I recently introduced a bill, HB4855, which allows high school students to forgo their last two years of high school and enroll in community college instead. They would receive up to a $3500 grant to attend. The rationale is that it can help accelerate a student's education, keep them challenged and save state a great deal of money. (Instead of the state funding a high school student at $7000+ per year, the state funds up to $3500 for that student to go to college instead.) You can read about the bill here:
http://www.michiganvotes.com/SearchVotes.aspx?EntityID=1482&Keywords=&op=Search
The "State News" from Michigan State University did a story on it. You can read it here: http://www.statenews.com/article.phtml?pk=41315
What is interesting in the story is the candid response to the idea that came from the Michigan Education Association. You would think they would have as their first priority making sure students get a good education by ensuring that we have quality, well-compensated teachers. But the only response that was printed in the State News from Karen Schulz, MEA communications consultant was, "Schools are struggling already. Any proposal that drains funds from school districts causes a problem. Every single school district in the state is mindful that every student who leaves costs money," she said.
The fact is that, assuming the $3500 for the college grant came from the School Aid Fund, there would be a minimum of $3500 left over in the SAF, which means MORE money available for each student who is attending a public school.
The legislature and the governor will continue to fund public education. But we should give students this additional option to either concentrate on a trade or associate's degree, or jump start their bachelor's degree one or two years early. It's about giving our kids an opportunity to achieve, isn't that the American way?
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
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4 comments:
The MEA is motivated by self-interest just like any other organization. It seeks to maximize benefits for itself and its officers and then for its members. Student achievement only matters when it aligns with the MEA's interests or at least doesn't negatively impact them.
Oh, let us not forget the MEA's need to advance their beloved socialist agenda. If kids strike out on their own before their Marxist indoctrination is complete, we may wind up with a state full of voters who can see and think through them and revive the capitalist ethic. Go Jack!!!
I agree with the bill you proposed, as a MI parent, I would hope my children have options available to them. Please fight for this!
I would have loved to have had that option when I was in high school (even though it was 8 years ago now). I worked hard in my first two years and got as many of the required credits out of the way and then my last two years were mostly electives. If they would have let me take Government/Econ in the first semester of my Junior year I would have had enough credits to graduate. But alas, I had to wait unit the second semester of my senior year to get that last required credit. I would have loved the opportunity to start college early and with a little help from the big mitten for funding.
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