Michigan Gov. Rick Synder has proposed sweeping changes to education in his state, including creating an open-market for students to choose the public school they wish to attend—without regard to traditional district boundaries.
The Republican governor also is calling for implementing performance pay for teachers and changing the state’s funding formula to reward schools for making academic gains. He says that any caps on charter schools in districts with at least one failing school should be eliminated. Additionally, he wants tougher standards for teachers to pass their certification tests.
Gov. Snyder’s proposed changes have drawn a skeptical response from some Detroit public school officials, who fear that open school choice would drain their already-dwindling enrollment. His proposals still require approval of the state legislature, which is under Republican control.
