On whom would you bestow the title “America’s boldest education-reform governor”? Mitch Daniels? Chris Christie? Scott Walker? What about Rick Snyder of the Great Lakes State? A moderate Republican who won office thanks in large part to the support of frustrated Democrats who crossed over in the primaries, Snyder did not talk much about education during his campaign. But his newly rolled-out reform proposal is a doozy—and in all the right ways. Among his best initiatives: Make Michigan’s funding performance-based, with school-wide bonuses for student growth; mandate that districts accept students from across their borders as long as they have classroom space; remove charter caps in districts with at least one failing school; create a rigorous teacher-evaluation system; and tie teacher preparation to the Common Core standards. Of course, all of these ideas must run the legislative gauntlet before taking hold. Still, for now, let us say: Go Blue!
“A Special Message from Governor Rick Snyder: Education Reform,” by Rick Snyder, April 27, 2011.