Educational Reforms #39

We believe all Michigan children should have an equal opportunity for quality education. Education at all levels must meet the constantly changing needs of society.

We support:

• Requiring state foundation grant aid reimbursement be determined by June 1 annually.
• Funding special education programs for teacher training, children with special needs and gifted children.
• Fully funding state mandated programs whether new or amended. Funding for state mandated programs should not decrease the basic pupil grant for other Michigan students.
• Ensuring the per pupil foundation funding grant follows the student to the school of their choice.
• Requiring state school aid funding to reflect current year enrollment based on average student attendance, and eliminate the official count day/s.

• Public schools, private schools, charter schools and home schooling.
• Local school boards having the ability to establish policies such as starting and ending dates, classroom hours in a school year, personnel management, student discipline, and use of local facilities/resources.
• Collaboration between the local school district and the Intermediate School District to establish an integrated calendar.
• The utilization of local Farm Bureau members and organizational resources to assist in reviewing classroom curriculum for accurate information concerning agriculture before its adoption.
• Michigan Farm Bureau exploring the development of a Michigan agriculture unit that teaches students where their food comes from.
• Michigan colleges and universities offering dual credit opportunities for high school students.
• Michigan colleges and universities offering agriscience instructor certification.
• Consolidated districts maintaining existing FFA and agriscience programs.
• Review of the foundation funding grant for education.
• Fiscal aid, limited to the rate of inflation, to districts operating under caps. School districts must exercise fiscal responsibility and look for efficiencies to maximize the use of financial resources.
• Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, (STEM) education in K-12 and acknowledge agricultural education as an effective vehicle to deliver this programming. We encourage county Farm Bureaus to highlight opportunities for school districts to meet STEM requirements through agricultural concepts.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers, MFB, and other stakeholders working with legislators and the Department of Education on flexibility within the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) to allow students to enroll in CTE classes.
• County Farm Bureaus working with local school districts to increase MMC flexibility acceptance. MMC standards must be balanced to recognize the importance of CTE and provide more opportunities for students to enroll in vocational training programs and mentor-based programs.
• A well-rounded education containing basic curriculum, including college-prep or vocational/technical courses.
• School counselors and faculty informing students about opportunities in vocational training, agriculture, and agriculturally-related fields.
• Counselors’ continuing education courses encompassing CTE opportunities.

We oppose:

• Common Core Standards.