Michigan's Governor Snyder's Education Proposals Leave More Questions Than Answers

This morning Governor Rick Snyder issued a statement defining his goals for Michigan's education system. In his proposal, systemic changes included incentives for teachers, as well as modifying the tenure process. This article explores Mr. Snyder's discussion and its impact to Michigan's education system, as well as questions generated by his ideas. Overall, his ideas leave more questions than answers.

First of all, the governor shared a vision to consolidate early childhood programs and funding. To do so, he plans on creating a new Michigan "Office of Great Start - Early Childhood" education office to oversee the project. His vision includes focusing on early childhood programs to set a strong educational foundation at an early age, thus helping students find success in the long term. Will consolidating mean larger class sizes? Wouldn't this inevitably hinder success in early education classes?

The governor continued to share ways the state government would control education in an imposing manner through restrictions or incentives. He indicated that if a school district had even one academically failing school, then the charter school cap would be removed. Is adding charter schools to a failing school district a solution or simply a threat?

Increased visibility regarding student performance was also one of Governor Snyder's goals. He stated that unless schools posted their results on-line then they could be penalized. Will the funding for maintaining this website flow to the schools as well?

It appears the governor wishes to use financial incentives to increase academic improvement, providing bonuses to schools who improve above and beyond their per pupil funding. What does this mean for schools who are already successful? Wouldn't it be harder for them to improve?

A vague mention regarding bullying policies made his speech. However, this topic is such a major concern that it should be handled diligently and with consistent enforcement. How could this be done from a governmental level?

More emphasis on teacher evaluation would be based upon student performance. This could lead to inflated grades, or make it so teachers do not wish to teach courses will low performing students. For example, would would want to teach a group of students who have traditionally failed due to laziness if it would come back to haunt their own evaluation?

The governor hopes to encourage math and science majors without a background in education to teach courses with a special certification. How are they supposed to be successful given the other parameters he also wishes to put into place?

While Michigan's governor offers major change initiatives to the education system, he leaves more questions than he answers. Only time will tell which of these ideas take root, and which ones the legislature will throw out the window.

Source: Detroit Free Press