Anti-Choice State Board Rejects Funds from Top-Rated Grant Application

Michigan’s State Board of Education recently voted to reject federal funding from a grant program aimed at helping low-income students through public charter schools.

On May 14, four of six Democratic members on the State Board of Education put a halt to $47 million in federal funds designed to help public charter schools open and grow. Michigan secured the five-year funding award with the highest-scoring application of any state, but now that money might be off-limits.

A primary objective of the particular U.S. Department of Education grant program is to boost "the number of high-quality charter schools serving at-risk populations." It aims also to provide more diverse academic and grade level offerings. Funds pass from Washington, D.C., through the state education department to schools that meet the program's criteria.

Opponents of accepting the money did not point to the formidable strings that naturally will accompany it. After all, the State Board has not stood up against the far larger amount of federal funds taken in by Michigan schools. Charters serve 10% of the students here and an even larger share of those who are low-income, yet they only take in 6% of the state's federal education dollars. Counting all funds, charter schools receive 20% less per student than conventional districts.

Meanwhile, State Board member Michelle Fecteau said the state should not accept the funds because some past grant money went to charter schools that never opened. Yet the grant competition that Michigan aced includes thorough assurances of state oversight and transparent information reporting. These assurances ought to assuage concerns about how funds are used.

Another point made by opponents isn't grounded in facts at all. Defending her “no” vote, State Board president Casandra Ulbrich complained about the number of new charter schools that have opened in Michigan since 2008. Despite declining student enrollment, she wrote, "Michigan’s public education system continues to expand." However, not only are there fewer schools in 2019 than existed a decade earlier (3,408 vs. 3,690), but the average enrollment size is slightly larger.

There aren't more public schools than a decade ago, but there are more public schools with independent boards and added flexibility — charter schools — which must attract parents to exist. As parents demand new options that boost their hopes for their children's prospects for a quality education, state leaders should welcome their partnership in helping to improve the state's lagging academic performance.

It's fitting to refresh readers with some highlights from the positive track record established by Michigan charters during their 25 years:

• Despite representing a disproportionate share of students in poverty, charter school students have closed all or most of the gap with their district peers on the nation's math and reading test.
• Receiving substantially less funding per student than its neighboring district, the average charter school is 32% more cost effective in boosting student achievement.
• A 2013 report from Stanford University's CREDO, the best available research, found that attending a Michigan charter school resulted in two or more additional months of learning in math and reading.
• A 2018 University of Michigan study found that the state's 48 charter schools operated by National Heritage Academies provide significant benefits in math achievement.
• The eight open-enrollment Detroit high schools that send the most students on to college are all public charter schools.

Public charter schools remain an important part of Michigan's educational landscape, and a lifeline for many families.

Voting to turn down the grant funds sends the wrong message and could end up depriving students of helpful learning options. The state board should change course and stand up for families, rather than standing in their way.