It's a good thing the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, because otherwise the Motor City would have absolutely nothing to celebrate. With an economy battered by the ills of the automotive industry and??its population shrinking rapidly, it's no surprise that the city's school system is now $400 million in the hole .
But here's a wrinkle. Under Michigan law, if DPS's enrollment dips below 100,000, it will no longer be a "Class A" district. What's special about "Class A" districts (of which Detroit has to date been the only one in the state)? Under the state's protectionist charter school law, new charters aren't allowed to be started in those districts. So come fall, with enrollment expected to plunge further, Detroit will be open for new charter business. (Note to legislators: this is what you get for being cute and not just naming "Detroit" when writing legislation aimed at Detroit. The same thing happens in other states, too.)
With the public school system in disarray, the expansion of charter schools should be seen as a boon. But several local politicians don't see it that way.
"I just think it's a terrible time to introduce competition that does not have a track record," school board President Carla Scott said Monday. "It would financially cripple the district."
Hmm. If we were to make an analogy to the auto industry , by that reasoning we'd keep Toyota from importing more Priuses because they're beating the pants off GM and Ford. Instead, we expect American companies to, you know, compete, as GM is trying to do by racing its electric car through the development process .
Here's a suggestion, Michigan lawmakers: Rather than redefining a "Class A" district, or allowing just any charter school to crop up in Detroit, adopt a smart policy from your Ohio neighbors to the south. Allow charter expansion in the Motor City, but only charter chains with a proven track record. Actually, based on your experience with vague language, you might want to be specific. Just say, "KIPP, Achievement First, Uncommon Schools, and National Heritage Academies: Motown is open for business!"
Photo by Flickr user 91672498@N00 .
