The spending proposals currently being considered provide mixed signals about the state’s priorities and backslide on the recent commitment to the educational needs of ‘at-risk’ students.
Craig Thiel
A guest author for Bridge Magazine.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | A big boost in special education funding does not mean more services
If policymakers really wanted new special ed funds to help students with special needs, they could have required schools to use the dollars to supplement their special education budgets.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | How the pandemic will hit local government pension systems
Local governments were already carrying pension debt before recent market declines. Now they will struggle to pay for losses their plans have incurred during the coronavirus pandemic.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Special education funding falls more heavily on urban school districts
While the state requires special education services for eligible students, it only funds a portion of the overall costs.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Yes, it’s a gag rule, and withholding information will hurt government
PA269 keeps public officials and entities from informing voters about ballot issues 60 days before an election. The stakes are too high to require silence
Posted inGuest Commentary
Detroit students unfairly pay the price for the district’s debts
Roughly 40 percent of state funds meant to educate Detroit students are being diverted to service past debts incurred by the district. This is not fair to a big city student population already ranked last in the nation.
Posted inGuest Commentary
A call for Michigan redistricting reform
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision shows that citizens, not politicians, have the ultimate power to demand fair legislative boundaries.