Learn about Achieve

Achieve was formed in 1996 as an independent, bi-partisan, non-profit education reform organization.  It was ranked as one of the most influential education policy organizations in the nation by Education Week in 2006. They managed the American Diploma Project (ADP) Network, the PARCC consortium, and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) development effort. Michigan is a member of the ADP Network and a lead partner state in the NGSS effort. Achieve's agenda focuses on college readiness, common core standard achievement, P-20 data systems and accountability.

The State of State Science Standards 2012

From the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, the State of State Science Standards 2012 is an analysis and comparison of science standards State-by-State. Michigan gets ranked solidly in the middle with a grade of C (an improvement over its 2005 grade of D). California, Indiana, Virginia, South Carolina and Massachusetts lead the states in the A range, although all the foregoing states excluding California have been downgraded from their 2005 Grade of A to A-.

Michigan Public Education Finance Project Draft Legislation (1)

This proposed Michigan Public Education Finance Act  would replace the School Aid Act of 1979, the law that governs public education funding. The Oxford Foundation has funded the research and development of the draft bill. This Act is expected to be introduced as part of Gov. Rick Snyder's budget presenting in February.  According to its website, The Oxford Foundation focuses on projects that “lessen the burdens of government,” The Foundation has a four-person board of directors, which it is rather secretive about and they do not provide information on Board members identities on their website. One of those members is Richard D. McLellan, Chairman of the Michigan Law Revision Commission. Mr. McLellan is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy and the Cornerstone Foundation, both conservative organizations.

There is an interesting memo from July 2012 addressed to the "education community" from the Oxford Foundation regarding the development of this draft.

According to the Oxford Foundation's site, the Oxford Foundation was asked by Governor Snyler to propose a new act to replace the current act. Mary Kay Shields, Chief Deputy Director of The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools and Peter Ruddell of Wiener Associates (a full service governmental affairs law firm) are identified as members of this project and had a hand in the development of this Act's language. Perhaps they are 2 of the board members?

Michigan Online Resources for Educators (M.O.R.E.) debuts its Facebook page

The new M.O.R.E. Facebook page will include announcements, new resource updates and plus chances to win prizes in online scavenger hunts, photo contests, lesson plan contest and other fun activities. Go to the new M.O.R.E.Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/more.mel.org and select “like” to become eligible for all contests.

Don’t forget to visit M.O.R.E. at http://more.mel.org and create your free account to organize selected lesson plans aligned with the Michigan grade level and high school content expectations.

Detroit Free Press reports UDM, Marygrove fixing teacher-training programs

A brief article on MDE performance scores on the state's MTTC (teacher certification exam) in the Detroit Free Press on Sunday, August 7.

Charter Schools in Detroit: Test Scores don't measure up

A Detroit News analysis of Michigan Merit Exam results show of 25 charters in Detroit or nearby, only 6 had higher math or science proficiency scores than the Detroit Public School's average, (Charter high schools in Detroit not making grade, Detroit News, July 7, 2011, Mike Wilkinson)

Failing Detroit schools moved to a new system

The Associated Press reported the Governor, Rick Snyder, and Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Roy Roberts, are moving the worst of Detroit schools to a new school system.  Eastern Michigan University is partnering with Detroit on the plan and will train teachers hired at the new system's schools.  Snyder also announced the creation of a program to raise money to help Detroit students attend college.

Rebuilding Detroit Public Schools: A Documentary

Michigan Radio looks at school reform in Detroit and New Orleans in its 2 week series Rebuilding Detroit Schools: A Documentary.
Their stories include interviews with students and transcript from a special call-in show hosted by Charity Nebbe called “A Tale of Two Cities: Lessons the Motor City Can Learn From the Crescent City,", which aired on both Michigan Radio and WWNO New Orleans.

Nation's Report Card releases 2007 scores

Michigan 4th Graders dip slightly. Story reported on M-Live

See 4th and 8th grade Reading results for Michigan and more on the Nation's Report Card

Fixing Michigan's schools: A five-part report

From the Sunday, Feburary 7 Detroit News and Free Press, a five-part report on Michigan Schools, Fixing Michigan's Schools, discusses the state of education and college (and workplace) preparation. Includes an Education Scorecard and sample questions from the NAEP and the MEAP.

Alarm Sounds at Teacher Schools

The Detroit Free Press (10/11/2009) reports on 2 (UDM and Marygrove) teacher education programs facing tough sanctions that could lead to their termination, primarily because of low pass rates on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification. WSU student, faculty and staff access only.

New Report Available: Closing the Expectations Gap 2007

Achieve, Inc. recently released their report Closing the Expectations Gap 2007
reviewing the alignment of the high school standards, graduation requirements and assessments of 50 states with college and work requirements. It finds that at least 48 states are now actively engaged in reform efforts of some kind.

Achieve, Inc. was created by the nation's governors and business leaders in 1996. It is described as a "bipartisan, non-profit organization that helps states raise academic standards, improve assessments and strengthen accountability to prepare all young people for postsecondary education, work and citizenship". Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm sits on Achieve, Inc.'s Board of Directors.