Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made three joint appearances in Michigan yesterday with Republican Governor Rick Snyder. During the visit, Duncan said that he was "very encouraged" by the reform district that has been created in the state. As the cameras rolled, Republican legislators in Lansing were preparing an $800 million cut to the state's school aid fund. That cut will move through committee today. Duncan's visit provided a pleasant diversion for TV viewers as each child in a Michigan public school loses $500 worth of educational funding.
First, let me tell you why I care. I have been a middle school teacher in the State of Michigan for fourteen years. I love my kids. I love the English and social studies classes that I teach. I am the parent of a fantastic three-year-old boy and my wife is expecting twins that are due to arrive later this week. I think that school funding is important.
During my fourteen years in the job, I have seen a near-constant draining of resources from Michigan's public schools. I have seen teacher after teacher cut because my district simply didn't have the funds to keep each on staff. My district used to have 70+ teachers. We now have fewer than fifty. My class sizes now average 30+ and my two sixth-grade social studies classes have 34 students each.
Mind you, I love both of those 34-student classes. The kids are really great. I have lots of fun teaching those classes and I think that we learn a lot. However, the educational value that these kids receive is not near what it should be. I could be a much better teacher if I had more co-workers, more equipment and supplies and smaller class sizes.
During his visit, Secretary Duncan applauded Michigan's statewide reform school district. This Educational Achievement Authority serves as a shell district for public schools that fail to meet certain achievement/testing levels. It is primarily focused on Detroit currently. Attempts have and will be made to expand the EAA. Essentially, it is a tool to eviscerate Michigan's public schools.
http://www.freep.com/...
At 10:30AM this morning in Lansing, committees in the Michigan House of Representatives will debate an $800 million cut to the state school aid fund. This amounts to $500 for every student in Michigan's public school system. The money will be used to fund road repairs across the state. This is a high priority for Gov. Snyder and the state legislature. It is likely to happen. However, Secretary Duncan did not need to provide political cover for this cut with his visit.
http://www.eclectablog.com/...
Some might argue that times are tough and the state needs the money. However, this did not stop Gov. Snyder from giving $1.8 billion to state businesses during his first year in office.
http://www.annarbor.com/...
Gov. Snyder is also the same man who signed right-to-work legislation that is dismantling the right of Michigan's teachers to organize.
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/...
Secretary Duncan has never had a warm relationship with America's teachers, but did he need to stand with the man who stripped teachers of the right to organize? Did he need to appear with the man who is creating an alternative statewide shell district? Did he need to appear on the same day that policy was being crafted in Lansing to take away $500 from each Michigan student.
At least they didn't hold the joint appearance today. Don't know what today is? Well, here you go...
Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!
Note: Eclectablog posted a similar diary just prior to this one. Click below for more detailed information about this massive funding cut...
http://www.dailykos.com/...