At the 2008 Annual Fall Conference, a group of local school board members asked MASB for assistance in undertaking a comprehensive study of education in Michigan, and specifically school finance. MASB and other education groups then approached Citizens Research Council (CRC) of Michigan to perform a non-partisan, independent third-party study. MASB's Board of Directors has made this study a priority for the association.
Citizens Research Council Study
In 2009, Citizens Research Council (CRC) of Michigan was approached by a consortium of education interests, including MASB, and asked to take a comprehensive look at education in Michigan. CRC agreed to do this because of the importance of education to the prosperity of the state, historically and prospectively, and also because of the share of the state budget that education demands. Education is critical to the state and its citizens for many reasons: 1) A successful democracy relies on an educated citizenry. 2) Reeducating workers and preparing students for the global economy are both crucial to transforming Michigan's economy. 3) Education is vital to state and local budgets. 4) Public education represents a government program that many residents directly benefit from, not to mention the indirect benefits associated with living and working with educated people. As with all CRC research, findings and recommendations will flow from objective facts and analyses and will be made publicly available. Funding for this research effort is being provided by the education consortium and some Michigan foundations. CRC is still soliciting funds for this project from the business and foundation communities.
The goal of this comprehensive review of education is to provide the necessary data and expertise to inform the education debate in Lansing and around the state. This is a long-term project that will take much of the focus of CRC in 2010 and 2011. Topic areas CRC plans to study included education governance, K-12 revenues and school finance, school district spending analyses, public school academies (PSAs) and non-traditional schools, school district service provision and reorganization, and analyses of changes to Michigan's educational system.
Public Education Governance in Michigan - January 2010 - Report 359
State and Local Revenues for Public Education in Michigan - September 2010 - Report 363
Reform of K-12 School District Governance and Management in Michigan - May 2011 - Report 369
Distribution of State Aid to Michigan Schools - August 2011 - Report 371
Education Reform: Pre and Post Employment Teacher Training - January 2012 - Report 374