Michigan Senate leader wants right to work for teachers
East Lansing, Mich. - Michigan teachers no longer would have to join unions under legislation State Senate Republicans plan to introduce in coming weeks.
Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said Friday during the taping of public television's "Off the Record" show that he doesn't support making Michigan a right-to-work state.
But the Monroe Republican says the Michigan Education Association has stood in the way of education improvements, so he favors eliminating laws requiring school employees to join unions.
The move could significantly reduce the amount of dues collected by the MEA and the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan.
The MEA is working force a November recall election for House Education Committee Paul Scott. It says the Grand Blanc Republican has cut education funding.
PLEASE CLICK TO HEAR MEA's RESPONSE
Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said Friday during the taping of public television's "Off the Record" show that he doesn't support making Michigan a right-to-work state.
But the Monroe Republican says the Michigan Education Association has stood in the way of education improvements, so he favors eliminating laws requiring school employees to join unions.
The move could significantly reduce the amount of dues collected by the MEA and the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan.
The MEA is working force a November recall election for House Education Committee Paul Scott. It says the Grand Blanc Republican has cut education funding.
PLEASE CLICK TO HEAR MEA's RESPONSE
Michigan Bill to Privatize Public School Teaching Sparks Concerns
Click here for entire article
In Pavlov's eyes, this newest package is the next step in Michigan's cost-cutting track. This year, Michigan cut about $500 million in public education from its budget. "We've had the conversation in Michigan for a long time about bidding for non-instructional services, food services and custodial work," Pavlov said. "People are looking at this as a front for privatization, but it's giving school districts the opportunity to exercise flexibility."
Pavlov noted that Michigan already supplies its substitute teachers through private organizations. Non-traditional teachers from sources like Teach for America and The New Teacher Project have long been serving school districts nationwide. But this measure would be the first of its kind in the country, allowing for-profit companies to compete against unions to have its teachers placed in public schools.
"I don't think it's a privatization as much as it is competitive bidding," Pavlov said.
Union leaders worry that the measure could drive down teacher pay and eliminate collective bargaining altogether. "What Sen. Pavlov seems to be talking about is handing the education of our children over to the lowest bidder and letting for-profit companies take over our classrooms," said Doug Pratt, spokesman for the Michigan Education Association, according to the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals. Pratt could not be reached by HuffPost for comment on Friday.
"In Michigan, we're taking it piece by piece," Pratt previously told HuffPost about the state's education reform strategy. "It's a dangerous strategy, because it doesn't get everyone excited at the same time. That's the genius of how they're doing things here."
Eric Hanushek, a Stanford University teacher evaluation expert, said he doesn't think the bill - which is not expected to go far - has been thoroughly vetted. "You can't just legislate better schools," he said. "I think it would be more interesting if they allowed these outside companies to hold teachers responsible for their performance."
Youtube - Toby Keith - Made In America
In Pavlov's eyes, this newest package is the next step in Michigan's cost-cutting track. This year, Michigan cut about $500 million in public education from its budget. "We've had the conversation in Michigan for a long time about bidding for non-instructional services, food services and custodial work," Pavlov said. "People are looking at this as a front for privatization, but it's giving school districts the opportunity to exercise flexibility."
Pavlov noted that Michigan already supplies its substitute teachers through private organizations. Non-traditional teachers from sources like Teach for America and The New Teacher Project have long been serving school districts nationwide. But this measure would be the first of its kind in the country, allowing for-profit companies to compete against unions to have its teachers placed in public schools.
"I don't think it's a privatization as much as it is competitive bidding," Pavlov said.
Union leaders worry that the measure could drive down teacher pay and eliminate collective bargaining altogether. "What Sen. Pavlov seems to be talking about is handing the education of our children over to the lowest bidder and letting for-profit companies take over our classrooms," said Doug Pratt, spokesman for the Michigan Education Association, according to the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals. Pratt could not be reached by HuffPost for comment on Friday.
"In Michigan, we're taking it piece by piece," Pratt previously told HuffPost about the state's education reform strategy. "It's a dangerous strategy, because it doesn't get everyone excited at the same time. That's the genius of how they're doing things here."
Eric Hanushek, a Stanford University teacher evaluation expert, said he doesn't think the bill - which is not expected to go far - has been thoroughly vetted. "You can't just legislate better schools," he said. "I think it would be more interesting if they allowed these outside companies to hold teachers responsible for their performance."
Youtube - Toby Keith - Made In America
