Detroit Announces New Authority For Failing Schools

A plan revealed Monday to overhaul Detroit's public schools left stakeholders with more questions than answers about the future of education in the Motor City.

The lowest performing schools in Detroit will be taken over by a new authority created in partnership with the state, Detroit Public Schools and Eastern Michigan University, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (R) and DPS Emergency Manager Roy Roberts announced at a news conference to much fanfare and some protests.

The new "Education Achievement System" (EAS) has the support of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, signaling its resonance beyond the borders of Detroit. Duncan has called the district "ground zero" for education reform and spoke via satellite at the Monday news conference.

Snyder and Roberts also announced a second initiative Monday: a scholarship program that would finance two years of college or vocational school for all Detroit high school graduates. The fund would be sponsored by "businesses and philanthropic organizations," Roberts said.

Though no official has said which groups will contribute the money, a representative in Snyder's office confirmed the program will receive donations from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. Billionaire Eli Broad is a Detroit native, and his foundation has been influential in recent reforms to Detroit's schools.

The idea of targeting failing schools with specific reforms has been promoted by the Obama administration. If done right, Duncan said, the EAS has the "potential to be a model not just for the city, not just for the state, but for the entire country."

HOW IT WORKS

The plan mirrors similar efforts in New Orleans and Tennessee that target the lowest-performing schools. But how Michigan's EAS will live up to its promise to improve Detroit's schools -- and address the district's crippling debt -- has yet to be revealed.

What Roberts did say is that the state will run the EAS in partnership with EMU beginning in the 2012-2013 school year. The coming 2011-2012 school year will be an "incubation" period for the development of the system. In addition enveloping schools from DPS, the system is slated to expand to include low-performing schools throughout Michigan.

Schools deemed low-performing based on standardized test scores and student grade point averages will enter the EAS. After five years in the system, an evaluation will determine whether the school can choose to go back to local control.

A parent advisory council will be created at each school, and each parent will be required to sign a contract certifying involvement in his or her child's education.

The new authority will function with an 11-member board. Two members will be appointed by DPS, two appointed by the university and seven by the governor. Five of those board members will make up the system's executive committee, chaired by Roberts.

The goal, Snyder said, is streamlined authority, and the plan includes a restructuring of the DPS central office.

"Only 55 percent of the dollars show up in the classroom," he said. "We need to strive for a system where we get 95 percent of the dollars in the classroom."

Roberts said EAS would help eliminate Detroit Public Schools' $327 million debt in five years, but he did not specify how it would do so.

Detroit's education unions are skeptical.

"More questions than answers remain at this point, not the least of which include who will be part of the planning team, how the new system will be designed, and what will happen to the collective bargaining rights of employees of the Detroit Public Schools and the Education Achievement System," DPS union leaders wrote in a joint statement.

According to a FAQ on the new plan released by DPS, teachers whose schools are moved into the new system would be required to reapply for their jobs.

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Comments

[JonAwbrey]

01:54 PM on 06/27/2011

Waiting For SuperFraud

Here's a good article that will help Michigande­rs and other observers understand the brand of PR blitz — bankrolled by the Billionair­e Boys (and Betsy) Club — that we can expect to see broadcast all over Detroit and Michigan in the upcoming year:

Michael T. Martin • “Waiting For SuperFraud”
• http://ksdcitizens.org/2010/12/22/waiting-for-superfraud/

The invasion of cash from so-called “philanthr­opists” is what is known in the Biz as a “Loss Leader”. Big bucks will be pumped into the system to make it look like the reforms are a smashing success. If that strategy works the way it has in other States and Washington­, DC, a lot of data will get cooked and lot of Agenda-Dri­ven Statistification (ADS) will get trumpeted all over the Corporate Air Waves in order to make it look like there was any improvemen­t at all.

[JonAwbrey]

01:59 PM on 06/27/2011

Waiting For SuperFraud (cont.)

