Money Well Spent

Michigan students at the bottom of the educational assessment list.

V.I. Lenin: Our National Dream Realized!
USSR Education Poster, 1950

Michigan schools are demonstrating unbelievable performance levels.

perhaps not in the way one might like, however.  From the Freep:

“A new analysis of results of a national educational test shows Michigan students have continually made the least improvement nationally of scores since 2003.  

..

That analysis comes less than six months after the release of the Michigan’s Talent Crisis report by Education Trust-Midwest that found Michigan’s students are falling far behind their peers across the nation. The ETM report found that Michigan is in the bottom 10 states for key subjects and grades, including early literacy. “

Surprising?

Oh wait, they probably need more money.  Everyone knows that the amount of money spent per child is closely linked to student performance. More from the article:

” Jacob, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, said there is no single explanation of the Michigan rankings.

“I believe that there are a number of factors responsible for Michigan’s weak performance: a lack of adequate state and local funding for schools, the highly decentralized nature of governance that makes it difficult for the state Department of Education to develop coordinated reforms, the lack of regulation and accountability in the charter sector, and the economic and political instability that have plagued Detroit and other urban areas in the state,” he said. “

Whoop, there it is.

With a bonus.  Bigger control from centralized government, ignore the failing ‘regular’ schools, and put the hammer on the charter schools..

Comrade.

You Betcha! (7)Nuh Uh.(0)

  3 comments for “Money Well Spent

  1. Sue Schwartz
    February 23, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    Not one word utilizing Common Core as the biggest problem. The fix--easy enough--remove cell phones and any computer devices from not only the classroom, but the schools until high school. Stop teaching all that global warming crap under "science". Require memorization of multiplication tables up to the 12 factor. Teach in only English and anything else is an elective. Require all students to partake in either playing an instrument or choir. One book a week to be read--content is not the issue. And sports involvement required. Life skills including sewing, woodworking, small engine repair and farming. And the biggest one of all--stop tracking our kids. Parents, you can opted your kids out of these tests.

    You Betcha! (2)Nuh Uh.(0)
  2. Sue Schwartz
    February 23, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    From Melonie Kurdys as sent to my email this morning. Please do not let this pass without your response.

    As if we don't have enough going on, now we MUST respond to the Michigan Department of Education on their Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) 10 year plan no later than March 16.

    This plan defines education as workforce development​, is based on Common Core and massive data collection on our kids starting PRE-NATAL into the workforce. ​
    It is the plan they want to submit to the Federal Department of Education, for approval.​ ​
    We have the opportunity to provide feedback, which is great, if they will listen to us.
    ​Of course, most of us think we should not have to submit a plan to the Feds for their permission at all, but for now, we can do this.

    ​If we want to get their attention, we really need to get over 2000 people to send comments. I sincerely appreciate your help in this effort.

    Here is the link to the plan and various summaries of the plan:
    http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0, 4615,7-140-37818_76731---,00.h tml
    The Overview is pretty readable.

    ​M​
    y gravest concerns​ are listed below​
    . Please feel free to use these and add any of your own.

    Before March 16, send an email with your concerns to​ MDE and the State Board officers​
    :

    MDE-ESSA@michigan.gov
    drzeile@juno.com
    ulbrichc@michigan.gov
    McMillinT1@michigan.gov
    mfecteau@aaupaft.org

    BCC this email address: stopccinmi@gmail.com

    You Betcha! (3)Nuh Uh.(0)
  3. KG One
    February 24, 2017 at 10:16 am

    Lack of adequate spending, eh?

    I'd like to know if the good professor can explain why districts like DPSCD spend over $14K/student, but other districts have gotten by on far less?

    Should make for a good follow up study!

    You Betcha! (2)Nuh Uh.(0)

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