Dick Posthumus, former Michigan Senate Majority Leader, discussed his role in sponsoring the state’s charter schools law. He highlighted the bill’s passage in 1993, which required 20 votes in the Senate, and its subsequent legal challenges, ultimately upheld by the state Supreme Court. Posthumus emphasized the law’s goals: providing choices for low-income students, improving public schools through competition, and addressing funding disparities. He noted the initial cap on charter schools, later removed, and the involvement of universities and community colleges. Posthumus reflected on the law’s impact, including the growth to 300 schools serving 150,000 students, and the need for continued educational reform.
Transcript
Outline
Career Background and Early Legislative Efforts
- Don Cooper introduces Dick Posthumus and expresses gratitude for his participation in recording his history in the charter schools movement in Michigan.
- Dick Posthumus shares his career background, mentioning his election to the Michigan Senate in 1982, serving 16 years, and his role as Senate Majority Leader for the last eight years.
- Posthumus discusses his tenure as Lieutenant Governor under Governor Engler and his unsuccessful run for governor against Jennifer Granholm.
- Posthumus explains his motivation for sponsoring the charter school bill, focusing on providing more opportunities for underprivileged youth.
Education Initiatives and Proposal A
- Posthumus elaborates on the diverse educational initiatives happening at the time, including Proposal A, which aimed to address funding inequities and reduce property taxes.
- He highlights the significant difference in funding between rural, urban, and suburban schools, with some schools spending as low as $2,000 per student and others up to $12,000.
- Posthumus discusses the efforts to raise educational standards to compete in a global economy and create opportunities for low-income children.
- He mentions his initial focus on schools of choice, which provided more options within the public school system, and the subsequent shift to creating public school academies or charter schools.
Charter Schools and Their Benefits
- Posthumus explains his attraction to charter schools, emphasizing the importance of providing choices for low-income children and introducing competition to improve the public school system.
- He recounts the challenges faced in getting the charter school bill passed, including the need to secure 20 votes in the Senate.
- Posthumus describes the immediate legal challenges faced by the charter school law and his confidence in its eventual constitutionality.
- He shares memorable experiences visiting charter schools, including Heritage Academies in Kent County and environmental science schools in Grand Rapids and Detroit.
Growth and Expansion of Charter Schools
- Posthumus reflects on the growth of charter schools from 300 schools educating 150,000 students to the current scale.
- He discusses the initial cap on the number of charter schools and the eventual removal of the cap to meet the demand.
- Posthumus highlights the role of universities and community colleges as authorizers, breaking down barriers between different educational levels.
- He emphasizes the importance of giving parents and children choices, especially for those from low-income backgrounds.
Challenges and Accountability in Charter Schools
- Posthumus acknowledges the challenges faced by charter schools, including the need for accountability and the occasional failure of some schools.
- He discusses the importance of holding charter schools to high standards and ensuring that those that do not meet expectations are closed.
- Posthumus highlights the self-accountability of charter schools, as they rely on parental choice to survive.
- He mentions the role of the charter school movement leadership in holding itself accountable and improving over time.
Term Limits and Education Policy Advice
- Posthumus reflects on the impact of term limits on education policy, noting the loss of historical knowledge and the need for new blood and ideas.
- He advises new legislators to visit schools, talk to educational leaders, and understand the complexities of education policy.
- Posthumus emphasizes the importance of building consensus and understanding the historical context of educational policies.
- He suggests that the focus should be on breaking down barriers in the educational system and preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow.
Future of Charter Schools and Education Policies
- Posthumus expresses confidence in the future of charter schools, noting their proven success and the ongoing political struggles for educational funding.
- He emphasizes the need to break down walls in the educational system and prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.
- Posthumus discusses the challenges of student debt and the need to explore alternative educational paths before attending university.
- He suggests pursuing policies that break down barriers between high school, community college, and job training programs to better prepare students for the future.
Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts
- Posthumus shares personal experiences of the benefits of choice in education, highlighting a case where a child’s cultural needs were better met in a different school.
- He acknowledges the challenges faced by some charter schools but emphasizes the importance of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Posthumus reflects on the rewarding experience of serving as Senate Majority Leader and Lieutenant Governor, expressing a willingness to do it all again.
- He thanks Don Cooper for the opportunity to share his experiences and contributions to education policy in Michigan.
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