This is another event, in a series of events that just makes me sick to my stomach. If you haven't heard of this union loonery, let me help inform ya. First the title of the article ought to be pretty self explanatory... but there's more.
Detroit Public School Teacher ‘Sick Out‘ Underway
Nearly all schools in Detroit were closed Wednesday due to a massive teacher “sick out,” preventing students from attending class.
Teachers have complained about over-crowded classrooms, poor school conditions, and dissatisfaction with the idea of charter school growth in Michigan.
OK, let's pause here. I contend that the over-crowded classrooms and poor school conditions are the fault of the very teachers that are complaining. More over, the real complaint is indeed the evil "charter school growth in Michigan".
To prove it, let's look at their funding.
* Lack of progress is due not to a lack of resources in Detroit public schools, which spend roughly $16,000 per pupil per year. ( the national average is $10,667 )
* About 75 percent of the annual District budget goes toward paying employees covered by its current collective bargaining agreement for teachers.
* Out of a new $7,450-per-pupil grant the Detroit school district will receive this year, $4,400 will be spent on debt servicing and benefits for teachers who have retired.
* DPS has a debt of over $3.5 billion, which includes unfunded pension liabilities.
The real kick in the nuts here is....
Meanwhile, 46,000 kids are unable to attend school in Detroit.
Among those 46,000, it’s likely that less than 4,000 of them can read proficiently. According to the U.S. Department of Education, just 8 percent of Detroit eighth-graders can read proficiently. Eight percent.
And just seven in 10 students graduate.
No small wonder these teachers unions go all radical about charter schools.
Alright, that's my rant. I don't know the answer but maybe they can begin by considering how to tackle the barriers to school choice that currently exist in the state....and around the Country for that matter.
Detroit Public School Teacher ‘Sick Out‘ Underway
Nearly all schools in Detroit were closed Wednesday due to a massive teacher “sick out,” preventing students from attending class.
Teachers have complained about over-crowded classrooms, poor school conditions, and dissatisfaction with the idea of charter school growth in Michigan.
OK, let's pause here. I contend that the over-crowded classrooms and poor school conditions are the fault of the very teachers that are complaining. More over, the real complaint is indeed the evil "charter school growth in Michigan".
To prove it, let's look at their funding.
* Lack of progress is due not to a lack of resources in Detroit public schools, which spend roughly $16,000 per pupil per year. ( the national average is $10,667 )
* About 75 percent of the annual District budget goes toward paying employees covered by its current collective bargaining agreement for teachers.
* Out of a new $7,450-per-pupil grant the Detroit school district will receive this year, $4,400 will be spent on debt servicing and benefits for teachers who have retired.
* DPS has a debt of over $3.5 billion, which includes unfunded pension liabilities.
The real kick in the nuts here is....
Meanwhile, 46,000 kids are unable to attend school in Detroit.
Among those 46,000, it’s likely that less than 4,000 of them can read proficiently. According to the U.S. Department of Education, just 8 percent of Detroit eighth-graders can read proficiently. Eight percent.
And just seven in 10 students graduate.
No small wonder these teachers unions go all radical about charter schools.
Alright, that's my rant. I don't know the answer but maybe they can begin by considering how to tackle the barriers to school choice that currently exist in the state....and around the Country for that matter.