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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
May 11, 2004

Contents of this issue:

  • 100,000 MEA members near deadline to save $200 each

  • State promises MEAP scores will be returned on time

  • New York union chief proposes teacher incentive pay

  • Madison Heights superintendent may have questionable doctorate

  • Colorado governor approves college vouchers

  • Federal education department to decide on state accountability revisions

100,000 MEA MEMBERS NEAR DEADLINE TO SAVE $200 EACH
Midland, Mich. — More than 100,000 Michigan teachers and public school personnel are about to take home slightly smaller paychecks for the next two decades unless they opt out of a new union fund drive by June 1.

The Michigan Education Association will begin a 20-year program of deducting an additional ten dollars per year from each of its members' paychecks to raise an estimated $1.1 million annually. A flyer promoting "all inclusive membership" says the money would bolster MEA's political clout by automatically adding members to the union's retiree organization.

To opt out of paying the extra fees, MEA members must "write an individual letter" to their local membership chair by the June 1 deadline, according to a union memo. Members who take no action will see their paychecks deducted automatically.

MEA member and special education teacher Linda Taylor objected to the new fees. She said, "The union already takes too much of our money then spends it on projects and political campaigns that a large percentage of the membership do not even support."

Last year the union raised members' compulsory dues by the maximum amount allowed by its bylaws.

SOURCES:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "100,000 Public School Employees Near Deadline to Save $200 Each," May 11, 2004
http://www.mackinac.org/6629

Michigan Education Association memo, April 30, 2004
http://www.mackinac.org/media/images/2004/meamember.pdf

Michigan Education Association flyer, "All Inclusive Membership," April 30, 2004
http://www.mackinac.org/media/images/2004/meawhyjoin.pdf

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "MEA Teachers Face Maximum Dues Hike to Ease $10 Million Union Shortfall," March 12, 2003
http://www.mackinac.org/5181

STATE PROMISES MEAP SCORES WILL BE RETURNED ON TIME
LANSING, Mich. — The state Department of Education will release this year's Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test scores on time following three years of delays and other problems with the test scores.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm moved administration of the MEAP test from the Treasury Department back to the Department of Education in 2003. The last three years of test administration has seen delays, missing tests and allegations of cheating.

The Department of Education in October hired a test company executive to oversee the MEAP program and improve its execution, including eliminating delays in scoring the test.

SOURCES:
Booth Newspapers, "MEAP scores will be on time, state vows," May 6, 2004
http://www.mlive.com/news/statewide/index.ssf?/base/news-4/ 1083795001269270.xml

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Granholm Should Move MEAP Test Administration Back to Education Department," Nov. 20, 2002
http://www.mackinac.org/4861

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "How Does the MEAP Measure Up?" December 2001
http://www.mackinac.org/3919

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "POLICY BRIEF: Which Educational Achievement Test is Best for Michigan?" May 2002
http://www.mackinac.org/4382

NEW YORK UNION CHIEF PROPOSES TEACHER INCENTIVE PAY
NEW YORK, N.Y. — The chief of the New York City teachers' union proposed a pay increase to teachers willing to teach in the city's lowest-performing schools.

The proposal suggests a 15 percent increase for teachers willing to relocate to the 200 lowest-performing schools in the city, funded by a new court-ordered $1.5 billion increase in state funding.

After the announcement, Chancellor of New York City schools Joel Klein did not agree to the proposal, but said, "I think there were some interesting ideas in there. I look forward to talking to her about them." Klein told the New York Times that Mayor Bloomberg has included an incentive pay plan in his proposal for the new state funding.

SOURCES:
New York Times, "A Proposal for Incentive Pay at Low-Performing Schools," May 9, 2004
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/09/education/09teach.html

Michigan Education Report, "Incentives for Teacher Performance in Government Schools: An Idea Whose Time Has Come," Spring 2002
http://www.educationreport.org/4373

Michigan Education Report, "Increase teachers' pay the right way," Early Fall 2000
http://www.educationreport.org/3084

MADISON HEIGHTS SUPERINTENDENT MAY HAVE QUESTIONABLE DOCTORATE
MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. — An editorial in the Detroit News questioned the superintendent of the Madison Heights public school district for failing to produce proof of his doctorate to the local board of education, saying it could have been purchased at a "diploma mill."

Steve I. Johnson, who earns $250,000 per year as Superintendent, claims he earned his doctorate in educational philosophy in 1996 from LaSalle University in Philadelphia. But that university says they only offer a master's degree in education. "Perhaps Johnson earned his sheepskin from the now-defunct distance-learning LaSalle University in Mandeville, La. The FBI shut down that school eight years ago and charged the president with fraud," wrote the News.

