Pre K-12 & PSRP Issues
Michigan's future depends on the quality of education it provides for learners of all ages. Education reform has taken center stage in state and federal policy debates of late. Through all the confusion of competing claims, one thing remains clear: educators, parents and other stakeholders want a quality education for all students, and recognize that this means supporting "what works" in public schools. All of us want schools with high standards and high expectations, small class sizes, and highly qualified teachers and support staff. We want students spending time learning, not testing. And we want all students to be safe, secure and prepared for post- secondary education and successful careers. AFT Michigan has always advocated for accountability, transparency, and meaningful research-based initiatives. Accountability and transparency must encompass all stakeholders - from students, teachers, and administrators to parents, civic and business leaders. We must avoid the temptation of trendy "silver bullet" solutions and base our reforms on quality research. Lasting improvements in our schools will be found through collaboration and locally-negotiated solutions to the challenges we face, supported by a similar spirit of cooperation at the state level. In this platform, AFT Michigan has identified a set of priorities for Michigan public schools. Decades of solid evidence support these ten pillars of a high quality education system:
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