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The Engler Education Legacy

Sun., November 17, 2002

As the era of Gov. John Engler passes into Michigan history, it would be well to take note of the administration's significant legacy with regard to education policy.

Under Engler's leadership, Michigan became one of the foremost states in education reform - 11th in the country, according to the Heritage Foundation's annual report on school choice in the states. He leaves office with a record of progress few will be able to match: a charter school movement that is alive and well, a more equitable per-pupil school funding formula that dramatically reduced property taxes and guaranteed funding for all public schools, and a public school choice program that provides incentive for schools to compete for students.

Narrowly elected in 1990, Engler faced widespread public dissatisfaction with escalating property taxes to pay for schools, many low-performing schools, and little incentive for improvement. Calling Michigan's education system a "monopoly of mediocrity" early in his term, Engler set out to provide a better education for Michigan students.

Proposal A's origin: Lower taxes, guaranteed funding for schools

In the early 1990s, Michigan's property tax burden was 35 percent above the national average due in part to frequent and irregular local millage elections for education. Engler's administration, along with the Legislature, made attempts to lower property taxes for several years.

In 1993, the Michigan Legislature succeeded in drafting a plan to cut property taxes for education, a move which the New York Times called "the nation's most dramatic shift in a century" for school funding. Michigan voters approved the plan, Proposal A, as a constitutional amendment in 1994.

Proposal A shifted the majority of school funding from local property taxes to the state sales tax, which increased from four to six cents per dollar.

The plan cut property taxes by a third, alleviated equity gaps in per-pupil funding between districts, and established a per-pupil funding guarantee for public schools.

Since the inception of Proposal A, revenues for public schooling have increased by more than 50 percent, from $4,200 to $6,700 per student - double the inflation rate.

The plan's per-pupil funding system, when combined with the public school choice plan enacted later, created the level of competition we see today among Michigan school districts.

Accountability by choice: Charters and public school choice

In late 1993 and early 1994, Engler signed into law provisions allowing the creation of public school academies, or charter schools. At the time, these laws were some of the most progressive education developments in the country, and they have since been replicated in other states.

Though opponents of greater school choice succeeded in placing a "cap" on the number of charter schools that could be opened, Michigan's charter school program now boasts over 180 schools, serving 66,000 students. Long waiting lists at a majority of charter schools attest to the need for more charters, and are putting pressure on the Legislature to raise the cap.

In 1996, Engler's administration implemented a limited public schools-of-choice program that allows students in participating districts to transfer to schools other than their district-assigned school. Students may attend other schools in their own districts or schools in neighboring districts. In the 2000-01 school year, over 80 percent of Michigan schools participated in the program and 33,506 students took advantage of the choice options.

The competition from charters and among public schools has spurred improvement in public schools around the state. The increased choice options allow parents to hold schools accountable for performance. If one school fails to provide a quality education, the parent may send their student (and per-pupil funding) to a charter or other public school.

One example: Faced with competition from four nearby charter schools, Dearborn City Public Schools adopted new art, technology, and a host of other programs in addition to extending the school year and responding to parent requests. In doing so, the district increased its enrollment from 14,229 students in 1994-95 to 17,479 in 2000-01. The growth brought millions of additional dollars into district schools.

"We welcome competition," former Dearborn schools superintendent Dr. Jeremy Hughes said. "The reforms we've enacted would not have happened, at least not as fast, without competition."

Accountability by force: State takeover of school districts

Citing dismal student performance, Engler pushed a state takeover of Detroit schools in 1999, shifting decision-making power from the elected school board to then-Mayor Dennis Archer and an appointed board. In 1999, the Legislature also moved to take over Inkster schools, allowing Edison Schools, an educational management firm, to take over operation of the district.

Since then, Detroit schools have seen the implementation of a district-wide improvement plan, launched by Detroit schools CEO Kenneth Burnley. The plan includes new technology initiatives, efforts direct more money to the classroom through privatization of non-instructional services, and an active public relations campaign to promote the district and draw new students to Detroit schools.

