St. Joe-Benton Harbor News

Senator John Damoose has introduced a legislative package aimed at improving education standards in Michigan. The proposed bills focus on increasing accountability in schools and rewarding effective teachers while emphasizing student development.

Damoose expressed concern about Michigan's educational performance, stating, “Michigan’s educational standing has been dismal in recent years, and we’re facing a crossroads when it comes to making meaningful changes to address our place in the national rankings.” He noted that previous legislative efforts have not been successful, and his proposals seek to reverse this trend.

The key piece of legislation, Senate Bill 379, aims to reward and retain teachers who demonstrate effectiveness in their roles. It proposes annual evaluations for teachers, incorporating student progress into these assessments. This bill would also allow evaluation results to influence decisions on promotions, tenure grants, and professional development. Furthermore, it seeks to reinstate a merit pay system that was previously repealed.

“Positive results and improved student outcomes should certainly be part of the discussion when schools make personnel decisions,” Damoose said. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and retaining educators who positively impact their students' lives.

Additional bills within the package propose restoring a provision for retaining third graders who do not achieve proficient reading levels. They also suggest adding alternatives to the Michigan Merit Curriculum tailored to students' interests and skills and reinstating an A-F grading scale for schools to provide parents with clear insights into school performance.

“We need to start looking at actual fixes to Michigan’s education policy rather than just growing the K-12 budget with no accountability,” Damoose stated. He believes these measures will address core issues affecting student progress and teacher retention.