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Legislative Shenanigans on “School Choice”

The Senate Education Committee is meeting tomorrow to discuss a set of bills that has not been made public, apparently has the support of the four Republican members and could be voted out of committee, without even one hearing with an informed public. Why are they conducting a hearing on a set of bills not […]

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A Lesson in Legislative Process…Superficial or Real Transparency?

The team at Stop Common Core in Michigan has been critical of the legislative process related to repealing and replacing common core.  As a result, we’ve taken quite a bit of heat from lawmakers and others who are in turn critical of our “tactics.” They assert that we are trying to “micromanage” the process or […]

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Whose Agenda is Lansing Enacting?

I thought the grassroots sent a clear message in last year’s election.  I thought we elected the most conservative legislature ever.  I thought they voted in conservative leadership.  I thought we told them to get rid of Common Core, eliminate ObamaCare, reduce the size of government making it less intrusive.  Isn’t this what we told […]

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Voter grills Speaker Leonard for email about BBQ but inaction on Common Core

Parents and voters are FED UP with the inaction of the Michigan House on HB 4192 to Repeal and Replace Common Core.   They are NOT happy and they are letting Speaker Leonard and Representative Chatfield know exactly how they feel.  One activist took the opportunity to use Speaker Leonoard’s upcoming invitation to a BBQ […]

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Parents FED UP with legislative inaction to get rid of Common Core!

Last year, bills were introduced in the House and Senate to repeal and replace common core, science, social studies, and assessments.  They did not get very far.  In January of 2017,  HB 4192 to Repeal and Replace Common Core was introduced by Rep. Gary Glenn.   The bill was referred to the Michigan Competitiveness Committee […]

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Mixed Bag Responses from Key Legislators on HB4192 Repeal Common Core

A couple education activists recently shared correspondence they received from Representatives Lee Chatfield and Hank Vaupel.  With permission, we are sharing them here and taking the opportunity to respond. Actual Letters (PDF). We sincerely appreciate Rep. Chatfield’s continued support for passing HB 4192.  If necessary, we are available to work with him and Representative Gary Glenn […]

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It’s not rocket science, Senator Colbeck!

The STEM bill SB 343/344 overwhelmingly passed the full Senate.   It was referred to the House and now sits in the Workforce and Talent Committee. The same committee where it died in 2015.  Some might ask, “Why isn’t this in the House Education Committee?  Simple.  They want this bill passed to begin to credential […]

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Colbeck responds, calls STEM post “misinformation”

Senator Colbeck responded via Twitter to my post yesterday on the STEM bill and  his support based on the notion that “he would like to  encourage math and science rather than advanced basketweaving” Ahh…your misinformation continues. Nice try….parents in control not Lansing — Sen Patrick Colbeck (@pjcolbeck) June 6, 2017 Unfortunately, Senator Colbck offers no […]

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For Senator Colbeck, It’s STEM or basket weaving for your children

(Update:  Senator Colbeck has responded and calls this post “misinformation” but provides NO evidence to support his claims.  Read more here.) Despite vocal opposition, the Senate Education Committee voted the STEM bill (SB 343/344) out of their committee.   In a feeble attempt to placate objections to credentialing students for careers by the Michigan Department […]

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Let the Governor’s race begin

As Memorial Day ends, the race for the Governor’s office is just getting started.   The Governor’s office has become very important in education policy since the Common Core State Standards were adopted in 2010 under Gov. Jennifer Granholm and continued under current Governor Rick Snyder.    In his time in office, Governor Snyder has […]