Unfortunately, while the state takeovers have produced greater accountability, they have yet to improve student performance. Detroit and Inkster district student test scores have remained stagnant, even declining in some subjects, since 1999.

Other issues and accomplishments

In 1999, the Kids First! Yes! school voucher initiative was launched, which Engler publicly denounced, saying it had "no hope of passing." His disapproval led to a division within the Republican party - some siding with Engler and the rest, including then-Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus - supporting the voucher proposal. The next year brought defeat of the measure by a greater than 2-to-1 margin. Engler's criticism of the voucher plan was a major factor in its defeat and polarized the issue of school vouchers, making promotion of expanded school choice options more difficult for education reform advocates.

Also in 2000, Governor Engler touted and encouraged the development of Michigan Virtual High School (MIVHS), which allows students to take high school and college courses over the Internet. The program allows students in rural districts and home schooled students access to courses that might not be available to them otherwise. MIVHS also offers Advanced Placement and courses to high school students around the state.

This year, Engler signed a bill that forced school property tax payments to be paid in the summer, avoiding (or at least postponing) a state budget crisis and guaranteeing that schools would have funding before the academic year began.

Engler's Critics and Failures

Proposal A did not pass without criticism, nor did charter schools or public school choice. In fact, all were passed in the face of extreme opposition; opposition that successfully watered down the latter two measures, and is still attempting to dilute the first.

For example, the recent election season brought much discussion of "tweaking" Proposal A to allow increased taxes for education.

On the charter front, despite the benefits to thousands of students, opponents still are trying to contain the movement by limiting the number of schools allowed by law. The issue has exacerbated the partisan split in the Legislature and even created rifts within the Michigan Republican Party.

Engler failed to fully implement a state-wide school accountability program and watched accountability plans languish in the state board of education for years.

In his 2002 State of the State address, Engler blamed the board: "I don't have to wait until 2006 to give this State Board their final grade on accountability. They deserve an 'F.'"

Overall, many education leaders say John Engler has been one of the most effective governors for the state and in the country.

Mike Flanagan, executive director of the Michigan Association of School Administrators, exclaimed, "This year all kids in the state will have at least $6,700 of support. Who could have ever imagined! Gov. Engler deserves a lot of credit for getting us closer to equity for all kids."

Engler leaves behind an education system that is still in need of expanded school choice options and accountability for student achievement; nevertheless, his noteworthy efforts on behalf of Michigan students and taxpayers leave large shoes to fill for his successor, Governor-elect Jennifer Granholm. With Proposal A and Michigan's limited school choice programs as his primary legacy, Engler will go down in history as one of the country's most innovative education reformers.

Michigan Education Daily
"Sara McLaren is taking a once-in-a-decade opportunity to tie the U.S. Census directly to her civics and social studies curriculum at Niles High School." >>
"Research done by the dean of the University of Michigan school of education was featured at length in a New York Times magazine article recently about training effective teachers." >>
"A public education advocacy group said Monday that Michigan should begin taxing consumer services at 5.5 percent, while reducing the existing sales tax from 6 to 5.5 percent, as a way to generate $550 million for schools in 2011." >>
"Michigan Future Inc. has awarded an $850,000 grant to Detroit Edison Public School Academy to help it open a new high school this fall, the first in a planned series of grants." >>
"Members of the Fenton Education Support Personnel have voted to leave the Michigan Education Association and join Teamsters Local 214, saying they want better representation." >>
"The Kent County Circuit Court has upheld an arbitrator's decision that Grand Rapids Public Schools did not violate a labor contract when it privatized transportation workers in 2005, even though their contract with the district had not expired." >>
"The Detroit school board and its emergency financial manager must work together on a school redesign plan if they want to receive federal funding intended for low-achieving Michigan schools." >>
User Comments
Is it true that young ones today are losing interest on these subjects? Obviously, the White House is promoting programs that will help students on coping up with math and science subjects. But, The federal government thinks that the quality of math and science education can repair credit with the scientific community and improve US education with a few <a rev="vote for" title="U.S. Government Spends $250 Million on Science and Math" href="http://personalmoneystore.com/Payday-Loans/ ">payday loans</a> of sorts. In reality, it will take far longer to accomplish than they might think – US educators can't even get students to accept that "irregardless" isn't a word, and the difference between their, they're, and there – our students can't even learn their own language! It's a noble aim, to be sure, but throwing money at it may not work in the long run. >>
I am a teacher in the same county who is presently trying to quit the union. Like Caldwell, I strongly disagree with the MEA.

