iform per-per pupil foundation grant for all students, as the legislature used the 2x equity formula to increase the Minimum foundation grant by $140 to $7,391 per pupil and the Basic Foundation grant by $70 to $8,169 per pupil. We were also supportive of the $26.4 million investment in K-3 reading programs. Click here for additional information on the final budget, including district-by-district funding allocations.
Governor Releases Third-Grade Reading Workgroup Report
On Wednesday, Governor Snyder held a press conference to release a report from his Third Grade Reading Workgroup. This workgroup was chaired by GVSU Trustee John Kennedy, included key legislators and administration officials, and met for four months to develop policy recommendations to improve early literacy in the state. As one of the earliest proponents of improving early literacy, GLEP is pleased with the workgroup report, which outlines a comprehensive and balanced approach to improving early reading proficiency and recommends an appropriate combination of screening, tutoring, mentoring and intervention in order to get the right help to the right students at the right time.
We believe Rep. Amanda Price (R-Lake Twp), Chair of the House Education Committee, will soon be introducing a bill to put an effective K-3 Reading Program in place for all students in the state. With leadership from Governor Snyder, bi-partisan legislative consensus and $100 million in new resources to address at-risk students and early literacy in the FY ’16 School Aid Budget, GLEP believes the legislature should be able to come to a speedy resolution to this policy challenge. Click here to watch the Governor’s press conference.
Photo courtesy of Pattrick Yockey
Rep. Tim Kelly Says Dissolving DPS is an Option
As Chair of the School Aid Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. Tim Kelly (R-Saginaw Twp) will be a key legislator in the debate over education reform in Detroit. On today’s episode of WKAR’s “Off The Record” (as well as the web-only overtime segment), Rep. Kelly discusses the need to expand
school choice and the potential elimination of DPS as an educational entity in the city. GLEP strongly supports Rep. Kelly’s comments and positions on these issues, and we look forward to further engagement in an effort to provide quality education choices for students in the Detroit area.
GLEP’s Gary Naeyaert on Student Testing & Teacher Evaluations
The issue of assessments, students “opting out” of testing an
d their impact on teacher evaluation continues to escalate in the public discourse, and GLEP’s Gary Naeyaert appeared on “The Now Detroit” program on WXYZ TV-7 on Wednesday to provide perspective from the education reform community. Click here to watch this interview.
Universal School Choice Passed in Nevada
The state of Nevada became the first state to pass a universal Education Savings Account (ESA) for all students, in a bill signed Tuesday by Governor Brian Sandoval. This is the first state that ensure
s that state funding follows the child to the school of their choice, public or private. Other state ESA programs are usually limited to smaller or targeted segments of the student population. This is great news for families in Nevada, and GLEP hopes this type of conversation will make its way to Michigan.
Education News Clips
Next Week
Monday, June 8
Tuesday, June 9
Wednesday, June 10
Thursday, June 11
Friday, June 12
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