers, to whom you refer, might question your own qualifications as a teacher after seeing "tenor," "disfunction," and "self-segreation" in your statement. I only raise this issue since you say you are a teacher and you say that you never worked with more idiots in your life. Maybe those teachers spell well or at least check their spelling before submitting their words for public view.
jayjay
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:46 p.m.
Tenor? Were you a music teacher?
jayjay
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
I doubt that anyone would vehemently disagree with Mr. Snyder that our schools could be better and could a much better job preparing students for not only jobs, but for the college education they need before looking for a good job. The real issue here is that we have so many people that have no idea what education is all about trying to fix a system few understand, and which, btw, is likely outdated and not up to the task whether adequately funded or not. There are so many reasons the system does not work including our broken society where parents have to work two jobs to make ends meet, where the divide between rich and poor grows even greater. How do you educate kids in classrooms where size does not permit a teacher to have even 1 minute per student? How do you educate kids in an atmosphere where fear pervades, that they look over their shoulder in the school and on the way home to see who is following them? How do you teach kids who do not get enough to eat, or quality food to eat? How do you tell a child in Detroit that he/she doesn't deserve the schools like they have in Ann Arbor? How do you explain to a child that Detroit can't afford schools because of the corruption of previous administrations and the city is bankrupt? Yeh, let's cut funding, fire teachers, cut programs, close community schools -- that'll fix it, right?
hairman
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 12:57 p.m.
Throwing money at a problem does NOT fix the problem!!! Students can NOT do math, Speak properly.. like, like, like, you know, you know or cross a street without stopping in the middle and text someone.
Jay Thomas
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 3:04 p.m.
That's how they come out of our public schools. I've never come across a Spicoli wannabe (movie reference) who came from a private school background.
jayjay
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:38 p.m.
Hate to tell you but that is not just an educational issue. And lament it as you might, it is the reality of today. You are not going to change it by going back to the 1950's. What's the answer? In part, it is making school relevant to students, making learning an enjoyable process, making it a challenge to our kids. I was a straight A student all through my public school days, but I was bored to tears -- why? Too many reasons to cite here. When texting is more fun than being in class, taking part in a discussion, having the joy of figuring out a new math equation, guess what you're gonna get. It ain't learnin', my friend. And when there are other distractions such as bullying, sex (yes, sex), hunger, drugs, status by being in wiuth the "wrong" crowd -- well, guess what?
Miha
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 12:50 p.m.
To all those bashing the governor, who went to public Michigan schools, why not offer some ideas instead? Both public and private schools in the US fall below their European and Asian counterparts, as many many tests have proven over and over again. Money was increased and yet, math and reading scores have FALLEN compared to the rest of the world. Hmm....
Robert Granville
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 10:58 a.m.
As a student who attended two schools during the day in highschool, I'm firmly behind Snyder's idea. Unfortunately it won't matter if he defunds every school a student in the state could attend.
dae
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:38 a.m.
Why is it that the people making education decisions (and many of those who comment negatively against the schools) are the ones who have never stepped foot in a classroom since they graduated from high school? Fund the schools, cut down class sizes, and make the MEAP/MME relevent to what is being learned in the classroom. Schools are not businesses; they are the institution that creates the future. By pulling out the rug from under the schools is pulling the rug out of millions of children's future.
zookeeper
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 12:16 a.m.
Dear God, Please remove Rick Snyder from office before he completely eliminates the middle class! He is for rich families at the expense of hard-working, low paid parents/guardians. No one with any heart for kids, all kids (rich, poor, black, white, hispanic, gifted, learning disabled, etc...) wants this "man" around anymore. AMEN!
Jay Thomas
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 3 p.m.
Maybe he just doesn't want everyone to live in a Zoo.
jayjay
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:49 p.m.
I share the Amen!
jayjay
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:49 p.m.
Rick Snyder's reply to the issues is like that of the US Congress -- when you do not live in the real world, you cannot feel someone else pain and despair. Rick Snyder will never represent the majority of people in Michigan because he cannot. Empathy is not his because it cannot be; he lives in the gilded world that he wishes to protect.
SemperFi
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 2:10 a.m.