Though Johnson was hired based on his master's credentials, the News suggests that having a false advanced degree belies the integrity of the school district and sets a poor example for staff and students. "If he's claiming a degree he doesn't have, what is he teaching those children about honesty, integrity and hard work?"

SOURCES:
Detroit News, "Madison Heights School Chief Should Show His Diploma," May 6, 2004
http://www.detnews.com/2004/editorial/0405/08/a12-144004.htm

USA Today, "States probe teachers' uses of bogus advanced degrees," May 4, 2004
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2004-05-04-bogus-degrees_x.htm

COLORADO GOVERNOR APPROVES COLLEGE VOUCHERS
DENVER, Colo. — Colorado Gov. Bill Owens yesterday signed into law the nation's first college voucher program, which provides state-funded tuition vouchers to students in the state.

The law allows qualified students to receive up to $2,400 for attending a state university or $1,200 while attending a private institution. "Quality education isn't about institutions, it's about the future of our students," Owens said. "It's a new day for higher education funding in America, and I'm proud to say that it's dawning in Colorado."

Opponents of the program say the portion that allows state money to be used at private institutions could be challenged in court and will require cuts in other state services.

Michigan's popular college tuition tax-credit program has operated for years with no such court challenges.

SOURCES:
CNN, "Nation's first college voucher program OK'd," May 10, 2004
http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/05/10/college.vouchers/index.html

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Education Reform, School Choice, and Tax Credits," April 2002
http://www.mackinac.org/4191

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Friedman Says Vouchers and Tax Credits Useful Route to Greater School Choice," March 2002
http://www.mackinac.org/4117

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "The Case for Choice in Schooling: Restoring Parental Control of Education," January 2001
http://www.mackinac.org/3236

FEDERAL ED DEPARTMENT TO DECIDE ON STATE ACCOUNTABILITY REVISIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly all 50 states plan to make changes in their accountability plans which were originally approved just last year under the "No Child Left Behind" Act.

Forty states plan to make changes for reasons ranging from new flexibility in the interpretation of the federal law to implementing systems other states have succeeded with. "Our goal is to wring every ounce of flexibility out of the law, but not to change the law," said Raymond J. Simon, assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education. "That's where we draw the line."

The Department of Education requested that all proposed changes be submitted to Washington before April 1. If approved, a state must incorporate the approved changes and have the department sign off on it before it can be implemented. "We're proud of the states for taking another look at their plans," said Simon. "I think it's a positive sign that states and districts are trying to make this work."

SOURCES:
Education Week, "States Seek Federal OK For Revisions," May 5, 2004
http://www.edweek.com/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=34Account.h23

Michigan Education Report, "No Child Left Behind law demands 'adequate yearly progress' and offers school choice options for parents," Fall 2002
http://www.mackinac.org/4846

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST is a service of Michigan Education Report ( http://www.educationreport.org), a quarterly newspaper with a circulation of 130,000 published by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ( http://www.mackinac.org), a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research and educational institute.

Contact Managing Editor Neil Block at
med@educationreport.org.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to:
http://www.educationreport.org/pubs/mer/listserver.aspx.
Related Topics: Education
Michigan Education Daily
Wed., March 17, 2010
"Detroit Public Schools will end up with 100 fewer school buildings than it had in 2006 if a new closure plan is carried out." >>
Tue., March 16, 2010
"Most of the country's public schools would have more freedom under a proposed rewrite of the No Child Left Behind law." >>
Tue., March 16, 2010
"Reading scores improved in all grades, and math scores in most grades, while science and social studies scores dipped slightly on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program tests taken in fall of 2009." >>
Mon., March 15, 2010
"Some parents who attended a South Redford School District forum recently called on teachers to make wage or benefit concessions as a way to protect school programs." >>
Sun., March 14, 2010
"An ambitious proposal to overhaul Detroit Public Schools ran into opposition Thursday over the issue of dissolving the school board and allowing Mayor Dave Bing to take charge." >>
Sat., March 13, 2010
"At least 14 public school districts in the Muskegon area offer some type of alternative education, either on their own or through a consortium, but the programs are under both budget and academic pressure." >>
Fri., March 12, 2010
"Michigan voters may see a ballot initiative in August asking them to approve a sales tax on services, with the understanding that their approval would also mean education spending reform, the chairman of the House Education Committee said Wednesday." >>
User Comments
JackI
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. >>
beggarsall
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

>>
rickolson
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 >>
MichelleO

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>.


>>
QUEEN_BEE_09
I AGREE >>
colonelb
Godfrey-Lee on the west side of the state has been running all-day, every-day kindergarten for several years. >>
BenjaminY
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/


>>
colonelb
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.
>>
karen
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?
>>
deepakp9
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 >>