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Would You Support Randy's Bond?; Why, or Why not?
Topic Started: Apr 1 2012, 03:31 PM (2,478 Views)
DADDYOH10
Member Avatar
Veteran
It would be wise to follow what the State Houses are planning to do and how we will get stuck paying for bonds down the road as the allotment of state monies drizzles down to the cities. Recent activities at the state level on this issue have been disturbing and any bond issues anywhere should be looked at at with a weary and wary eye especially here in Livonia, where the rosy picture painted by the BOE and administration is often an illusion or only part ofg the picture they want you to see (also called "lack of tranparency" and "listening with a deaf ear".
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Mrs.M
Veteran
It's knocking on the back door...
http://northville.patch.com/articles/northville-superintendent-opposes-bill-to-expand-cyber-schools-headed-to-gov-snyder
Northville Superintendent Opposes Bill to Expand Cyber Schools Headed to Gov. Snyder

Sen. Colbeck told Patch that he plans to continue advocating for lifting the cap on cyber schools.

By Nancy Kelsey

A bill sponsored by state Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) to increase the number of cyber schools in Michigan has passes the Senate and House. But not everyone, including Northville superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher, is a fan.

"I am disappointed that the Cyber School legislation, even with modification, has passed the House and Senate, as it does not fully address the concerns about transparency and effectiveness," Gallagher said. "Allowing public dollars to go to for-profit companies without a proven model of effectiveness for cyber education."

Senate Bill 619 now awaits Gov. Rick Synder's signature. Specifically, the bill calls for the state to open the number of cyber schools from its current number, 2, to an eventual 15 by 2014. The cap will be lifted to five cyber charters beginning Fall 2013.

This will increase the number of students enrolled in cyber schools statewide from 2,000 today to an eventual 30,000, or 2 percent of the school population.

"While I applaud the Legislature’s efforts to expand the cap, I will continue my efforts to remove all caps so that we can offer even greater public education choices to all of Michigan’s children," Colbeck told Patch.

He added, “Many teachers are discouraged by the lack of parental involvement in their students’ education. Opening up more public education choices encourages parents to become even more engaged in their children’s educational path. Every time we put a cap in place, it takes away another opportunity for a parent to be more involved."

Rep. Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth) also supported the bill but said he is happy with it in its current form.

"I went in very much opposed to the oringinal bill," he said. "It is the result of a tremendous amount of debate and compromise...In the end, no one got what they wanted. I like the bill as it currently exists."

Heise said he opposed the bill when it was first introduced because it lifted the cap all together. He said he supports language in the bill that addresses accountability and oversight. Still, he said that cyber education, while it may work for some, is not right for every student.

"It's not perfect," he said. "Cyber education is not for my kids and I would be very cautious about it."

Gov. Snyder has long said he is a proponent of expanding schools of choice, including cyber schools.

"We believe that online learning is a good thing, and providing interested parents and students the ability to enroll in a cyber charter school increases opportunities for a quality education," Snyder said in a statement. "It improves access to learning for those families that feel it is the best for them. In so doing we must and we will maintain proper oversight while continuing to strengthen our outstanding traditional public schools."
I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG.
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Mrs.M
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Controversial cyber school bill headed to governor
7:35 AM, May. 5, 2012 |
2 Comments
http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120506/NEWS03/205060386/Controversial-cyber-school-bill-headed-governor?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

Written by
Brad Kadrich
Observer Staff Writer

News
Canton

Dr. Jeremy Hughes has a unique perspective on the controversial issue of cyber charter schools, sitting as he does on the board of Michigan Virtual University, one of the first efforts to offer on-line education to students.

But Hughes also sits in the superintendent's chair for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, which could be dramatically impacted by legislation the state Senate passed and sent to Gov. Rick Snyder this week.

Senate Bill 619, which gained narrow approval in the House last week, would allow five cyber charter schools by the end of 2013 (there are currently two) with another 10 being allowed over the following two years (Grand Valley State University and Ferris State University chartered the state's two existing cyber schools in conjunction with for-profit companies).

The controversial bill lifts the cap on the number of students allowed by the state to enroll in cyber schools from the current 2,000 to an eventual 30,000 (2 percent of the state's student population).

Hughes' concern, from an educational standpoint, is that the lack of contact with teachers will lead to a lesser educational opportunity for the student.

Research reveal

“I've gotten a lot of education about what is good on-line learning and what is bad on-line learning,” Hughes said. “Research is very clear that, if the only thing at the other end is a computer and not a teacher, learning is of a lesser quality than if a teacher is involved.”

Supporters don't share his concern. They say the bill increases educational opportunities and personalizes education for K-12 students across the state. Detractors say the bill will siphon off funds from public schools and carries little accountability.

“Cyber schools are another option we have in reforming our public education system in Michigan so that we are meeting the varied needs of all of our students,” said state Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton, a sponsor of the bill. “These schools provide a free, public education to students that can be tailored to address each child's strengths and weaknesses while providing increased one-on-one communication with a teacher. One of the most innovative educational opportunities for our children is the inclusion of cyber charter school options for our public school students,”

Republican supporters of the bill said it holds cyber schools to the same certification standards, curriculum requirements and testing requirements as other public schools in Michigan. Each cyber charter school must be approved by the superintendent of public instruction and are governed by independent, non-profit boards, school district boards or public charter school boards.

‘Decent' compromise

State Rep. Kurt Heise, R-Plymouth Township, who said he opposed the original version of the Senate bill because it didn't require enough accountability, said he ultimately voted for the revised version because it's a “much more common-sense compromise between those who want it and those of us who were looking for more accountability for the taxpayer.”

“The original bill had no safeguards whatsoever,” Heise said. “It was pretty much a free-market option. We have much more accountability and more oversight. The ultimate bill is, I think, a decent compromise between the different factions.”