It's not up to God to remove the governor, it's up to voters. So, get out there and vote!
A2anon
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 12:45 a.m.
Amen, indeed.
Burr Oak
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 12:09 a.m.
Online and blended learning has its place, but there is a lot more to the classroom than the simple content learning gained from online classes. It is called dialogue, collaboration, and discourse. What about the 'Secret Committee' with staffers and unnamed others working on a charter school plan? Would that include individuals who funded Ann Arbor's recent millage defeat? If the governor has such a great economic plan, why did my taxes go up, the schools aren't funded, and unemployment isn't improving? I hope those businesses who got the tax cuts and are pocketing the proceeds instead of hiring people are happy while the state sinks.
leaguebus
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 11:45 p.m.
Cutting education by 1/6 is really going to help the school systems ramp up technical training to fill these jobs. If he hadn't laid off thousands of teachers and public safety people because of mindless tax cutting, our unemployment rate would be 1.5% lower today. But the next election is coming fast.
dae
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:41 a.m.
Not soon enough, but I hope that the people who were blaming Granny for this state's problems see that putting one party - the party of big business with no care for the little guy, no less - is always a bad idea. Too bad the best people for the job of bettering our education system are too busy teaching the kids with their limited resources trying to better their future.
DonBee
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 11:04 p.m.
The Democratic, National Education Association endorsed Lieutenant Governor of California has a number of things to say about our current education system in his new book. I highly recommend everyone borrow a copy from the library and read it carefully. No one here will agree with his whole set of issues and solutions, but it is an enlightening book to read from someone who has been inside the system - both government and schools most of his life. I am sure some teachers will wonder why the NEA would endorse him after reading the book. The link to the book overview is: http://citizenville.com
a2citizen
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 10:57 p.m.
"In 5 years, you're gonna be blown away." Was that a Soviet 5-year plan under Stalin? Or was that a democrat 5-year plan under granholm? Anything is an improvement.
Sparty
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 7:11 p.m.
Under Granholm was a Republican Majority in at least chamber ...... not the current Republican lock on both Chambers and the Governors seat.
Jay Thomas
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 2:56 p.m.
Five percent of our population blew away. She was right.
David Frye
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 10:54 p.m.
Schools not working? No problem, here comes Underfunding to the rescue! The all-purpose solution for all your public needs. Well, except for CEO pay, of course. For that, the all-purpose answer is More, more, more!
Jay Thomas
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 2:55 p.m.
Uh... the pay of the CEO is up to the shareholders; the pay of educators whose salary comes from taxes is up to the voters.
Will
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 9:43 p.m.
My thought on this subject is that the educational system, K through College, that has been in place for decades, is antiquated and needs to be completely over-hauled to meet the needs of today's students. This includes both public and private schools. Technological advances have out-paced the current educational system of having to teach students in the confines of a classroom during a specific time-period with materials presented on paper or a board. Given today's technology, students have instant access, via the internet, to a multitude of resources of information. Physically reporting to a classroom at a specific time to hear information from one source (the teacher) day in and day out is now experienced as limiting, unnecessary and boring by many students. A system which permits learning and moving forward at one's pace in a variety of ways or educational avenues which exist today, may be the wave of the future. Teachers, who are experts in their field, will still be needed to challenge and guide the students and to help them problem-solve when they have reached a block along their paths. These are just my thoughts.
thankfulmom132
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 3 a.m.
Dae, In the old days we learned everything from face to face human contact because we did not have computers. My kids were amazed when I told them if I had a question or needed to write a report I had to go to the library and hope the books were available. This is inconceivable to them because it is not the world they are growing up in. Just as our parents world is not the same we grew up in and on it goes. We can not stop the hands of time. Time will not go backward. I understand your concern as a teacher having to accomodate one or a group of students to move forward at their own pace all at different stages. Truly an impossible job for one person. This is where you need to keep an open mind as a teacher and realize with virtual learning it is possible to have students at different paces. Students can work at their own pace. Advanced students will no longer be bored and will most likely be independent. Students that need more assistance can be identified early and receive the help they need and the students on track will continue on their path. Have you ever experienced a virtual program where math and science come alive right before your eyes and you can take your time to digest all the information or rewatch as many times as you need to in order to understand a concept? It really is amazing.
thankfulmom132
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 2:36 a.m.
