Authorizer Accreditation System Announced
The Michigan Council of 
Charter School Authorizers (MCCSA) today announced plans to establish a voluntary authorizer accreditation system to ensure authorizers will follow and adopt standards that places Michigan in the forefront of charter school authorizing. The formal process will focus on academic, operational and legal standards that mustbe met by all authorizers and result in quality education for kids. Click here to learn more.
GLEP Chairman Pushes Quality and key Legislative Priorities
Jim Barrett, GLEP Chairman, had a guest editorial viewpoint published by The Detroit Free Press yesterday, in which he urged the Michigan legislature to eliminate the practice of “authorizer shopping” by poor-performing charter public schools. Additionally, Barrett urged the legislature to pass the A-F Letter Grading accountability system and the 3rd Grade Reading initiative in efforts to improve public education outcomes for all students in the state. We will be pushing these issues as the legislature continues their work in the fall.
Florida School Boards Association Slammed Over Suit to Limit Opportunities for Kids
A chorus of Florida lawmakers, education leaders and others began urging the Florida School Boards Association this week to drop a lawsuit it plans to file against the state’s tax credit scholarship program for low-income students. The suit could potentially limit school choice options for nearly 70,000 low-income parents, saddle school districts and taxpayers with hefty financial costs and entangle the nation’s largest school choice program in litigation for years. Click here to read about the loss at the ballot box for the top two FSBA officers, and here for an overview of the issue.
Saginaw Valley Welcomes Craig Douglas to run Charter Office
Welcome to Craig Douglas, the newly-appointed head of the SVSU charter school office! Formally the Superintendent of Carrollton Public Schools, Douglas has recently taken the position that was held by Joe Rousseau. Click here to read more about his appointment.
Last day to “Opt Out” of the MEA
Today is the last day for MEA members to “opt out” of the teachers’ union and put $1,000 back into their own pockets. Those interested can check out the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s “August Opt Out” website, which provides easy-to-use forms to help employees.
UPDATE: Still No Superintendents Have Signed the “School Accountability Pledge”
MAPSA’s “School Accountability Pledge” is still available for signing by any traditional public school superintendent willing to operate under same accountability, transparency and oversight laws as Michigan’s charter public schools. We keep waiting for just one superintendent to sign it, and when they do we’ll let you know right away!
The Truth about Education Funding
GLEP’s new website, MiKidFirst.com provides “to the penny” state and local financial data for over 800+ school districts for FY 2012, 2013 and 2014. This site proves that funding, on a per student basis, has gone up by hundreds of dollars per student since Governor Snyder took office.
Education Reform News Clips
Do you support what GLEP is doing to improve education in Michigan? Please consider making a donation to help us continue our efforts, and all contributions are very much appreciated!!
Respectfully,
Gary G. Naeyaert
Executive Director
517-281-2690