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The state has set their sights on homeschoolers.

There is a battle brewing below the surface between homeschoolers and the state of Michigan over homeschool partnerships and state-funding for homeschoolers and it relates to the battle to transform education into a P20 competency-based system from cradle to career.  A system that former MI superintendent Mike Flanagan said, “ALL learners must be in the […]

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Speaker Leonard, Please Keep Your Word!

I received an email from Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard encouraging people across the state to “Like” his Facebook page, read his information, share our own thoughts, and help hold him accountable.   He wrote, “I greatly value your input and appreciate your ideas to make Michigan an even better place to live. So, please […]

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Education is no longer about meeting the needs of children but the needs of the workforce.

Education is no longer about meeting the needs of the child but meeting regional business needs for the workforce. State Senator John Proos has once again introduced two bills SB 343/344 to help prepare Michigan students for the workforce.  SB 343 requires school boards to make the latest “career outlook” for their region available to […]

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Common Core Update and more….

We have several calls to action and items to update so please read the entire post.  Thanks! Despite the persistent rhetoric of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, ESSA did NOT do away with Common Core.   DeVos and education reformers are working overtime to move away from any discussion Common Core. DeVos is still going […]

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Update HB 4192: We Need YOUR Help!

rRepresentative Gary Glenn sponsored HB 4192, Repeal & Replace Common Core.  With 29 co-sponsors, it is stuck in the Michigan Competitiveness committee (chair Representative Lee Chatfield).  No other state has successfully jettisoned Common Core.   We believe Michigan can be the first but WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please contact members of the Competitiveness Committee and […]

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What’s the hold-up? It’s time to jettison Common Core! says Melanie Kurdys

It is time to jettison Common Core and high stakes testing.  Common Core and high stakes testing are hurting our children, undermining the teaching profession and destroying our public schools Representative Gary Glenn sponsored HB 4192, Repeal & Replace Common Core.  With 29 co-sponsors, it is stuck in the Michigan Competitiveness committee (chair Representative Lee […]

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Opting Out of M-Step

Many parents are contacting me asking about opting out of M-STEP.   Parents, your students do NOT have to take M-STEP. You’re the parent and YOU do have a choice despite what the MDE or your local district may be telling you. I had to chuckle a bit with the wording of the letter sent […]

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Repeal but NOT Replace? That is the question.

In a previous post, Melanie Kurdys wrote about the possibility of a “fake” repeal or a “rebrand” of Common Core based on rumblings around the Lansing about HB 4192.  Kurdys concern appears to be more than idle speculation considering a recent interview with MI House Speaker Leonard and what happened to a similar bill in […]

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Where were you, Bob Kefgen?

The second hearing in the Michigan Competitiveness Committee on HB 4192 was held on March 15.  Bob Kefgen, Director of Government Relations for Michigan Secondary School Principals testified against the bill.  During his remarks (archive here) Kefgen asked proponents of HB 4192 several direct questions that he claims he has not been given any answers. […]

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When is repeal of Common Core a “fake” repeal or “rebrand?” (Guest post by Melanie Kurdys)

We have heard rumblings about repealing Common Core in Michigan and offering NO replacement.  This would be a “FAKE” repeal.  A ‘fake” repeal provides a political win for politicians, but a substantial loss for children. “Repeal and not replace” approach looks different than in other states, like Indiana, where Common Core was repealed, then replaced […]