Ivor, Students are now learning to read, write, sing, work in groups, and challenge themselves virtually. Look at us on this forum aren't we challenging, communicating and learning from one another? If you are a knowledgeable, caring, committed professional teacher, please don't feel threatened by the use of technology. You will continue to be needed and appreciated.
thankfulmom132
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 2:25 a.m.
Very well said, Will. You speak for many students and families. Thank you.
dae
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:49 a.m.
I agree with Ivor... Did you learn everything you learned in school from a computer or a real human being? Granted, there is a multitude of technology, but have you seen what the average sixth grader can do? Could they teach themselves? Probably not. Maybe a select few could get the job done but it wouldn't be to their benefit. Kids today are too busy trying to do what they have to do in as little time as possible. They need direction and most parents are either too busy or not able to assist their child/-ren. Allowing one student or a group of students to move forward at their own pace is cumbersome for a teacher because they would have to track students who are at 14 different stages at one time. Remember, because of cuts in funding, students are now 30-35 per class instead of the more managable 20-25 (another disservice for our students). Anyway, how could you teach, in one classroom, five different units at once?
Ivor Ivorsen
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 11:17 p.m.
"Physically reporting to a classroom at a specific time to hear information from one source (the teacher) day in and day out is now experienced as limiting, unnecessary and boring by many students" When was the last time you were in a top-notch k-12 classroom? I can see the iPaducation lobby has had its way with you. Just how did YOU learn to read? Write? Sing? Create? Work in groups? Challenge yourself? Sitting by yourself with a glowing screen and your "multitude of resources of information"? No, I bet you sat in a "limiting" classroom and with a knowledgeable, caring, committed professional teacher.
mgoscottie
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 9:15 p.m.
Snyder saying education isn't good in Michigan is like the NRA saying there are too many guns......
tim
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 8:15 p.m.
I'm ok with Snyder saying that public schools aren't working--- but I'm sure the solution won't be a cheap one. If he thinks he's going to get more for less he's in la la land-- it takes great teachers and small class rooms to make it work.
dae
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:57 a.m.
Public schools are not working because they are set up to fail. * Students who should be held back because they haven't passed third grade are being advanced to the fourth grade anyway (and these students figure out that they don't need to worry about this until their classes count in high school if they care about it at all). * Several classrooms only have a class set of 30 some books for all five classes to share. This means that students don't have the book to take home to do their homework and the CD they give to "replace" the book doesn't work in their computer because one or the other is outdated. * Some classrooms don't even use a book! Students have to rely on the teacher's teaching and any material that the teacher provides them. * Schools are still designed in the belief that every student is going to go to college. Vocational skills are often taught outside of the district if they are available at all. * The state standardized test - which the state wants teachers to teach to - include things like economics and calculus, subjects that many students will not have taken when they have to take the MME in their junior year. (On a side note: Why is the state "exit" exam taken in their junior year, anyway?) I could go on and on and on...
Basic Bob
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 11:47 p.m.
So are you saying we don't need magnificent football stadiums, chic downtown academies, and double-dipping out-of-state superintendents?
Sparty
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 8:09 p.m.
Stealing money from public education and higher education to give to Corporate free loaders won't help you, Governor. Nor will trashing relations with teachers. And changing social policies to make Michigan a backwater State more like 1963 than 2013 is certainly not going to encourage graduates to want to remain here after they graduate!
A Voice of Reason
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 11:37 p.m.
Not with teachers, just the MEA. You choose to be represented by them and they are teacher's first and kids second.
Linda Peck
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 7:33 p.m.
Spending more money on state run education is not the answer that will improve the system. Better, more efficient administration is a place to start to cut the budget. There are outdated cultural models in place that need to be overhauled. There needs to be encouragement and skilled leadership in social skills as the first step. If children and teenagers are bored and unhappy at school, or feel threatened either by other children or teachers or administrators, this also is a very negative environment for learning. There needs to be a spirit of help and cooperation among and between students and teachers. It should not be "us" and "them."
dae
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 2:18 a.m.
