Questions for State Board of Education Candidates
1. In 2006 the Michigan Legislature passed, and Governor Granholm signed into law, new graduation requirements. Do you support or oppose retaining these requirements? Why?
Yes, I wholeheartedly support the new requirements. I believe that the current law is flexible regarding creating a personal curriculum apart from the new graduation requirements for students who are struggling. I would not support any changes to the current law.
Currently, between 55 to 65% of students entering community college for the first time require some remedial education in either math or english. Less than 20% of students who enter a community college requiring remedial education receive any kind of credential within 4 years. The new requirements align with college and career expectations and relate directly to what students need to know to be successful in college or careers.
I don't support a move to replace algebra II with other, less rigorous courses. I do support math programs like career and technology education that provide the same level of mathematical preparation in an environment more conducive to applied learning. Not all students learn math well in a typical classroom setting and we need to be flexible in how these courses are taught. Michigan does need to provide the professional development, support and instructional materials to teachers to ensure that all students are receiving quality instruction in all the new course requirements, not just math.
2. Do you support the expansion of charter schools? Why or why not?
I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of a parents right to chose the right education for their children. I believe competition within public education helps all schools to improve. When schools compete for students, kids and parents win.
3. Michigan currently has over 550 school districts and 52 intermediate school districts that serve roughly 1.6 million students. Is the current structure/system appropriate? What changes would you recommend if you believe that the structure/system should change?
The current structure is antiquated and cannot continue to meet the needs of Michigan. It is too bureaucratic, too top heavy with administrators, and cumbersome to move in any systematic way. As a state board member I would push to reconfigure the business services provided by school districts and push them to either the Intermediate District or consortiums of districts. Macomb ISD is a model for this type of cost saving.
We have a long road and a tough sell to convince school districts to consolidate on their own. I would propose to create a school district consolidation coordination commission whose decisions would serve to begin the process. This commission would be bi-partisan and serve a similar function as the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) does with regard to military installations.
4. Please share your thoughts on early childhood education and what changes, if any, would you recommend?
I support the activities that have pushed reading to be the primary focus in early learning. I don’t recommend any changes. I believe the current focus on early childhood education is adequate. I also must add that I don’t think that early childhood is where the focus needs to be right now. I am focusing on the secondary to postsecondary education, where Michigan is lagging behind almost every other state in student achievement. We do a fairly good job through elementary school in Michigan, but it is clear that the longer a student is in the system the worse they perform.
5. Do you believe that the No Child Left Behind Act has been useful for improving education or has it had a negative impact? Why?
As a former Deputy Assistant Secretary in the US Department of Education I worked to implement No Child Left Behind with strong fidelity to the law. In fact, I represented the Department when Michigan's plan for NCLB was approved. Clearly, there are problems that exist with NCLB and it has become a lightning rod for all forms of opposition to testing, accountability, school sanctions and federal intervention in local school decisions.
I fundamentally believe that the key provisions of NCLB are sound. I also believe the law should be modified to reflect current efforts in states and to fix the unintended and sometimes negative consequences surrounding the implementation of the law.
6. What is your opinion of a merit pay system for teachers?
I support merit pay for teachers without qualification. Michigan should look to other states who have lead the way on creating fair and equitable merit compensation systems. One such system is that in Washington DC, where teachers are provided two professional tracks. In simple terms, one track is as a contractual, at-will employee where the teacher can earn extensive bonuses based on student learning. The other track is the typical union collective bargaining agreement track, where pay and other employment conditions are more typical.
It is vital that Michigan transform its education system. I am the only candidate with an all of the above strategy for moving the state to a more competitive education posture.
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