State proposes takeover, charter schools to improve grades
Failing and underperforming schools are running out of time, and state Rep. Tim Melton is watching the clock.
Melton, an Auburn Hills democrat, has introduced legislation aimed at targeting failing schools in Michigan. If the schools do not make the grade, they could face state takeover or increased competition from new charter schools.
"We need to demand more," he said. "Who is not for more accountability in schools?"
The bill will target schools that are not making 35 percent Adequate Yearly Progress. AYP is the cornerstone of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. It measures year-to-year student achievement on the Michigan Education Assessment Program for elementary and middle schools, or the Michigan Merit Examination for high school, according to the Michigan Department of Education.
Melton's legislation would include bringing in review teams to look at the schools. He is not ruling out any type of reforms, including extending school days and the school year.
In the case of a state takeover, state officials would replace existing school board members, Melton said.
Joe Pius, superintendent of Mount Pleasant Public Schools, said he is not worried about his district.
"The district is doing fine. Mount Pleasant schools doesn't have a concern in this regard," Pius said. "If this is just a policy to get more charter schools in Michigan, we do not support it."
The alternative to a state takeover is putting a new charter school in the area to give parents another choice.
Scott Ray, director of external relations for the Center for Charter Schools, said the center and the university is ready to help out where needed.
"The Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University shares the House Education Committee's desire to transform the public education system in our state," Ray said. "CMU currently authorizes 58 charter public schools, educating some 30,000 Michigan children and the center is always ready to share its knowledge and experience with anyone who is seeking to improve public education in order to better serve students and families."
Melton said the bill is not targeting any specific area but will look at areas with high dropout rates and poor academic results. Melton said he feels better academic results in urban areas could help keep people out of jail.
"We have a prison population of 50,000 and 70 percent of them are dropouts," Melton said. "Schools are not living up to what they should be doing."
Melton said these schools would not be traditional charter schools, as they would not count towards the state's cap of 150 charter schools and would take students based on academic results. Students would have to reside within the school district where the school is placed.
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