More on Narrowing the Focus of Changing Legislation

Bill gets tough with Michigan's failing schools

BY CHASTITY PRATT DAWSEY • FREE PRESS EDUCATION WRITER • November 21, 2008

The leaders of schools that chronically fail to meet federal standards would have to give up control of those schools for five straight years under a bill introduced Wednesday in Lansing.

The bill calls for school boards of traditional public and charter schools to contractually hand over a failing school's administration and funding for five years to outside organizations with proven track records for turning around schools. It also applies to schools that are unaccredited for three years or more.

Rep. Tim Melton, D-Auburn Hills, who chairs the House education committee, introduced the bill. He could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Under the bill, local school officials could choose to contract out the operations of schools that fail for four years to meet annual yearly progress standards. After five years, the state superintendent would have to do so.

In 2007-08, 216 schools had failed to make average yearly progress for four years or more and eight were unaccredited, according to Michigan Department of Education records.

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan says he likes the leeway the bill would give him in developing the process, contracts and a list of approved organizations.

"The state superintendent supports the additional authority this bill provides to better assist struggling schools," said Jan Ellis, a spokeswoman for Flanagan.

The bill comes as legislators are considering another bill to change the definition of a first-class school district, now defined as a district with 100,000 or more students.

Detroit Public Schools has been the only first-class school district. However, enrollment dropped to 94,053 this fall.

If lawmakers do not change the definition, more charter schools could open in the city to compete with DPS for students and state funding.

Melton's bill doesn't address the first-class issue, but some expect an effort to attach it to the bill as it wends it way through the Legislature.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, is "going to wait and see what form it takes when it comes out of committee," said Matt Marsden, his spokesman.

The Michigan Education Association does not support the bill.

"It's unclear how this would affect a staff, bargaining and tenure," said Doug Pratt, spokesman for MEA.

"Is it too broad right now and does it need more clarity? Yes," he said of the bill.

Gary Naeyaert, spokesman for Michigan's Charter Schools, predicted that if the bill passes, few school takeovers would occur.

"The threat ... is going to send shock waves through traditional public schools and they will do better," he said.

Contact CHASTITY PRATT DAWSEY at 313-223-4537 or cpratt@freepress.com.