But state Rep. Dian Slavens, D-Canton, said the bill doesn't do enough to ensure accountability. She said the bill contains no language that forces cyber schools to prove the students are actually doing the work, nor does it provide help for struggling students.

“I've talked to parents who've had their kids in cyber schools, and their student is having a difficult time understanding the program and contacting the school for additional resources,” Slavens said. “The school isn't available, and it all goes back on the parent. The other problem is, you don't know if that child is taking the test, or somebody else is. That child could be behind the screen, but it could be someone else answering the questions.”

The other argument is over finances. While supporters hail cyber schools as additional educational opportunities, opponents say it'll drain money from public schools. That money — in Plymouth-Canton, it's $7,134 per student — would go to the businesses running the cyber schools.

“The bottom line is they get the same funding as our public schools and charter schools, but there's no brick-and-mortar,” Slavens said. “It's such a for-profit business, and education shouldn't be for profit.”

Democrats did gain a small victory, though, when Republicans couldn't get a two-thirds majority on a roll call vote to give the law immediate effect. If Snyder signs the bill, as his spokesperson said he is likely to, the cyber schools law wouldn't go into effect until April 1, 2013.

bkadrich@hometownlife.com (313) 222-8899
I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG.
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professionalmom
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Does anyone know how the "districts" would be defined for a cyber school? Can a parent sign their child up to any of the cyber schools in Michigan, in effect, creating open enrollment throughout the state of Michigan via cyber schools?
Edited by professionalmom, May 8 2012, 12:50 AM.
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DADDYOH10
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Veteran
Try contacting your state senator: Contact Sen. Glenn S. Anderson through mi.gov site. Please post info after investigative look.
Edited by DADDYOH10, May 8 2012, 02:05 PM.
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LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
Link

Published: Monday, May 14, 2012, 5:10 PM Updated: Monday, May 14, 2012, 5:10 PM


LANSING, MI – State students will have more opportunities to attend “cyber” charter schools after Gov. Rick Snyder adds his signature to a bill, a moved planned for Tuesday, according to his staff.

Snyder also plans to sign a package of bills expanding programs that allow students to gain college credit while attending high school.

Critics of the cyber charters, which offer programs over the Internet and through occasional gatherings, argued that the programs are aimed at generating profits for companies running the schools, and that there is not enough data to prove whether the schools are successful.

But Snyder spokeswoman Sara Wurfel said the governor supports expanding educational opportunities for families.

The theme of his 2011 special message on education was to provide learning “any time, any place, any way and any pace.”

Wurfel said Snyder approves of schools delivering learning in new forms as long as there are accountability measures in place.

The bills cap the number of students who could attend virtual charters at 2 percent of the state’s overall public school enrollment.

Michigan has two virtual charter schools, with enrollment capped at 1,000 for each. The bill includes a gradual lifting of the cap, allowing up to five schools by 2014, 10 by 2015 and 15 schools after then.

The bill also gradually increases the number of students in the schools up to 2,500 students in the first year, 5,000 in the second year and 10,000 after the third year. But Wurfel said Snyder plans to work with the state Education Department to ensure the enrollment never passes a 2 percent statewide figure.

Snyder also has called for expanding dual enrollment opportunities, which he credits for allowing him to complete his University of Michigan undergraduate work ahead of schedule.

The bills expected to be signed on Tuesday remove the requirement that students must be at least high school juniors to participate, allows private and home-schooled children to enroll and sets some limits on the number of classes allowed.

Snyder staff said the governor plans to sign the bills at a 3:25 p.m. ceremony in the state Capitol.

Email Dave Murray at dmurray@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter @ReporterDMurray or on Facebook.

“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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coalminer
Member
[ *  * ]
In our family, we will not be voting for any bond until Randy Liepa is no longer the superintendent. He can take his so called "cabinet" with him. They show no regard for good financial stewardship. And, over the years, they have shown utter disregard for our children and their well being. Why would we toss more money at them? No way.
“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy LIEpa 8/9/2012
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srj900
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
In our family, we will not be voting for any bond until Randy Liepa is no longer the superintendent. He can take his so called "cabinet" with him. They show no regard for good financial stewardship. And, over the years, they have shown utter disregard for our children and their well being. Why would we toss more money at them? No way.


I agree completely with you. This administration is so overpaid and what do they do for the money? Come up with new schemes to take more of our money. They come up with 30 year plans. Imagine having to pay taxes to the schools and then another chunk of money on top of that for 30 years? Come on, someone is dreaming up schemes. As shown on this site, taxpayers are fed up with this type of behavior and are rejecting it. And for good reason. Very little return on investment.

They should explore this virtual school idea. I can picture going back to one room schoolhouses (someone's homes), where a small group of neighborhood kids meet with their computers and have class. Imagine the overhead over on Farmington road that could be cut out? No more quarter million dollar superintendent !
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RU Kidding Me?
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I trust LIEpa with my money about as much as I trust my high school aged son with a fifth and my car.
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DADDYOH10
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Veteran
I don't trust my 19 year old!!! and I don't trust Randy "Roulette"!!! They are both competing for the Lifetime Achievment Award in the category of "Smoke and Mirrors"!
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LPS Reformer
Member Avatar
The schools exist to educate, not employ.
DADDYOH10
May 25 2012, 02:32 PM
I don't trust my 19 year old!!! and I don't trust Randy "Roulette"!!! They are both competing for the Lifetime Achievment Award in the category of "Smoke and Mirrors"!
Speaking of Mr. Roulier, he seems to have a problem when the public doen't keep in it's place.

Jeez, the next thing you know he'll be telling people when they can "come forth" like Lynda Scheel.

“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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