The only thing worse for our education system than when Lansing experiments on education, which they hope will help, is when they pass legislation evidence says will hurt education. The state legislature wants to extend the EAA (Education Achievement Authority). By passing these extensions, it would allow for private corporations and charter schools to take over school districts.
There has already been push back against the EAA from parents and teachers. They have been successful in fighting back against the effort previously, but now Lansing wants to ram something through, a la “Right to Work” style in 2012.
Taking away from local educational control is an illogical and irresponsible decision. When outside forces come in and takeover school districts, all transparency is lost within school districts.
The people making decisions for local schools districts, should be local citizens, not outside corporations and charter schools. The bill going through the senate has no maximum on the amount of schools which can be taken over, which means there is no limit to the outside control that could be placed on the local schools.
And all of this without producing accountable, transparent results for improving student outcomes. Don’t believe me? Take a minute to read some of the powerful interviews of educators and students who have had to deal with the EAA here.
These attacks on local districts need to stop and one way which you support our local districts is by supporting Jon Hoadley, a strong candidate for state representative, who will fight to protect local school districts.
Jon Hoadley comes from a strong education background and most of his family are educators, meaning he knows the struggle educations go through and how things like the EAA hurt them.
Finally, if you’re in Michigan, you can take action today to have an impact. MAKE A PHONE CALL OR EMAIL YOUR STATE REP AND SENATOR. A phone call is best given the short time frame. Click here to visit the website, created by our good friends at Michigan Parents for Schools makes it very easy for you (and even has key talking points).