InSiDe Update - December 5, 2011

Topic: Charter and Cyberschool action in the House, member alert

We need your help now! Please attend House Education Committee meeting(s), attendance on Tuesday and Wednesday is especially important.

Senate Bill 618, the bill that removes the cap on charter schools, was voted out of House Education Committee last week.  The day of the vote, Speaker Bolger made the almost unheard of action of removing a member of the committee in order to secure passage.

Before passage the bill was amended to make changes regarding transparency requirements and community college charter boundaries.

The bill now goes to full House of Representatives where a vote could come as early as this week.  However, it appears the bill does not yet have enough support to pass.  On Friday MIRS reported that “estimates on the shortage hover around five to six, with as many as 20 Republicans within the 62-member caucus having reservations about the bill”

This is proof positive that the phone calls, emails and testimony of superintendents and their grassroots networks are making a difference. 

But make no mistake, the fight to stop this bill and the other bills in the so-called “Parent Empowerment Reform Package” is ongoing.  Legislative leadership has made it very clear that passing these bills is a top priority, and changing membership of a committee is proof of that.  Heavy pressure will be applied to members who are considering voting no. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday the House Education Committee will take up Senate Bill 619, the bill that will create remove all restrictions on cyber-charter schools.  I strongly urge you to call your Representative and urge them to make the right choice and oppose this bill. Also, if you are able, please attend a committee hearing and testify against this dangerous bill.  The House Education has scheduled two meetings to  consider SB 619 at the following times:

Tuesday December 6^th at 3:00PM in Room 519 of the House Office Building

Wednesday December 7^th at 9:00AM in Room 519 of the House Office Building

Also keep an eye out for MASA/ MAISA Action Alerts on both of these bills later this week.

For more information please contact:  David Randels drandels@gomasa.org or Brad Biladeau bbiladeau@gomasa.org

Topic: MDE’s Top to Bottom List:  Why uncap the bottom quartile?

Oakland Schools compiled a top-to-bottom list in quartiles showing how charters and community governed schools show up in each quartile – this is statewide data. Right now charter people are pushing strong to uncap charters without any language requiring “Quality Assurance BEFORE Licensing.” Republican leadership is saying the “market” will correct itself for quality on charter schools, but the market will take time and kids will suffer years in underperforming schools while the “market” corrects.  The chart linked below really begs the question….Why uncap charters performing in the bottom quartile, or even the bottom half of schools in Michigan or other states.

- Information provided by Vickie Markavitch, Superintendent, Oakland Public Schools

Top to Bottom pdf

Topic: Edison Learning eCourses Now Available

EdisonLearning eCourses are now on the GenNET Online Learning Portal and available to your high school students for Second Semester 2012 enrollments. 

Visit the GenNET website to view our Teacher-Led course information: http://www.gennet.us/tl_providers.htm

Our students have many choices when it comes to online course content, this option offers nine week courses and over 30 STEM related courses

Please contact the GenNET Staff at gennetonlinelearningsupport@geneseeisd.org if you have any questions regarding the GenNET Online Learning Portal.

Topic: EAS Holds Meetings around the State

Michigan Education Achievement System (EAS) is launching community meetings around the state on “Excellence in 21^st Century Education.” District leaders, principals, teachers, parents, school staff, students, and other community members are invited to these meetings to join in the conversation.   Please see the linked pdf below for an example of an invitation to one of these meetings (example provided by Washtenaw ISD):

EAS Meeting Invite Sample