MEA member turned State Senator introduces repeal of reading retention

Sen. Dayna Polehanki
Sen. Dayna Polehanki

Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), who just a year ago was transitioning from a high school English teacher to a state legislator, has introduced SB 633, which would strike the retention requirement in the 3rd grade reading law.

In a recent Detroit News column, Polehanki shared her reasoning behind introducing the legislation.  “Let’s trust our teachers and schools to determine who to retain and when rather than forcing a test-based grade promotion law on them,” Polehanki said.

“No two students are alike. Retaining kids based solely on a test score isn’t innovation — it’s regression. We must do away with the test-and-punish piece of Michigan’s reading law, invest in early childhood education and literacy coaches, and give families and education professionals the ability to tailor a path that is right for each student.”

Read Sen. Polehanki’s column here.

 

Legislation Newsroom

Releated

MEA praises MI Senate’s legal action to rein in rising health care costs for educators and other public employees

The Michigan Education Association commended the Michigan Senate for standing up for educators after the Senate formally requested that a judge order the delivery of already-passed legislation to the governor for her signature. Among the nine bills the House has failed to present to the governor — despite having already passed both the House and […]