Here’s a quick update on the CCSS in Michigan. In June 2010, Michigan adopted the Common Core Standards, replacing the Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs). Shortly after, Michigan became one of the lead states in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, the testing platform and database that would replace the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP). Full implementation of these new standards and tests is to be the 2014-15 school year.
While public education is relegated as a State’s responsibility in the U.S. Constitution, Michigan and 45 other state departments of education contributed and adopted these standards and the testing consortiums for them. I have seen an unprecedented amount of teacher support for these standards. While there is anxiety about how hard the tests appear and how teachers realize their practices will have to change to support these standards, there is widespread support that they are solid.
Unfortunately, in February a bill was introduced in Michigan and sits in committee to make the CCSS illegal. As that stagnated, another bill (HB4238) was recently submitted to amend the state budget that funds cannot be used to support either CCSS or Smarter Balanced Assessments. This one has passed through the House and is in the Senate. According to my state representative, Tom Cochran, HB 4238 affects the Omnibus Budget, not the K-12 School Aid Budget.
This means that if it passes, districts could still use their per-pupil funding to support implementation of the CCSS and Smarter Balanced Assessments. It means that the Michigan Department of Education (that body who enforces standards and testing for the state) could not use funding for these standards or tests. Districts probably cannot fully implement the standards and testing on their $7,500 per pupil amount alone, and still provide buildings, buses, meals, salaries, etc. The MDE would have to spend their budget on something, which may mean defaulting to the GLCEs and MEAP tests if the law says they can’t spend on CCSS and SBA. It creates quite the conundrum. It also creates a truly unfunded mandate. If CCSS and SBA remain sanctioned by law, but another law denies funding of them, what do you do? That in itself is a catch 22, but the real cost is the crippling blow it would be to teachers’ faith in the system that is supposed to support our kids. If teachers are together and supportive of something so drastic as the CCSS, I’m trying to find the sense in unfunding it. I’m pretty sure this is an adult issue and it’s nowhere near about kids.