Last week was the first time the House and Senate Education Committees held hearings on the STEM Bills. We suspect they plan to vote tomorrow in the Senate Committee and Thursday in the House Committee. We believe this is being fast tracked. Why the rush? Something as important as credentialing our students should have a FULL vetting and the voice of parents MUST be part of the discussion. Being first in the nation to pass the STEM credential is not a good thing if the action is the wrong thing.
Please call your Representative and Senator and let them know you OPPOSE HB 4284 & HB 4285 and SB 169 & SB 170.
Amanda Price (517) 373-0838 and Phil Pavlov (517) 373-7708.
Here are our recent posts on STEM and why we OPPOSE these bills and the endorsement credential.
STEM and the Role of Education
STEM Legislative Update
STEM Diploma Debate Heats Up
Governor Snyder believes the P20 seamless pathway puts our children on a pathway to success. But educating for a job is a pathway to servitude.
HIllsdale College Professor Daniel B. Coupland said it well,
“As long as students are told that the end of education is a job or a career, they will forever be servants of some master.”
“If education has become –as Common Core openly declares– preparation for work in a global economy, then this situation is far worse than Common Core critics ever anticipated. And the concerns about cost, and quality, and yes, even the constitutionality of Common Core, pale in comparison to the concerns for the hearts, minds, and souls of American children.”
Please contact Senator Pavlov and Rep. Price and let them know very firmly that you OPPOSE the STEM endorsement. If possible, attend the Senate Education Hearing on Tuesday and speak directly to the lawmakers. They NEED to hear from you and not the big business!
COMMITTEE: Senate Education
DATE: Tuesday, March 24, 2015
TIME: 12:00 p.m.
PLACE: Room 110, Farnum Building, 125 W. Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48933