Failing Schools in Michigan : The Surprising Scale / Patrick L. Anderson and Christopher S. Cotton.

This analysis identified school districts in Michigan that, using a definition most parents would find quite reasonable, have failed to meet their fundamental mission. Using data reported by the school districts themselves and the state Department of Education, the report details the number of such districts, the number of students in those districts, and the amount of taxpayer expenditures for the districts. The analysis shows that the problem of failing schools is of much larger scale than has commonly been portrayed and much larger than the list of "failing schools" under the 2000 tuition voucher amendment. It encompasses both urban, suburban, and rural schools including schools that receive and spend relatively low amounts of taxpayer dollars. It also includes school districts that spend considerably more than the statewide average, even after that statewide average spending level has increased over the years since the passage of Michigan's "Proposal A" in 1994. A "Data and Methodology" appendix provides details about the conduct of the study. Lists of successful and unsuccessful Michigan school districts are attached. (SLD)

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