This article was timely.

Rob Olson
Pittsford Area Schools

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I agree this is a change worth making. I describe some of the uneven effects of the idea on my blog at http://rickolson.blogspot.com/2009/08/statewide-health-insurance-plan-for.html which you may also wish to read.

The devil will be in the details, so this is one we will need to monitor closely.

Rick Olson from Saline, former school Business Manager >>

Nowadays, saving money is very crucial and properly investing the money can keep you and your family away from the effect of the financial crisis. The sad news is that a lot of the options for short term funding have been drying up. Short term funding is a necessary thing to have around, and going through traditional channels such as banks isn't an option for a lot of people anymore – basically it's only open to Ken Lewis. Installment loans are an option, but some people, including senior citizens, have been thinking about raiding their retirement fund. Getting into your pension retirement plan or 401(k) funds is the last thing you want to do if you don't qualify for any withdrawals yet. The penalties are substantial, and you'll end up needing installments loans to pay them if you use retirement funds for <a rev="vote for" title="Installment Loans Reliable Option As 401(k)s are Dwindling" href="http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/05/17/installment-loans-reliable-option-401ks-dwindling/">short term funding</a>.


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I AGREE >>
Godfrey-Lee on the west side of the state has been running all-day, every-day kindergarten for several years. >>
We have a problem in Detroit Public School, their system had cash flow problem for years now. And honestly it getting worst in terms in progression with more children leaving to charter their schools almost every year. The state decided to give the Detroit school districts cash advance of $70 million so they would meet the schools expenses, as well as payment for teachers. Robert Bobb, the newly appointed emergency financial manager, requested the funds early in order for him to get the house in order before he had to start panicking. President Obama has been giving out large sums of money for troubled school districts, perhaps that’s where a generous portion of the aid came from. Getting Detroit Public Schools in working order is a worthy cause.

LINK TO READ FOR MORE INFO:
http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/03/10/state-advance-detroit-public-schools-70m/


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I am all for school choice and think its great that charters are finally moving forward. However, I'm wondering if the research accounts for a playing field that is not level. I can't take my school buildings and move them anywhere I want, nor can I simply slap up a pole building and make it a school. If anything, public schools need less state regulation and oversight so we can play by the same minimal rules charters do. If you want public schools to compete to improve, remove the barriers to doing so. I will gladly except less funding per pupil if the playing field is level.
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The purpose is to encourage non excercising children to excercise but my daughter's highschool gave her an improper body fat percentage and made my healthy daughter who trains 20 hours a week in tap jazz and ballet believe she was overweaghit instead of a person with muscles.
I believe the public schools do not have the right to make the diagnoses with these kids because they are using one measurement and recording it from their arms that they have a certain percetnage of body fat with one arm caliper test.
Does any one have feed back?
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Specifically, 81 percent of students in religiously affiliated schools and 82 percent of students in other private schools have parents who report being "very satisfied" with their schools, compared to 55 percent of students in assigned public schools and 63 percent of students in chosen public schools.

High levels of satisfaction among private school parents also extend to opinions about their children's teachers, academic standards of the school, order and discipline at the school, the amount of homework assigned, and interactions with school personnel.

http://fitt.in >>