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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
October 2, 2007

Contents of this issue:
  • State budget deal reforms teacher health insurance
  • Students show slight improvement in NAEP scores
  • Schools offer certificate to show workplace readiness
  • Districts Offer Incentives to Increase Attendance for Count Day
  • Plymouth-Canton teachers to receive new insurance, raises
  • Comment and win an iPod
STATE BUDGET DEAL REFORMS TEACHER HEALTH INSURANCE
LANSING, Mich. — Legislation to lower the burden of health insurance costs for public school districts was among the many measures passed last weekend as lawmakers addressed the overspending in Michigan's budget, according to Booth Newspapers.

The legislation allows districts to now pool employees' health costs and also mandates that employers competitively bid for insurance coverage. This aspect of the bill faced the most opposition because it requires the Michigan Education Special Services Association, a third-party health administrator affiliated with the Michigan Education Association school employees union, to release claims data. Supporters say this could save millions of dollars each year, Booth Newspapers reported. Claims data will be aggregate so as to protect the identity of individual employees.

The Legislature also reformed the state's school employee retirement system. The new program will model that used for other state employees. Retired school employees will now have a percentage of their health care costs paid by the state each month. The percentage will be on a scale system and tied to how many years the employee worked, according to Booth Newspapers.

SOURCE:
Booth Newspapers, "Deal includes changes aimed at saving school health costs," Oct. 1, 2007
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/ business-13/119123341150540.xml&storylist=newsmichigan

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "School Districts Report Saving Money in Insurance Pool," Feb. 23, 2007
http://www.educationreport.org/8239

STUDENTS SHOW SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN NAEP SCORES
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Results of the last National Assessment of Educational Progress test show slight improvements in math and elementary reading, while progress in correcting racial achievement gaps has worsened or stalled, according to the Detroit Free Press.

More than 702,000 students participated in the assessment of 4th and 8th graders' competence in reading and mathematics. Math scores for both elementary and middle school students increased, but not as significantly as in previous years. The percentage of fourth-grade students who scored proficient or better in math has tripled; while the proportion of eighth-grade students meeting or surpassing proficiency has doubled since 1990. Eighth grade scores in reading have only improved one point since 2005 and three points from 1992, the Free Press reported.

In Michigan, fourth-grade students met the national average reading score, and scored one point lower than the national average in math. The state's eighth graders scored one point lower than the national average in reading and three points lower than the average in math, according to the Free Press.

"This report shows while Michigan student assessment scores are fairly consistent with national trends, overall achievement is far too low, especially among economically disadvantaged students," Mike Flanagan, state superintendent of public instruction, told the Free Press.

SOURCE:
Detroit Free Press, "Michigan students on par with nation in math and reading," Sept. 25, 2007
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070925/NEWS06/ 70925031/1019/BUSINESS06

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Michigan Rankings on National Education Test Fall in 8th Grade, Stagnate in 4th; Proficiency Scores Flat," Sept. 26, 2007
http://www.mackinac.org/9010

SCHOOLS OFFER CERTIFICATE TO SHOW WORKPLACE READINESS
LANSING, Mich. — Schools in Eaton, Clinton and Ingham counties are beginning to grant graduating seniors a National Career Readiness Certificate if they demonstrate competence in applied mathematics, reading for information and locating information, according to The Lansing State Journal.

The certificate is supposed to serve as another source of information to potential employers regarding a student's skill set. Depending on the level of performance, a student may receive a gold, silver or bronze certificate. Certification is based on scores from the applied mathematics and reading sections of the Michigan Merit Exam, and through an additional test on locating information, The State Journal reported.

Although the MME measures the first two components of certification, a consortium of schools and businesses have pushed for federal funding of the locating information portion. Advocates of the certification program say this test will ensure a well-trained workforce in Michigan, according to The State Journal.

SOURCE:
The Lansing State Journal, "Kogut: Schools offer proof of work-force readiness," Sept. 28, 2007
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/OPINION02/709280322/1085/opinion

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Undereducated Today, Outsourced Tomorrow," Nov. 16, 2004
http://www.mackinac.org/6886

DISTRICTS OFFER INCENTIVES TO INCREASE ATTENDANCE FOR COUNT DAY
DETROIT — Many public school districts made efforts to provide incentives for students to attended school on count day in hopes of receiving as much funding from the state as possible, according to The Detroit News.

State funding for schools is determined, in part, on a per-pupil basis. This per-pupil funding is determined through a blended enrollment count on the second Wednesday in February and the fourth Wednesday after Labor Day of the following school year. Schools take 25 percent of their enrollment in February and combine it with 75 percent of the enrollment the next fall, The News reported.

School districts are anticipating a freeze in the foundation allowance from the state this year and used creative incentives to make sure students were present for the count. In Hazel Park, for example, elementary schools aligned student picture day with count day and middle school students were given a pizza party. The district lost about 200 students last year and is anticipating a loss of about another 100 students this year, according to The News.

Students at Detroit Public Schools' Pasteur Elementary were treated to a picnic at a church across the street from the school and had a chance to play football and other games, The News reported. DPS enrollment has dropped about 10,000 students a year for the past several years and the district recently closed 33 schools.

Although count day is important, schools do have a chance to adjust their enrollment numbers to account for legitimate absences, like illness.

"I'm not going to lie to you — it's a very important day," Michelle Irwin, director of community relations and programs for the L'Anse Creuse schools, told The News. "But keep in mind, count day isn't just (today). It's also the day before and the 30 days after."

SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "Schools entice kids for funds," Sept. 26, 2007
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070926/SCHOOLS/709260393/1026

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Pupil Counts," in "A Michigan School Money Primer," May 31, 2007
http://www.mackinac.org/8579

PLYMOUTH-CANTON TEACHERS TO RECEIVE NEW INSURANCE, RAISES
PLYMOUTH, Mich. — The Plymouth-Canton Education Association union has agreed to a two-year contract with the board of education that includes pay raises and a switch in health insurance, according to The Canton Eagle.

This year, teachers at the top of the pay scale will receive a bonus of 1.5 percent, while all others will see a 0.25 percent raise. Those at the top of the pay scale will receive an additional 2 percent raise next year, The Eagle reported.

The PCEA also voted unanimously to change health coverage to a Blue Cross/Blue Shield Community Blue PPO starting in January 2008. The district expects to save more than $400,000 through the switch, according to The Eagle.

"It's a win for both sides," union representative Chuck Portelli told The Eagle. "It's savings for them and good for our members," he said.

SOURCE:
The Canton Eagle, "District, teachers agree to pact," Sept. 27, 2007
http://www.journalgroup.com/Canton/6025/district-teachers-agree-to-pact

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Growing number of districts seek solutions to costly health insurance," Dec. 15, 2005
http://www.educationreport.org/7479

COMMENT AND WIN AN IPOD
MIDLAND, Mich. — Go to http://forum.educationreport.org and post a comment for a chance to win one of three iPods.

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

Contact Managing Editor Sarah Grether at
mailto:med@educationreport.org



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Related Topics: Education
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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 >>