LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that public school districts cannot be forced to collect data for the Center for Educational Performance and Information unless they are paid for the work, according to an Associated Press report posted at mlive.com
In a 4-3 decision, the court said that a 2000 executive order and subsequent law was unconstitutional because lawmakers did not arrange for the state to cover costs, AP reported.
The majority ruling said the costs were not minimal, though the three dissenting justices said that the districts did not offer specific proof of actual costs, according to AP. The Michigan Department of Education had no comment, AP reported.
SOURCE:
The Associated Press, "Court: Data mandate on Michigan schools is illegal," July 14, 2010
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Data-driven in Michigan," April 21, 2008
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
Please consider contributing to our work to advance a freer and more prosperous state.