Never mind the small stuff, the truth won't matter. More big bucks will be pumped into rah-rah ads and corporate media “documenta­ries” to cover up the facts. By the time the Public figures out what is really going down, the school system will be so far down the road to privatizat­ion for corporate cash, command, and control that it will take the People all they can do to keep any shred of equal opportunit­y education at all.

You have to understand that these people are not philanthro­pists — “lovers of humanity” — they are investors. They don't give money away — they invest money for the sake of making more money, acting in tandem with their ego-driven need to force their personal ideology on the rest of the world. It does not make an ounce of difference to them if they have to destroy the American way of life — it's just so much collateral damage in their war on public education.

[JonAwbrey]

01:50 PM on 06/27/2011

The Broad Axe Falls Again …

Seattle Education Blog • “The Broad Foundation”
• http://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/race-to-the-top/the-broad-foundation/

Seattle Education Blog • “Eli Broad’s Last Hurrah In Detroit?”
• http://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/eli-broad’s-last-hurrah-in-detroit/

Don't sweat the details of their sales pitch. One thing we've learned about the Corporate Privateers is that it doesn't really matter what their PR says — the agenda is always the same.

Say hello to the East India Teaching Company !

[JonAwbrey]

11:02 PM on 06/24/2011

Just in case anyone thinks these Educational Privateers are relics of bygone days, here's a number of recent stories on their ongoing program to destroy one of democracy's most precious resources —

Daily Kos • “The United Gates Of America”
• http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/05/22/978218/-The-United-Gates-of-America

Business Insider • “Rupert Murdoch, Who Bought 90% Of An Education Software Provider, Launches Initiative ‘To Make Education A Top Issue In 2012 Presidential Campaign’”
• http://www.businessinsider.com/rupert-murdoch-news-corp-education-2012-presidential-campaign-2011-5

Jim Hightower • “Billionaires' Front Groups Attack Workers, Public Schools, and Young Voters”
• http://www.hightowerlowdown.org/node/2680

Michigan Populist • “Snyder’s Plan for Public Schools Defies Voters Wishes”
• http://www.michiganpopulist.org/?p=40

Michigan Populist • “Kids are Collateral Damage in Mackinac Center’s War”
• http://www.michiganpopulist.org/?p=177

[JonAwbrey]

06:42 AM on 06/23/2011

The following Facebook page is a good resource for learning how communities across the nation are dealing with the ongoing degradation of their public education systems.

Wear Red For Public Ed • http://www.facebook.com/wearredforpubliced

Many people across the country are beginning to realize that there is a coordinated campaign by corporate-dominated State governments to turn back the clock on American education to the days and ways of private privilege we once had the good sense to revolt against.

[JonAwbrey]

12:10 AM on 06/23/2011

Anyone with a working long-term memory knows where this agenda to “Starve Public Schools Out Of Existence” came from.

Good thing there's web search for the rest of us —

Richard DeVos Advocates “Stealth” Strategy Against Public Education

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-fTAhc4QC4

Blackwater In-Law DeVos Outlines “Stealth” Plot Against Public Education

• http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/05/04/972949/-Blackwater-In-Law-DeVos-outlines-stealth-plot-against-Public-Education

Strategy for Privatizing Public Schools Spelled out by Dick DeVos in 2002 Heritage Foundation Speech

• http://www.talk2action.org/story/2011/5/3/12515/58655/Front_Page/Strategy_for_Privatizing_Public_Schools_Spelled_out_by_Dick_D

[x1jodonn]

09:07 PM on 06/22/2011

In California we cut $20 BILLION from education over the last three years. Class sizes for many teachers have nearly doubled and tens of thousands of teachers have been given pink slips.

Sure, there’s waste in the system, but it's not because the teachers have been so privileged (they actually get less money than their private sector counterparts with comparable levels of education).

More and more money goes to administrators -- esp. those willing to slash budgets -- and to privateering boondoggles (unproven, corporate-sponsored programs infringing on proven pedagogical methods) and charter schools (20+ years of encroachment from private enterprise).

