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    Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?

    Raise the curtain.

    House Votes For Charter Caps To Be Lifted


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 09:03:54 AM EST
    Tags: Michigan, SB618 Pavlov, Colbeck, Emmons, Hansen, Robertson, Schools, Charter Caps, Competition (all tags)

    Figured I would toss this update in here. Charter schools, and the competition they offer can do much by encouraging all sectors to a higher performance standard.

    House votes to put students, parents first; lifts arbitrary cap on charter schools

    LANSING - As students across Michigan end the fall semester and prepare to break for Christmas, the state House of Representatives on Wednesday approved Senate Bill 618, legislation to lift the arbitrary cap on charter schools in Michigan, empowering parents and putting children first.

    Two-thirds of the state's charter schools, most in urban districts like Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit, have waiting lists as parents demand more choices and better results for their children.

    "Parents want the best for their children, and that starts with a quality education," said the bill's sponsor, Senate Education Committee Chair Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township. "Today's action by the House of Representatives to lift the cap on charter schools and give parents quality options for their kids' education is a critical step toward improving Michigan's whole education system."


    SB 618 was previously approved by the state Senate in October. The bill now goes to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.

    Continued below.

    In addition to today's action to remove the arbitrary cap on university-authorized charter schools, the House is currently considering additional parent-empowerment reforms that would improve educational opportunities for Michigan children, including bills to:

    • Expand opportunities for cyber learning in Michigan;

    • Allow a majority of parents or teachers at a failing school to petition their district to convert the school to a charter;

    • Expand opportunities for public school districts to provide part-time services to non-public school students; and

    • Allow access to dual enrollment college credits for all high school students.

    Pavlov applauded the speaker of the House and the chair of the House Education Committee for their work.

    "The status quo is failing too many children," Pavlov said. "That is something none of us, Republicans or Democrats, should tolerate. I commend the leadership of Speaker Bolger and Chairman McMillin in taking this major step toward breaking down barriers standing between our kids and their future."

    The education reform package is sponsored by Sens. Pavlov; Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton; Judy Emmons, R-Sheridan; Goeff Hansen, R-Hart; and Dave Robertson, R-Grand Blanc Township.

    < Not So Fast With The PC Jack! Err.. Uhmm Henry. | And She IS Still At It >


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    It's nice to see things going right ... (none / 0) (#1)
    by Pogo on Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 10:25:18 AM EST
         Might one say, Right(in)Michigan? Between the House vote to defund RichardvilleCare and the cap being lifted, not a bad day today. It's just amazing that the education monopoly could roadblock charters for this long. Well, maybe not a monopoly now.

    Hallelujah!!!!!!!! (none / 0) (#3)
    by maidintheus on Fri Dec 16, 2011 at 12:03:07 PM EST


    Done deal: PA 277 (none / 0) (#7)
    by Corinthian Scales on Tue Dec 20, 2011 at 08:53:34 PM EST
    Charter school reform bill signed by governor

    Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011

    LANSING, Mich. - Parents and students will have more options about where to attend school under landmark charter school reform legislation signed into law by the governor today.

    The bill signing marks an important milestone in efforts to transform Michigan's educational system into a performance-based system that puts student needs first.  It follows the successful passage of teacher tenure reform legislation that will focus on a new system of educator effectiveness, giving teachers and administrators the tools to help guide students to success and academic growth.

    Joined at a bill signing ceremony by Senate Education Committee Chair Phil Pavlov, House Education Committee Chair Tom McMillin and other legislators and educational choice advocates, the governor hailed the reform as an overdue step forward that will help Michigan attract the top charter school operators from across the nation and encourage more choice at the local level.

    "Charter schools play a critical role in providing Michigan students and parents with alterative educational options," Snyder said.  "This reform gives families who are trapped in failing schools more freedom to take control of their future."

    Public charter schools were an innovative concept when they were first introduced in Michigan in 1994, but because they were new, the number of charter schools that could be established was limited.  The governor called on lawmakers to lift this restriction when he rolled out his education reform plan in April, pointing out that the cap was arbitrary and long wait-lists show the need for action.

    Senate Bill 618, sponsored by Pavlov, amends the state school code to lift and eventually remove the cap currently limiting the number of university-authorized charter schools.  With this change, the number of charter schools that may be authorized will raise to 300 through 2012 and 500 through 2014, after which the cap will be completely removed.

    The legislation also requires charter schools to meet the same rigorous standards as other public schools, which means they must comply with laws concerning participation in state assessments, student growth models and accountability standards.  S.B. 618 increases transparency by requiring charter schools to make contract information available to the public.

    "Lifting Michigan's charter school cap gives hope to thousands of parents who will  now be empowered to choose the education they believe is best for their children," said Pavlov, of St. Clair Township.  "Today marks a historic moment in Michigan, and I'm proud to be part of it."

    Charter schools are public schools.  They may not charge tuition and they must accept anyone who applies to attend without screening out students based on race, religion, sex or test scores.  If the number of students who apply for admission exceeds enrollment capacity, students are randomly selected to attend.  

    S.B. 618 is now Public Act 277 of 2011.

    • Yay! by maidintheus, 12/21/2011 02:06:15 PM EST (none / 0)
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