Category Archives: Schools

Fixing the Roads: The Issues, the Numbers, and Why Schools are Being Dragged Into the Mess

Posted on May 21, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareA recent town hall meeting on road funding in Wexford County revealed a lot about the condition of our roads.  It also revealed the most likely scenario for funding ongoing road repairs. County Road Association of Michigan Deputy Director Ed Noyola set the … Continue reading →

Posted in Poor, Schools, Taxes | Leave a comment

George Bush/Dick DeVos Charter School Fundraiser Highlights Disturbing Future of Public Schools

Posted on May 17, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareGeorge W. Bush and school privatization advocate Dick DeVos teamed up to raise over $400,000 for the West Michigan Aviation Academy this week.  West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA) is a public charter high school that already receives more money per pupil from the state than 511 of Michigan’s … Continue reading →

Posted in DeVos Family, Schools | 2 Comments

No Foolin’: Mackinac Center Wants to Create a Second Class of Teachers

Posted on April 1, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareThe Mackinac Center continues to put forth wild ideas in the name of “free market” and “limited government.”  Churning out propaganda paid for by the super rich Dick DeVos’ of the world wouldn’t be a problem if our inept state legislators were smart enough to … Continue reading →

Posted in DeVos Family, Right-to-Work, Schools | Leave a comment

Chamber President Slams Schools, Says Remediated Students Should Be Able To Sue

Posted on February 28, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareLocal school districts and local businesses are typically die hard supporters of each other. However, the organization that represents many of these local businesses at the state level, the Chamber of Commerce, is not a supporter of public schools.  Rich Studley, the President of the Michigan … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber of Commerce, Schools | Leave a comment

Legislators Have the Means to Make Michigan Schools Safer. Here is What They Should Do and How You Can Help.

Posted on February 6, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareLegislators have the means to make Michigan schools safer.  Since Republicans have  control of the House, the Senate, and the Governorship, they will need to lead the initiative.  Here are three relatively uncontroversial ways they can help us protect school children. 1. … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Leave a comment

Republicans Pledge Support For Teachers (No this is not a joke)

Posted on February 2, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareThey’ve compared teachers to whiny children who haven’t earned their allowance.  They are making them pay an additional 6% or more for benefits they were already promised.  They have raided the school aid fund causing their employers to freeze their wages and charge them more for … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | 1 Comment

Yes, They Really are Stupid!

Posted on April 24, 2012 by chadphillips

Share A number of times lately someone has said to me “either these Republicans are really smart or really stupid.”  I think the latter is far more likely.  I’d like to introduce two pieces of evidence to support the case … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Schools, Taxes | Leave a comment

Prohibiting Dues Deduction Could Prove Costly for Students

Posted on March 31, 2012 by chadphillips

Share I recently provided  proof that Public Act 53, which prevents school employees from having their union dues deducted by their employer, is nothing more than a political attack on teachers’ unions.  While Governor Snyder said the purpose of the bill is to make sure public education … Continue reading →

Posted in Collective Bargaining, Schools | Leave a comment

Fixing Schools: Stop Attacking the Adults and Start Helping the Kids

Posted on February 20, 2012 by chadphillips

ShareWhen teachers push back against Republican school “reforms,” Republicans like to say ”this isn’t about the adults.”  Yet all the Republican “reforms” seem to be targeted at teachers (the adults) rather than at the students (the kids).  Taking away a teacher’s job security, by essentially eliminating seniority … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools, Taxes | Leave a comment

The Most Ridiculous Report of the Year- ALEC’s Report Card on American Education

Posted on February 12, 2012 by chadphillips

Share My very first blog post was an analysis of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) 15th and 16th Report Card on American Education.  I was inspired to begin blogging after Governor Snyder used ALEC’s faulty metrics to belittle our education system during … Continue reading →

Posted in ALEC, Darwin Booher, Schools | Leave a comment