Schauer Wants Education Reform

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer is calling for a reversal of state cuts in education funding. The former Congressman from Battle Creek released his education plan yesterday which would restrict the use of the School Aid Fund to K-12 and preschool purposes only and restore funding cut from Michigan’s colleges and universities. Schauer’s plan also includes proposals for universal preschool; setting standards for maximum class sizes; investing in professional training and development for teachers and expanding career and technical training. His plan also would increase college financial aid; require all charter, virtual and new school employees to participate in the state’s public school pension plan to help keep it solvent; and create a one-stop shop for parents to compare school performance measures. Schauer is not saying how he would pay for the proposals, but that he’d start with a study to determine how much the state should spend to provide a quality public education system.