FARMINGTON HILLS — State Rep. Christine Greig (D‐Farmington Hills) will host a viewing of the film “Backpack Full of Cash” followed by a panel discussion on the for-profit charter school movement in Michigan from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 11 at the Costick Activities Center, 28600 W. 11 Mile Road in Farmington Hills. Special guests and discussion panelists will include state Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township); Michigan State Board of Education Co-President Casandra Ulbrich, Ph.D.; American Federation of Teachers K-12 policy analyst Nate Walker; and charter school parent and 482Forward representative Star Roland.
“The decision about where to send your children for an education is a deeply personal one, and in recent years, Michigan parents have seen an explosion of options in terms of educational choices,” Rep. Greig said. “Many parents aren’t aware, however, that for-profit companies manage the day-to-day operations of many of the charter schools in Michigan. In fact, Michigan has the highest percentage of charter schools run by for-profit education management organizations of any state in the country. Parents — and taxpayers — deserve to know the ramifications of this for-profit education movement.”
Earlier this month, Rep. Greig and other House Democrats unveiled the School FACT Act, a set of bills that would bring disclosure and accountability standards and reforms to EMOs and charter school authorizers to bring them in line with the expectations held of traditional public schools and charter schools. About 10 percent of Michigan school children attend charter schools, and about 10 percent of School Aid Fund dollars flows to charter schools.
“The quality of education Michigan children receive directly affects not only their own future, but the ability of our state to compete for economic development and the best jobs of the future,” Rep. Greig said. “Making sure every child gets the best education possible, no matter which school they go to, is important to every Michigander, whether or not they have a child who is currently in school. I urge everyone to attend this film viewing and join this discussion.”
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Who: State Rep. Christine Greig (D‐Farmington Hills); state Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township); Michigan State Board of Education Co-President Casandra Ulbrich, Ph.D.; American Federation of Teachers K-12 policy analyst Nate Walker; and charter school parent and 482Forward representative Star Roland
Where: Costick Activities Center, 28600 11 Mile Road in Farmington Hills
When: Monday, Dec. 11, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.