While some think that charter schools are the “silver bullet,” several studies over the last decade or so have documented huge charter school failures and the fact that ON AVERAGE they perform NO BETTER than public schools -- despite the fact that they have more resources and more say in choosing their student body, taking: fewer disabled students, fewer English-language learners, and fewer students with chronic behavior problems.

The problem isn't too much money spent on proven strategies demanded by teachers: reduced class size, decent facilities, ample resources, and, yes, adequate salaries for educators. The shift has been AWAY from all that. As the system has foundered over the past couple decades, it’s the teachers who've been disempowered and overridden.

Meanwhile, charlatans like Michelle Rhee and Geoffrey Canada have only seen their fortunes soar.

[Jenn May]

08:04 PM on 06/22/2011

Despite what Snyder says, EMU is NOT fully on board with the endeavor.

http://www.annarbor.com/news/emu-regents-approve-participation-in-snyders-new-statewide-system-for-failing-schools/

[prettyd72]

06:15 PM on 06/21/2011

I think Detroiter's should be very afraid (or at least very concerned). The government, especially a republican one, never does anything for free or entirely for the good of the people; IT IS ALWAYS FOR PROFIT. They're essentially selling our kids by making public education for profit. Officials from charter schools have already walked through many school buildings to pick the carcass of DPS and target potential buildings for next year. But no one has offered a specific plan of how any of this is actually going to help the children;yeah the kids, remember them? Somehow the detaisl are always sketchy at best. Increasing class sizes is one sure way to fail the students and teachers in the district. And how are they going to get 95% of the money into the class room without giving the teachers some autonomy or at least a voice in this process? It all sounds like more bs, Detroit gets another promise,our teachers lose jobs, our kids get screwed and someone on the right walks away with fat pockets.

[djaikins]

04:54 PM on 06/21/2011

Blaming the teachers and the unions is simplistic and wrong headed. If you are looking for a culprit, look in the mirror.

[hk usp 45]

06:41 PM on 06/21/2011

Look in the mirror?

If by that you mean that my tax dollars are feeding the slovenly corrupt beast, I agree with you.

Who will starve the beast?

[Patriot86]

01:56 PM on 06/23/2011

You are a be_ast...the entire GOP is...and you are de_vouring all that is good about this country but we will stop you...Snyder will be recalled.

[VA Jill]

01:32 PM on 06/21/2011

Rick Snyder and his brownshirts are slowly but surely taking over the state of MIchigan. The citizens need to bo what their brothers and sisters next door are doing and start planning the recall now. Of course, he'll probably figure out some way to not let anyone vote except his buddies.

[corwin]

05:56 PM on 06/21/2011

One of the biggest disappointments I've noticed as a Michigan resident is the parents who have selfishly placed their kids' interests first. .And,many of the DPS teachers-even if willing to take a large pay cut are hampered by the charters insistence on knowledge of 'subject matter'.Still, I'm glad fmr Gov Granholm-after steering us through a record setting 8 consecutive years of higher unemployment is employed at a Calif college teaching job creating skills.

[Eric Mann]

09:53 PM on 06/22/2011

I agree with your sentiment, but the Nazi reference is totally uncalled for. No matter how bad this is, they are not smashing store windows or executing people in the street.

[VA Jill]

11:13 PM on 06/22/2011

Yet. But remember, when Fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross. (Sinclair Lewis is credited with that, but apparently did not say it. Someone did, however.)

[Patriot86]

01:57 PM on 06/23/2011

The reference is justified...when a Governor declares martial law and overturn elections...it is quite clearly justified.

[Jenn May]

09:45 AM on 06/21/2011

and what exactly has this emergency manager running the schools for the past two years done? Nothing. There is a falling population, and not enough income to support the schools. Some of the schools need to close, that is a given. However, the same time Snyder is trying to promote himself as this great proponent of education, he also just slashes millions from the budgets of the schools, and has started a massive attack on teachers.

Why are teachers turned away from the town halls? Why are the educators not a part of the solution process and being left out of the loop? Why do we have such a disregard for the people who actually have their boots on the ground, and see first hand what happens in the classroom everyday?