1) Taking money away from public schools is detrimental to the system. What is happening is teachers are the first ones cut which has increased class sizes to unmanagable sizes. 2) There are issues that affect students that can be fixed and others that take time to fix if it fixable. Students do need to feel comfortable with their environment, but they must hold their end of the bargain by not creating a negative environment for others including the teacher. 3) Boredom comes and goes, but it's usually the student's perception of the subject and whether they care or not. Kids have to understand that certain classes are required for a reason and they are to learn it just like everybody else. It's like a job: you often can not choose whether you want to take out the trash or not - either you do your job or you get fired. Likewise, a student who doesn't do the work and pass a class, they should have to take it over again. 4) When are we going to add the parents to the help and cooperation effort? When are they going to have to take accountability for their own child? (Some do, but many don't.) One of the reasons for boredom at school and low grades because the child has no support at home. 5) School should be to educate students for success in their future. The current model, I will agree, is not working because not every child will be going to college. Let our public schools take care of the students on the college path and let those profit-orientated charter schools worry about kids who aren't and give students opportunities to learn a trade that they can use once they graduate.
Tom
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 7:21 p.m.
Government schools need some competition. Competition improves both the quality of a service and rewards those that excel in providing it. Michigan K-12 has nearly as many adminstrators as teachers. Eliminating some of this overhead would result in more money for teachers. The exceptional teachers are the ones that deserve higher salaries not a bunch of pencil-pushers. While not a Snyder supporter, if the schools were so good before he arrived did these kids suddenly get suptid in the last 2 years?
sHa
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:01 a.m.
I'll tell you why Saline HS and Troy HS, et al, are successful. It has everything to do with the families that send their children to those schools. High expectations and support from parents. Students who take school seriously. Students who take advantage of the rigorous college prep courses (and technical courses) that are offered, instead of doing the bare minimum expected. Yes, excellent teachers are important, but they can only do so much. Unless you have families and students who place a high value on education, it won't matter which school they attend.
Ivor Ivorsen
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 7:34 p.m.
"Competition improves both the quality of a service and rewards those that excel in providing it" Wrong. It creates incentives for schools to avoid or dump struggling or learning-disabled students that might pull scores down and threaten funding (read: profit). How do you explain the success of a Troy High School or Saline High School? Who are these old-fashioned public schools competing against?
Ivor Ivorsen
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 7:13 p.m.
Students seem to be doing quite well--excelling in fact-- in public schools in Chelsea, Dexter, Saline, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Novi, and Northville. Wouldn't it make sense to replicate what is clearly working in those districts? The agenda is clear: your tax dollars funneled directly to religious schools and corporations.
SemperFi
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:53 a.m.
@Bob: The problem is that the republicans are acting like all public schools are failing and they want to dismantle the successful ones, too.
Basic Bob
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 11:40 p.m.
We can wave the magic wand and make everyone richer and more homogenous.
nightwalker
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 7:12 p.m.
Why don't we forget schools all together. Build more prisons there more profitable.
SemperFi
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 2:13 a.m.
@Don Bee: Add in the cost of city & county jails and the probation system and the corrections system goes back to #1.
DonBee
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 10:57 p.m.
Mr Stevens - The state government spends more on prisons than schools (K-12), but overall Michigan spends more money when you add in local and county funds on K-12 than prisons.
Rick Stevens
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 7:40 p.m.
Good point. Michigan already does spend more money on prisons than education and Slick Rick is slowing (boiling a frog) cutting education and trying to act like he didn't.
antikvetch
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 7:07 p.m.
We need to fill every public school anke deep in $100 bills. No, maybe knee deep. Perhaps up to the waist? Higher?
a2citizen
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:50 a.m.
How about $20's to the shins?
AMOC
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 8:19 p.m.
Not according to the Education Activists to Maintain the Status Quo!
SonnyDog09
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 7:20 p.m.
That still would not be enough :-)
A Voice of Reason
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 6:43 p.m.
