This Week & Next (Nov 7, 2014)

Election Recap: Snyder and the New Legislative Leadership
Governor Snyder was re-elected on Tuesday with 51% of the vote compared to 47% for Mark Schauer. In the state legislature, Republicans ended up with 27 of 38 seats in the State Senate (+1) and 63 of 110 seats in the House of Representatives (+4). For a look at the the four “Quadrant” leaders, check these out:

• Meet Arlan Meekoff, Senate Majority Leader, 2015-2018
• Meet Jim Ananich, Senate Democratic Leader, 2015-2018
• Meet Kevin Cotter, Speaker of the House, 2015-2016
• Meet Tim Greimel, House Democratic Leader, 2013-2016

GLEP-Endorsed Candidates Win Big in General Election
90% of the candidates endorsed by the Great Lakes Education Project (GLEP) were successful in Tuesday’s general election for the State Senate and House of Representatives. While GLEP is pleased that 53 of 60 endorsed candidates won, we know the real winner are kids and parents as these officeholders passionately support school choice and improving quality in public education.  Click here for our full press release.

 

Key Education Issues for Lame Duck
According to MLive, when looking at the issues most likely to be addressed in the lame duck legislative session between now and the end of the year, there are three key issues related to education.  These issues include bills to address 3^rdGrade Reading and development of a more parent-friendly school accountability system for public schools. Governor Snyder told the Detroit Free Press Wednesday that he wants to emphasize third-grade reading proficiency, which he noted is a key indicator of future academic success. GLEP was pleased that Mary Laura Bragg, Vice President of Advocacy at the Foundation for Excellence in Education, was in Michigan this past week for meetings with key legislators and stakeholders to discuss school accountability and early literacy reforms.
EMU Closing a Poor Performing Academy
Citing poor performance, declining enrollment and staff turnover, this week Eastern Michigan University’s Charter Schools Office announced it will not renew the charter contract for Gaudior Academy in Inkster at the end of the 2014-15 school year. EMU is one of 11 charter school authorizers threatened with suspension by Superintended Flanagan. For those keeping track, 80 charter public schools have been closed by their authorizer for poor performance since the mid-1990’s; while ZERO traditional public schools have been closed for failing to meet student needs.

Literacy Summit on Dec 3
Beyond Basics, an organization that is very successful in increasing student academic performance in the Detroit area, is hosting their second annual Literacy Summit on December 3 at the Detroit Institute of Arts. We urge folks to check out the event and consider registering.

 

Education Reform News Clips

• GOP Leaders in Congress Outline Education Priorities (Education Week)
• School choice gives opportunity, hope to students and their families (The Washington Times)
• Unions doesn’t get the memo (MI Capitol Confidential)
• Debate over special needs voucher program (My Fox, Orlando)

GLEP in the News

• Effort to Short Circuit School Choice Laid Out (MI Capitol Confidential)
• Almost Every Teacher at Poor Performing Districts Rated Effective (MI Capitol Confidential)

Next Week

Monday, November 10

• State Board of Education Meeting re: Superintendent Search Process

Tuesday, November 11

• GLEP’s Gary Naeyaert to speak at Kellogg Community College

Wednesday, November 12

Thursday, November 13

• Capitol Issue Forum

Friday, November 14

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,