LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan's latest education budget has jostled teachers and Democrats who fear it will lead to school closures.
The 2018-2019 education budget, signed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder this week, appropriates a record $16.8 billion to public and charter schools. It also includes a provision concerning "partnership" districts, which are Michigan's lowest-performing schools that have agreed to work with the Michigan Department of Education to avoid closures.
Under the budget, partnership schools risk being shuttered or losing at least 25 percent of teachers and faculty if they can't prove students are on track to meet grade level proficiency standards in 18- and 36-month intervals.
Melissa Wriggelsworth, a former teacher with the Lansing Public School District, says the ultimatum is unfair to teachers working with Michigan's most disadvantaged students.
