Category Archives: Schools

Michigan Band Releases Pro-Teacher Economic & Social Justice Song

Posted on December 30, 2016 by admin

ShareThe Muteflutes are a Michigan Indie Folk Rock band out of the Grand Rapids area.  In 2014, this blog recognized them for writing one of the 5 best contemporary economic justice songs.  More significantly, the Muteflutes won a 2015 Jammie … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Justice, Entertainment, Schools, Social Justice | Leave a comment

Former DTE Lobbyist Now Powerful Person in Michigan K-12 Education

Posted on August 9, 2015 by chadphillips

ShareSix months ago Naif (Nick) Khouri was the Senior Vice President, and a registered lobbyist, for DTE Energy.  That’s good work if you can get it.  Khouri was able to cash in over $700,000 in DTE stocks in the past 18 months, … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Leave a comment

Ask the Dow Foundation to Stop Funding the Mackinac Center’s Education Research

Posted on February 17, 2015 by chadphillips

ShareThe Mackinac Center for Public Policy has released a statement announcing that the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation (Dow Foundation) has given them one million dollars for “supporting research to help public schools become more responsive, measurable and efficient.”  Grace A. Dow, wife … Continue reading →

Posted in Mackinac Center, Schools | 1 Comment

Mackinac Center’s Education Director Audrey Spalding’s Service on Charter School Board Raises Serious Questions

Posted on August 14, 2014 by chadphillips

ShareAudrey Spalding is the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s Director of Education Policy.  Like so many of today’s education reformers, Spalding has never been an educator, unless you count five months of teaching English in China.  Spalding majored in Journalism and Economics at … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Lakes Education Project, Mackinac Center, Schools | 2 Comments

August: When Kids Try to Make the Team and Teachers are Encouraged to Quit the Team

Posted on August 1, 2014 by chadphillips

ShareWhile school doesn’t start until after Labor Day, many students return to school in August to try out for a fall sports team.  Teachers also return to school in August to join their teaching team for professional development.  Yes, a teaching staff is also a … Continue reading →

Posted in Mackinac Center, Right-to-Work, Schools | Leave a comment

Corporate Lobbyist/Former Governor Engler Makes Outragous Comment About Public School Teachers

Posted on July 8, 2014 by chadphillips

ShareFormer Governor, and current corporate lobbyist, John Engler is once again in the Michigan news.  The Detroit Free Press asked Enlger, who signed Michigan’s first charter school law, his opinion about the unflattering revelations by a Detroit Free Press expose’ on charters.  Engler quickly changed the … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | 4 Comments

Republican Mailing Uses Fake Michigan Family to Claim They Support Education

Posted on June 29, 2014 by chadphillips

ShareState Representative Phil Potvin’s mailer arrived in my mailbox today.  Potvin’s letter touts the Republicans’ commitment to education.  It was a bit like getting a mailer from PETA saying they support the meat packing industry!  I’ve seen firsthand the Republicans’ commitment to education when I saw … Continue reading →

Posted in Phil Potvin, Schools | 9 Comments

Looking out for #1. Legislators Spending an Additional 4.7 Million at the Capitol in 2014

Posted on June 29, 2014 by chadphillips

ShareMichigan Republicans are once again taking care of #1.  In March they increased spending on Capitol Police by 1.7 million dollars despite the fact that the Capitol Building is one of the safest places in the state.  This month they passed a … Continue reading →

Posted in Law Enforcement, Schools | 1 Comment

Republican Legislator Admits Targeting Teachers Which Could Violate the U.S. Constitution

Posted on March 12, 2014 by chadphillips

ShareIn 2011, Republicans dealt a serious blow to the collective bargaining process by passing a law (Public Act 4152 of 2011) that said state employees cannot get retroactive pay when a contract is settled.  This law essentially created an incentive … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber of Commerce, Collective Bargaining, Right-to-Work, Schools | 1 Comment

Governor Snyder Deceived You On School Funding. Here is How.

Posted on January 19, 2014 by chadphillips

ShareGovernor Snyder used fuzzy math when he proclaimed he increased school funding $660 in Michigan during his recent state of the state address.  A quick look at the Senate Fiscal Agency Report shows you that per pupil school funding is actually $120 less … Continue reading →

Posted in Richard Snyder, Schools | 62 Comments