Michigan is ranked 38th in 8th grade math scores (NAEP)--I would say we need to do something different than we are doing. We are paying our teachers really well and they are not accountable for all kids learning. Anything is better than what we have. The numbers do not LIE! Failing to educate all Michigan students is robbing kids of a better life. Shame on you!
dae
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 2:24 a.m.
Semper Fi hits it on the head... A class of 20 is easier for a teacher to manage than a class of 35! The more students in a class, the more a teacher has to manage discipline or a higher amount of students who are looking for help to name a few issues. Plus, I am willing to bet, since there is a waiting list to get into Community that those are the parents who really care and want their child/-ren to succeed.
SemperFi
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:49 a.m.
@Voice: You do realize that Community High has the lowest student to teacher ratio in the in the AAPS. Also, Community teachers teach four classes a day instead of five. So, what you're saying is that we should hire more teachers and not overwork them. OK.
A Voice of Reason
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 11:36 p.m.
Community High School has 500 people waiting for 100 spots, which is almost 45% of all the 8th grade families in Ann Arbor. Based on the entering MEAP scores of Community High School 9th graders, these the brightest and best looking for alternative learning opportunities. Ann Arbor is speaking!
Ivor Ivorsen
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 7:22 p.m.
"Anything is better than what we have." Really? You're certainly in a hurry to hand over our tax $$$ to the untested, unproven, corporate-charter school cartel types. How about examining the many public schools that do an awesome jobs at educating students in Michigan (Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Portage, Novi, Livonia, Troy, et al.) and duplicate what is PROVEN to work in those places?
CLX
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 6:10 p.m.
He sends his kids to private schools, so why would he be the least bit invested in public education? He wants to make public education a private, for-profit business enterprise. He has gutted the budgets of schools, and then cries that they don't work. He also ignores the strong evidence that his beloved for-profit charters and incessant testing don't work either. When it comes to education, there is nothing redeeming about this guy.
A Voice of Reason
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 11:21 p.m.
Smart kids are what is working in these communities. Ann Arbor has one of the biggest achievement gaps in the nation, so it is not working for everyone.
DonBee
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 10:55 p.m.
CLX and seldon - His son was at Huron through graduation. His daughter was in the Ann Arbor Schools through middle school. She asked to go to Greenhills with her friends. It was her request, not her parents pushing her. Governor Snyder would have been happy to have her finish at AAPS. Governor Snyder was fairly active in the AAPS school community until he was elected Governor.
seldon
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 8:31 p.m.
Not true. His daughter goes to Greenhills, which is a private school: http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/06/school_zone_blog_should_rick_s.html
TB
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 7:05 p.m.
His kids went to public schools. Nice try though. The complaint that schools don't work is a completely separate argument than whether schools are being adequately funded. Under his reasoning, even if public schools did not have their budgets cut, the problem is that even well-funded schools under the current setup don't prepare students to enter the workforce and match recent-graduates to available jobs.
a2why
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 5:39 p.m.
States like New York, Illinois, and California don't seem to have any issues with students entering the workforce...
ManA2
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:13 a.m.
The unemployment rate is higher in California and Illinois than in Michigan.
tom swift jr.
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 5:25 p.m.
Does this joker think for a moment that people have any faith in him as regards his ability to shape education?
A2anon
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 5:24 p.m.
It was working pretty well here until Rick completely defunded it. I say RICK is what "doesn't work."
SemperFi
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:41 a.m.
It's been working pretty well in Washtenaw county. Let's face it, the single over riding factor that improves student performance is... parental involvement.
SonnyDog09
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 6:54 p.m.
By what measure was the system "working pretty well"????
A Voice of Reason
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 6:47 p.m.
Yes, 38th out of 50 in 8th grade math NAEP scores is working pretty well and one of the worst achievement gaps in the nation! 1/2 the kids in this state do not pass the MEAP Math. Your standards and expectations must be pretty low.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 5:29 p.m.
What percentage would you define as "completely defunding it"?
pseudo
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 5:22 p.m.
yep, true - you de-fund it, operate as though any idiot can be a teacher (meaning anyone from off the street can do the job) wihtout special trianing and don't pay for the expertise - yep, that don't work.
John
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 5:07 p.m.
Yes stealing money from education to give to your rich business buddies will never work Mr. Snyder.