Mich. Ed. Roundup – November 28

November is Native American Heritage Month

Since 1990, American presidents have proclaimed each November as Native American Heritage Month to recognize “the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.,” according to a government website.

So while we celebrate that heritage, we also should reflect how we are failing to meet the needs of Native Americans, especially here in Michigan.

In 2016-2017, less than one percent of Michigan’s public-school students identified as “American Indian or Alaska Native,” the term used by the state. But even that small fraction adds up to almost 10,000 students.

So it is troubling that in 2015-2016, the most recent year of data available, the four-year high school graduation rate for American Indian and Alaska Native students in Michigan was the lowest of all racial subgroups in the state, at 66.57 percent. That rate is significantly below the four-year graduation rates of 83.38 percent for white students and 90.20 percent for Asian students in the state.

Ensuring that Every Michigan Student has Access to a High-Quality Education

Take Action! Oppose Test Changes

There is still time to send a letter to State Superintendent Brian Whiston and Governor Rick Snyder, opposing disruptive changes to the end-of-year assessment, the M-STEP.

Click here to send a letter to Governor Snyder and State Superintendent Whiston telling them that our students and teachers need stability in the classroom and parents deserve honest data on how well our schools are serving our students. Thank you to everyone who has already sent a letter opposing these harmful changes.

Capital Update

The Senate Education Committee meets today at noon in room 1300 of the Binsfeld Building, Lansing, to discuss House Bill 4665 (VerHeulen – R) which modifies enrollment eligibility in strict discipline academies, HB 4735 (Miller – R) which expands the definition of an eligible institution for postsecondary dual enrollment, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 0025 (Colbeck – R), which expands federal tax exemptions and contribution limits for state-sponsored education savings accounts. The agenda is available here.

Noteworthy News

• Michigan’s third-grade reading law could hold back 70% of English language learners  – Stateside, Michigan Radio
• Study: Michigan special education is underfunded by $700M – Lori Higgins, WZZM13
• Research every teacher should know: setting expectations – Bradley Busch, The Guardian

• Detroit district board takes stand against concealed weapons in schools – Lori Higgins, Detroit Free Press

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