Continuing to push their sweeping 90-day agenda, the state House Democrats are proposing legislation to fix the problems of a much-debated topic - education.
Rep. James Agee (D-Muskegon) proposed a bill that would set a core K-12 curriculum standard for state schools. The curriculum would set standards in math, science, writing, computer literacy and reading.
"There is no legitimate argument against these standards," Agee said. "We simply need to set basic standards."
But many state House and Senate Republicans object to the establishment of statewide standards.
"I don't see a need to change the standards until we see a definite problem," Rep. Penny Crissman (R-Rochester) said.
Other Republicans said a state-ordered curriculum might leave the state financially responsible for school districts.
"If we pass a core curriculum, does the state have to pick up the cost (for implementing it)?" asked Rep. Alan Cropsey (R-DeWitt).
Agee rationalized the core curriculum by citing a survey conducted by the State Board of Education, which found that 87 percent of Michigan residents want a core curriculum for the state.
Agee also said the standards are fair because they were created with the input of students, teachers, parents, administrators and businesspeople from across the state.
"It was a laborious process ...," Agee said.
The state previously had a core curriculum standard, but it was repealed from the School Code last year by Gov. John Engler and the Republican-controlled legislature.
"We took it out for a purpose - the curriculum should be set by local boards," said Pat Masserant, an Engler spokesperson. "You are giving the state power without any way to work with the parents."
In his State of the State speech, however, Engler called for the state takeover of failing school districts.
"We have no choice," Engler said. "We must change the system."
However, many House Democrats who disagree with a state takeover said there is a choice - curriculum standards.
"That is the point at which (Engler's) logic breaks down," Agee said. "He wants to take over schools, but you have to set standards first."
For schools to be taken over, 80 percent of their students must have failed a standardized test. Some said the test is unfair because districts may teach from different materials.
"Kids need a chance to learn what they're being tested on," said Rep. Sharon Gire (D-Clinton Twp.), chair of the House education committee. "We can't take over the district when we haven't even given them the proper tools."
Other opponents of the curriculum plan said different districts have different needs.
"The problem with mandated core curriculums is we have 564 school districts," said Rep. Jessie Dalman (R-Holland). "How can we have some of these small districts fund foreign language programs when they just can't afford it?"
Gire said the core curriculum will benefit the state in the long run.
"We'll know what we're getting from someone with a high school diploma," Gire said.
Rep. Kirk Profit (D-Ypsilanti) said a curriculum will help the education problem, but it is not a cure-all.
"The core curriculum is part of the answer to the problem," Profit said.
Profit said other moves that may increase the quality of education include fiscal equality among districts and increased parental involvement.