This sounds like a corporate takeover of education to me, much like Snyder has been trying to do to the rest of the state. RECALL SNYDER!

[Greg34]

03:06 PM on 06/21/2011

Its those educators that have failed, it is those unions and democrats that bankrupted Detroit and made it so undesireable people have fled that city as fast as they can. This is the right thing to do for the students all the adults bickering of scraps of the budget get the heck out of the way.

[tkwiley44]

03:30 PM on 06/21/2011

It is the poverty that causes the failure and only those that have NO CLUE as to how people learn make statements such as yours. After just one school year of state takeover these people will be crying about the poverty. Until we deal with the inequality in our society (brought on by decades of low taxes and free trade policies) we will not be able to tackle the crippling poverty that pervades all schools, but mostly large urban areas.

[Jenn May]

09:10 PM on 06/21/2011

The educators? Are you kidding me?

First of all, the unions and democrats did not bankrupt Detroit, the auto industry did when it started shutting down factories (the main source of employment) to save costs for business, not to mention the many factories that had to be shut down. With the loss of jobs, a LOT of people left Detroit... Less people, and less employed people left behind equals less taxes. Detroit has been trying to run like a big city without the revenue to support itself for a while.

Now add in crime, drugs, poverty, and millions being cut from schools what chance does any student have? I'm sorry but that is NOT the fault of the teachers or the unions, they have been making concessions and trying to help, but have been shut out by emergency managers and bureaucrats that frankly have no idea how a classroom works. I don't really care if someone made millions from being a CEO (Snyder!), it doesn't mean they know how the inside of the classroom works.

It's people like you who further devalue education and teachers who will truly ruin our education system.

[Chris Bryer]

08:26 AM on 06/21/2011

Put half the schools under the state and half under Ford or GM execs and I would bet you a dollar that 3 years from now the Ford/GM schools would be better in every respect.

[Golfer59]

02:25 PM on 06/21/2011

Why? Where is your proof that assures you?

[hawhite2000]

04:55 PM on 06/21/2011

Really?

[Chris Bryer]

06:24 PM on 06/21/2011

yea, really.

[amgnme]

01:12 AM on 06/21/2011

One of the major problems with low achieving schools is that many parents are not supportive of the school and their own child. Teachers have been asking for more parent involvement for years, but school districts refused to do anything for the teachers. Now, they hand over the schools to a new authority and what is the first thing they demand? A contract for parents to be involved. Why haven't they done that and all the things they provide charter schools? This kind of disregard for teachers and the neediest of children makes me sick.

[Hlynn]

01:00 AM on 06/21/2011

From the article:

A parent advisory council will be created at each school, and each parent will be required to sign a contract certifying involvement in his or her child's education.

How are schools supposed to know if the parents are actually "involved" in the students' education, and how are parents supposed to know what the expectations are? What of the parents who don't have the skills and/or resources to be involved as they should be? What is the safety net for those students--without expecting school staff to take over parenting responsibilities?

[Greg34]

03:09 PM on 06/21/2011

what do you suggest having homes monitored by union bosses or members, get real. It's a step int he right direction and the most important people in this equation are getting change and a hope for a better education and that is the students. The unions and administrators arguing over scraps of this budget and their benefits have hurt the reason these schools exist and that is the students. If you can't accept that get a different job

[ellj]

12:47 AM on 06/21/2011

Once again, blame the schools and the teachers. How about a little money so the kids have enough to eat, some stable housing, clothing and a safe place to go after school? Create jobs with a living wage in those neighborhoods and watch the scores go up.

[DMDAY44]

02:45 PM on 06/21/2011

You are welcome to invest you money in a job producing enterprise in those neighborhoods.

[Greg34]

03:11 PM on 06/21/2011

all talk and complaining no providing solutions. The entitlement unikon generation. Get off your butt, start a company and create some jobs. Or should someone else do that and you will complain about them as well. why would they bother with you