By TIM MARTIN
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LANSING — Michigan’s efforts to win more federal cash for schools could result in changes that would cause some angst beyond educa tion circles.
Among them is a propos al that would eliminate the requirement that Michigan schools wait to start classes until after Labor Day. It’s one of several changes pro posed in legislation that sup porters said would give Michigan a shot at winning up to $400 million in the Obama administration’s Race to the Top competi tion.
A state law passed in 2005 requires public schools to start classes after Labor Day so families can extend summer vacations and tourism-related busi nesses can have teen work ers available into early Sep tember.
It was a provision sought mainly by Michigan tourism interests, along with the ag riculture industry.
Goal is flexibility
Some lawmakers said that eliminating that re quirement may improve the state’s chances of securing more federal cash for schools.
State Rep. Tim Melton, an Auburn Hills Democrat who sponsors key Race to the Top-oriented legisla tion, said the provision is in tended to meet the federal program’s goals of provid ing schools flexibility to boost time spent on instruc tion.
“It’s a provision that we believe, in Race to the Top, makes us more competi tive,” Melton said.
But some lawmakers said eliminating the post-Labor Day requirement has noth ing to do with satisfying the goals of the federal competi tion aimed at giving states incentives to improve schools.
Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, the Michigan House’s top ranking Republican, said the Melton measure would undermine one of the Legis lature’s most pro-business achievements of the decade. “It’s a direct assault against tourism in Michi gan,” said Elsenheimer, who lives in the tourism-depen dent region of Michigan’s northwest Lower Peninsula.
Is change necessary?
Doug Luciani, president of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, agreed.
He said the Legislature needs to “just keep it simple and do its job” on school re form without making un necessary changes.
The Race to the Top grant program is funded by more than $4 billion from the federal stimulus pack age.
The Obama administra tion will grant the money to the states that most aggres sively implement ideas such as expanding charter schools or judging teachers based on test scores. Appli cations for the cash are due from states in January.
Senate OKs bills aimed at education
The Michigan Senate ap proved bills Wednesday that would provide alternative paths to teacher certification, allow the expansion of char ter schools and give the state schools chief more power over failing schools. The measures now go to the state House.
The bills are part of efforts to give Michigan a chance at winning up to $400 million in the Obama administration’s Race to the Top competition.
The money will be awarded to states that aggressively move to improve their schools.
Bills related to failing schools and expanding char ter schools passed 23-13, with some Democrats joining most Republicans in support.
Other bills in the package passed without opposition.
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
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