Lyons Proposes EAA Compromise Sub

A substitute for the Education Achievement Authority (EAA) expansion measure is being floated among House members that would cap schools operated by the Authority at 50 after June 2015, but does not provide an exit strategy for those schools.

The substitute for HB 4369 would allow 27 schools to be operated by the Authority through June 2014, 39 through June 2015, and then 50 at any time thereafter. It also provides for an exemption for center programs, which are public education programs that provide special education services.

The substitute would require the state’s school reform officer to place highest priority on addressing unsatisfactory results at elementary schools. It would also allow a school district to enter an agreement with an intermediate school district which would authorize the ISD to operate or manage the school.

State Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto), sponsor of the bill, said the House will vote on the legislation when there are enough votes to pass it she said that younger students would have an easier time adjusting to a completely new program than those who have been in a failing school system for more than 10 years. Ms. Lyons went on to say now that the negotiated language has been developed, it is time to educate members in the House of what changes have been made.

Senator Pavlov (R-St. Clair), chair of the Senate Education Committee, said that he and Ms. Lyons have “agreed in principle” on some changes. Mr. Pavlov said he thought people should not be concerned about the exit strategy, but rather focus on fixing schools. He said that the decision to remove a school from the EAA once the school shows improvement should be left to the state superintendent and other state officials.

Governor Snyder, who has pushed for putting the EAA into statute, said Wednesday that critics should visit one of the EAA schools to see for themselves the improvements that have been made.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, February 14, 2014 11:15 AM
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