Chippewa Valley School Board Shines
Bright . . . . .. .
An Editorial in the Sunday March 1 Detroit News compliments the Chippewa Valley public school district for offering choice as a solution to a disagreement between parents and the school administration. That controversy was over a new math curriculum that many parents did not feel would prepare their children for college as well as a more traditional program. The editorial says in part: "Today's fashionable teaching theories will some day be out of fashion themselves. That's the way progress works- propose, test, assess, choose. Given the heat on both sides … the Chippewa compromise is the best available. Let parents decide". Chippewa Valley is about half again as large as PPS and serves Macomb and Clinton Townships northwest of Detroit. Looks like an enlightened community.
Reference- http://www.detnews.com/2004/editorial/0402/29/a14-77207.htm
Intel CEO Comments on NCLB
Standards . . . 
The Wall Street Journal published an interesting opinion from Craig Barrett (CEO of Intel Corporation) on March 4 where he talks about the importance of science and math education. He points out that the standards targeted to be met by the No Child Left Behind legislation are a good start, but are not near enough, and that a higher set of standards must be achieved if we are to remain competitive in the global marketplace for jobs here at home. To read this article, click on the link below.
Reference: http://portagescience.org/wsj1.htm
Michigan Law Gives Parents
Important Rights . . 
Here's what Michigan law says about the role parents have as partners in their child's education. The Portage Public School System has chosen to ignore over 300 signatures on petitions calling for choice, and PPS is not cooperating with parents who have good reason to be concerned about an unwarranted change in the science curriculum. The behavior of PPS appears to violate Section 380.10 of the Revised School Code:
"It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching, and education of their children. The public schools of this state serve the needs of the pupils by cooperating with the pupil's parents and legal guardians to develop the pupil's intellectual capabilities and vocational skills in a safe and positive manner."
Reference- http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-5233_5998-31219--,00.html
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