We’re Not Alone

We have not yet taken a position in regard to House Bill 4410 (The Sheltrown bill). None of the statewide associations with whom we work have either. The superintendent association has not. The ISD superintendent association has not. The school board's association has not. The MEA has not. The Department of Education has not. The MI Chamber has not. And, no legislative caucus has as well. Yet, MASSP is threatened by some from the CTE community to support the bill or lose their membership.

As the lobbyist from the MEA told me yesterday, “they will not be a part of any legislation that is seen as lowering the state academic standards.” That’s what we’re all saying. Behind the scenes we’re working hard to find a compromise. If we show our hand too early, we’re not longer in the game.

I’ve been meeting with the staff of the bill’s sponsor trying to get language in the bill that meets the needs of our members. It is our goal to have every student be able to meet the AYP standard as measured by MME. Any option that allows a student to earn required credit for work that doesn’t instruct to meet this standard is not acceptable.

In an email from the sponsor’s staff I received this week she says, “I just wanted to give you an update about where we are with 4410. I know it will not satisfy you completely, but I hope you will agree that we're moving closer together. Here are the highlights:

1. Language changes to be more explicit that this bill yields one diploma, two pathways.
2. Language that makes it clearer those CTE methods of delivery can be used to award credit in many subject areas.
3. Language that clears up the confusion about the number of content standards covered and credit awarded (page 10 of draft).

We don’t want to go back to a time where “those kids go to voc ed and the good kids go to college prep.”