Posted on Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
Willow Run schools eliminates adult education program
By Danielle Arndt
Adults hoping to earn their GED no longer can do so through Willow Run Community Schools, according to a report in the Ypsilanti Courier.
The Willow Run Board of Education voted 6-1 Thursday to layoff the three part-time teachers in charge of the district’s adult education program, the article said.
Superintendent Laura Lisiscki said the program’s single graduate in 2011 and nearby programs through Ypsilanti Public Schools and Washtenaw Community College contributed to the decision, according to the Courier.
Read the complete article in the Ypsilanti Courier here.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
Meredith Schindler
Tue, Sep 11, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.
It's sad to see opportunities for adult education close down. Research shows that, for many people, the ability to manage time, process and apply information, utilize memory, and achieve optimal organizational skills comes online in the frontal lobe of the brain in the mid to late 20's or later. These are called executive functions, and they are crucial to educational success. Combine that with the demands on time and resources that many students face, unfortunately, in their high school career, and you can see why it's so important to offer educational options to adults who were unable to access those opportunities the first time around. I want to live in a society that offers an education to all its citizens, regardless of age or circumstance. An educated populace lifts us all up. Willow Run adult Ed students, I encourage you to take a look at Ypsilanti's program. It's close, it's accessible, and it's well run. It's definitely worth your time to use those resources and get the GED.
Amy Doyle
Tue, Sep 11, 2012 : 12:29 a.m.
Thank you, Meredith, for your positive perspective and brain-based reasoning, and for your encouragement to the students!
Angry Moderate
Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 10:01 p.m.
How did they even have three teachers in a program with only one graduating student? What were they doing?
Amy Doyle
Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 11:14 p.m.
I hope my comment above explains that.
apples
Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
They are some of the lowest paid employees in the state. Look at a comparison list and you will see.
chapmaja
Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.
I have a couple comments. First, no regular school district in Michigan should be in the adult education business in the first place. These programs should be run the local ISD rather than by an individual school district. The ISD can then schedule classes as needed at locations near the community members using them, so we have a quality use of teacher and student time. Each district having an adult Ed program is a waste of money. Second, students had a chance to stay in school and didn't use that opportunity when they had the chance for whatever reason. Why should the taxpayers pay for an adult education program which graduates 1 student. Combine that program with other programs to provided a better learning environment for the students and better use of resources for the education providers. Finally, the percentage of health care paid is a part of the overall compensation package to employees of the district. The 100% of health insurance costs means nothing without referencing the entire compensation package being provided to employees of the Willow Run Schools. What is the entire compensation package, including benefits and salaries that Willow Run staff members make compared with staff members in similar districts? They very well could get less pay and better benefits as part of a negotiated agreement that comes in similar to other districts in total compensation. This is why teachers and school districts need to be able to collectively bargin their contracts rather than having contract terms dictated by people who have no clue what it's like working in a school or a classroom. Even worse is that some of these people who think they know everything can calle themselves "leaders" don't even have their children attending a public school.
Amy Doyle
Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 9:34 p.m.
I'm just addressing your first two points. Adult education programs are funded by the state and federal governments, separate from the K-12 programs. Our budget is independent of our school district's, although others may not be. Earning a GED certificate is just one of the purposes of an adult education program. Adult education programs also provide high school completion, adult basic education, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. These classes help our students obtain or improve their jobs, progress to postsecondary education or training, and become more productive citizens. This small investment pays off in big ways, for both the individual and society as a whole. The attitude that "they had their chance" is disheartening, to say the least. When I see students that enter our program testing at a 3rd grade reading or math level (sometimes even lower), I tend to think that the schools let them down the first time around, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to give them that second chance. Students that start out that low are not likely to earn their GED for quite awhile, which accounts for the poor graduation rate. But these students can steadily raise their scores, grade level by grade level, and it would be hard to imagine that their lives don't improve as a result. - Amy Doyle, Curriculum Liaison and PreGED teacher, Ypsilanti Adult Education
Jay Thomas
Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.
Yes, but Willow Run will still be paying for 100% of its employees health insurance w/ no co pays. That is what is important.
jns131
Tue, Sep 11, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.
This will all be gone once they are laid off in June. Everything disappears. Including their perks. They will need a new contract and after that? They will pay what everyone else pays.
sh1
Tue, Sep 11, 2012 : 2:06 a.m.
Because they are taking irreversible pay cuts to defer the cost.
glimmertwin
Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.
Hopefully the message to stay in school becomes even more clear.
jns131
Tue, Sep 11, 2012 : 2:25 p.m.
Some can't with the math requirements. Some can't even do the math that the state requirements. Dropping out is easier because the math requirement is not required to get the GED as it is per staying in school. Sucks doesn't it?