In contrast to NY's lameness, here's a great article by the Michigan director of DFER:

In December, the Michigan Legislature passed the most significant education reform legislation in Michigan since voter approval of the Proposal A school funding and other reforms in 1994. While the legislative package seems to position Michigan well for President Barack Obama's "Race to the Top" funding, the real significance lies in the fact that so many Democrats supported the policy changes.

…They were willing to risk alliances with organizations that have not been part of the solution, but defended a system that has failed our children. The result is legislation that includes:

• Tying teacher performance evaluation to student achievement.

• Altering certification requirements for teachers and administrators to increase the number of highly qualified math and science teachers.

• Giving the state superintendent more power to close failing schools.

Michigan needs leadership -- Democratic leadership -- to continue to fight the status quo that has paralyzed the party for more than 30 years.

The state has an unprecedented opportunity to capitalize on the first phase of reform that put children first and change the quality of education our children so desperately need. We need to adopt even more significant reforms…

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http://www.detnews.com/article/20100120/OPINION01/1200321/1008/opinion01/Wanted--Dems-against-school-status-quo

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