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Subject: List of underachieving schools released

The Michigan Department of Education recently published a list of schools it identified as persistently underachieving. This list is intended to identify schools that haven't demonstrated sufficient academic growth or progress over the last few years based on a mixed criteria including proficiency scores, improvement and graduation rates.

Schools on this list and their local districts have until November to develop a serious improvement plan (see below). Every school's reform plan will be evaluated by the State Superintendent and a new State Reform Officer, who is ultimately responsible for overseeing the improvement of these schools.

The School Reform Officer has 30 days to accept or reject a school's reform plan. The School Reform Officer may also request changes to the plan prior to accepting it. After its plan is accepted, a school must demonstrate academic improvement after beginning the reform plan.

 If a school's plan is not accepted or if a school does not make sufficient progress, the State Reform Officer may assume control of the school. Under this scenario, the State would implement one of the four options (below) until a school is no longer on the persistently underperforming list.

I am proud to have sponsored and fought for passage of the legislation leading to this process. I am thankful to my colleagues and those who voted for the bills that stand up for all of our students. It is important that any plan takes into account all stakeholders in the education system. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, and underperforming schools must be turned around. We live in a global economy in which our students and workforce are competing against workers from other states and countries. Our cities will never turn around without a competitive and successful network of public schools to maintain the top-notch workforce we need to attract businesses and jobs.

 Local Schools Making the List

Local schools making the list include Pontiac High School and Pontiac Academy of Excellence. Despite making AYP for last academic year, Pontiac High School still made the list. However, they continue to make progress toward improvement. Recent curriculum and staff changes at Pontiac High School conform to changes the state will be requesting that schools on the list make. I am encouraged that the Pontiac School District is making academic progress.

Possible Improvement Plans

Here is an outline of the four options a school district must choose from in implementing reforms for a school identified as persistently underperforming:

• Transformational Model - Districts would address four specific areas: 1) developing teacher and school leader effectiveness, which includes replacing the principal who led the school prior to commencement of the transformational model; 2) implementing comprehensive instructional reform strategies; 3) extending learning and teacher planning time and creating community-oriented schools; and 4) providing operating flexibility and sustained support.
• Turnaround Model - This would include, among other actions, replacing the principal and at least 50 percent of the school's staff, adopting a new governance structure and implementing a new or revised instructional program.
• Restart Model - School districts would close the school and reopen it under the management of a charter school operator; a charter management organization; or an educational management organization selected through a rigorous review process. A restart school would be required to enroll, within the grades it serves, any former student who wishes to attend.
• School Closure - The district would close a failing school and enroll the students who attended that school in other high-achieving schools in the district.