The following action alert was sent out to MIPFS subscribers today.

Lets think clearly about the changes we make to qualify for Federal funding

Dear supporters of public education,

This has been a busy fall for all of us at Michigan Parents for Schools, and you have have heard less from us than usual given the turmoil around education funding in Michigan. You will be hearing much more from us soon! But there is a fast-approaching issue which we wanted to bring to your attention today. Our main concern is that rapidly cobbled-together measures, designed to qualify Michigan to receive further Federal stimulus funding, will make permanent changes to our schools that have not received adequate consideration. We are especially concerned with the emphasis put on standardized testing as the primary measure of student achievement and the major factor in evaluating teachers, administrators and schools.

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted Thursday to cut state aid to schools by $110 per pupil next year, and also to completely eliminate several state programs to assist early childhood education and school readiness.

Click here to see our action alert message, and contact your legislators!

Dear Friends,

As I’m sure you know, time is running out for a budget deal in Lansing. The new fiscal year starts tonight at midnight, and the Governor has already made plans for a government shutdown.

So the pressure is on, as it should be. But sometimes, during protracted late-night negotiations where everyone is playing “let’s make a deal,” people can lose sight of what’s really important. Let’s remind them!

http://capwiz.com/miparentsforschools/issues/alert/?alertid=10302701&typ...

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Make your voices heard!

The school funding situation is at a critical juncture. State officials have just finished their review of expected tax collections. They found that revenues earmarked for schools will come in even lower than expected in January — $153 million lower than the earlier estimates that were already revised downward. That means a total shortfall of as much as $560 million for this year and cuts to districts of $116 per pupil right at the end of the year unless new money is found.

We sent this letter to Chmn. Cushingberry, other members of the House Appropriations Committee, Reps. Ebli (Monroe) and Warren (Ann Arbor), and Sens. Brater and Richardville, on April 5th. A copy of the final letter in PDF form is attached to this posting.

Dear friends,

As you may know, last week the Senate passed a bill, along party lines, that would cut $34 per pupil from school districts’ allowances for this year. This and other cuts were part of an attempt by the Senate’s Republican majority to close the School Aid Fund deficit of $377 million without any new revenues.

While the $34 cut seems small, it is coming so late in the schools’ fiscal years that it has the potential to be very destructive — especially to districts which have little or no reserve.