LANSING, Mich. - State education officials want to implement a new rating system for public schools, though it means more than 100 schools would likely lose their current accredited status, according to an article in the Detroit Free Press.
Developed by the Michigan Department of Education and adopted Tuesday by the state board of education, the new system is intended to make the accreditation process less complicated, the Free Press reported. It also will allow the state to intervene in schools with the poorest showings. Accreditation will be based primarily on test scores, though such things as teacher certification will be considered, according to the Free Press.
Under state law, schools face penalties if they remain unaccredited for three consecutive years, according to the Free Press.
"We cannot turn a blind eye any longer on districts that don't achieve what they need to," said Nancy Danhof, a state board of education member, the Free Press reported.
The revised system now goes to the education committees of the state House and Senate, according to the report. The changes are scheduled to take effect in the next school year.
SOURCE:
The Detroit Free Press, "Michigan schools risk penalties under new rating system," June 10, 2009
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "The shell game of 'making AYP,'" March 18, 2009
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