Gov. Snyder's plan for "improving schools" is short on information
I would strongly urge a pause for reflection and investigation of the details of the proposal for “improving schools” offered by Governor Snyder. We have seen before with Gov. Snyder how his playing close to the vest, is part of his way of leading and operating.
Since in public policy, the devil is in the details, it would behoove us to find out the details of his thinking about his vision for the direction this board will take and whom he can trust to fulfill his plans. Otherwise, we are again buying a pig in a poke and abrogating our responsibility to transparency in governing ourselves.
Of particular interest should be the criteria he will apply in choosing the 7 governor appointed members of the board. These individuals will have a large majority say in determining policy. Who they are, the knowledge base/life experience/work experience they have, the social/economic philosophy from which they make their decisions and their attitude towards educational professionals, will all make a big difference in the role allowed, respect given to and impact of the 2 EMU appointees.
Unlike private business where CEO’s have a right to say little, our government belongs to us and we PAY the bills. This gives us the right to information about how the person at the top thinks. However, we will not get this information if we don’t demand it, especially with Gov. Snyder.
One of the roles of the Fifth Estate is to get this information for us. I would suggest then that instead of a headline over touting EMU’s role in this plan, as you did in your headline for this story, (although the story itself corrected the headline to some degree) , you go after the details or at least acknowledge what details are missing.
I am glad EMU will be involved. But whether this will be anything but cosmetic or geared to placate/divert the public, will only be determined by who the others on the board are, their diversity of perspective and their “assignment” from Gov. Snyder.
Etta Gluckstein Saxe
Ann Arbor
Comments
Maya Aracena
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.
Here's what will happen with the new tenure laws, which will evaluate teachers based on students' "success:" -Mediocre teachers will "dumb down" their material so students are "more successful." -Bad teachers will out-and-out cheat and their results will look stellar. -Good, dedicated teachers will follow the rules and their students will continue to "fail" due to social, economic and family issues. What will we be left with? False statistics, just like Texas, where students failing are pushed out in the tenth grade so their graduation rate looks wonderful. Glad I'm retired.
Carl Ebach
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
Schools are not a business and can't be run as such.
Basic Bob
Tue, Jul 5, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.
That's a bold statement in need of supporting arguments.
Basic Bob
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 5:59 p.m.
Thanks for your continued criticism of the Governor. Sorry you were misled into believing he was a Democrat and a unionist intent on destroying the economy and schools of Michigan by diverting all tax money to retired state government workers with untaxed pensions, unlimited paid health care, foreign cars, and multiple residences (that is now "guaranteed" by the state constitution because some have grown accustomed to it). My bad, that was Bernero. Local school boards have absolute control over WHAT they do with the money. This is obviously some help that they have needed for some time, as they have been unwilling to plan for the present, let alone the future.
walker101
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.
The government only belongs to you that contribute to their campaigns for your benefit, get over the issue with poor me and how the current governor is making cuts that you feel your entitled to and then some. Welcome to the real world, how much did the unions spend this last year in a losing election to insure that you would continue to have what you want. The Joe public seen the transparency you claim that needs to be evident and they are tired of hearing the what about me syndrome. Just look at DPS school systems, the worst throughout the US and who was in charge? No complaints then and now people are making changes and you think it's for the worst? If we are paying the bills like you claim, then what about our current administration, I guess in your eyes everything is doing great, our economy, housing, wars, I guess we don't have the right to know what our leader is thinking, nobody else does either including himself.
sh1
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 1:45 p.m.
Re snoopdog's "The MEA and all the local unions are funded by the taxpayers who employ and pay the salaries and wages of the unionists yet we know virtually nothing of what goes on in these organizations." It's a real stretch to say the MEA is funded by taxpayers. Could you not say the same of anyone who accepts money from teachers, such as grocery stores, retail outlets, museums, gas stations, etc.? Are you also insisting on transparency for all of those businesses and organizations?
snoopdog
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 1:26 p.m.
Etta said: "Who they are, the knowledge base/life experience/work experience they have, the social/economic philosophy from which they make their decisions and their attitude towards educational professionals, will all make a big difference in the role allowed, respect given to and impact of the 2 EMU appointees. " You want transparency do you Etta, well, it works both ways. The MEA and all the local unions are funded by the taxpayers who employ and pay the salaries and wages of the unionists yet we know virtually nothing of what goes on in these organizations. As well, most school boards ( Ann Arbor as a perfect example) don't give up the information you are looking for from the Governor. You just don't like what he is doing because your "pig in a poke" has been exposed. Good Day
local
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 11:45 a.m.
His plan is to make them like businesses, allow administrators to hire and fire as they please and make school employees make and take concessions. Like a previous commentator stated, this will be a huge year for private schools which means less money paid out by the state to public schools. I am anxious to hear his plan, but it clearly started by cutting funding and making local districts fight within themselves to save money by cutting programs. (sports, teachers, etc...) I expect more cuts to come next school year, and we will be having this discussion all over again.
tim
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 3:09 a.m.
He's definitely helping private schools--- 2011 will be a record breaking year of parents pulling their kids out of public schools and putting them into private.
DonBee
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 8:14 p.m.
I am hoping the plan is short on details because he is going to let EMU develop the details. Then again I am an optimist when it comes to politicians making policy and letting others work out the details. This is what a good CEO does in a company - They will say "I want to go from here to there" and then let others figure out how to get there.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
Headline: "Gov. Snyder's plan for 'improving schools' is short on information." So watch out, because he has a plan, likely a VERY specific one. Just like he was not clear in his campaign how he was going to close a $1.8 billion budget gap AND give a $1.5 billion tax break for his business buddies, but new absolutely what he intended to do. Good Night and Good Luck
scott
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.
I don't think I want to know what it is......
Townie
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 6:42 p.m.
I'm not surprised to find that Snyder's proposal is void of detail and enough for anyone to figure out what he's really going to do. I read his 'health proposal' when he was a candidate and it was absolute mush with no detail and just a long list of cliches ('cut waste'). He's gotten a bye on these things and continues to recycle them -- neither voters nor the media seem to read them and really respond to them. More of the same - mush and a surprise when you find out the details (as they are revealed days before a vote).