MIRS News Agency reported yesterday evening that the
legislation on “Third Grade Retention” and the “Letter Rating System for
Schools” did not come to a vote on the House floor as was initially
indicated.
MIRS News quoted the following legislators for the absence
of the expected vote:
Rep. Colleen LaMonte (D – Montague) said that everyone was
getting communications from superintendents and teachers. “Our superintendents and our teachers are on
the front lines of this. They know what
they’re dealing with. And they know what
they need. And I think we need to be
listening to them,” she said.
House Education Chairwoman Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto)
says that members of the House were hearing a lot of opposition from back in
their districts. So, she is pursuing
parent involvement (notice she didn’t say teachers).
Representative Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills) has said, in
reference to the Letter Grading System, that he would like language that would
allow districts themselves to come up with additional metrics to track their
performance. He also opposes the grading
system because he feels it would put Common Core standards “on steroids”, and
that it would encourage teaching to the test.
(Please remember that this man has been a pretty conservative member of
the House and his opposition to the grading system is probably directly related
to his opposition to the Common Core standards).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS LEGISLATION WILL COME BEFORE THE
HOUSE AND SENATE AGAIN NEXT WEEK!!! So,
please continue to contact your legislators using the links in the blog entries
below. (Wednesday’s Blog Entry!)
On the EAA front: Dr.
Vickie Markavitch, the Superintendent of Oakland Intermediate Schools has
published a video explaining the EAA and the reasons for opposition to the
EAA. It is a very interesting
video. Be sure to listen by clicking the
link below:
You can take action against the EAA by clicking on Thursday’s
Blog Entry!
