Remember the $617 million dollar bailout of the Detroit Public School System? Well, there was a provision written into the bill that allowed the Detroit Public Schools to hire non-certified teachers.

The provision in the law states that any non-certified teachers would have to be hired by an “appropriate official of the community district”, and only if the individuals’ combination of education and experience qualified them for the teaching post.

Even with that wording, the media, unions and thus the democrat party has tried their best to make people believe that DPS will be hiring unqualified people off the streets.

A Detroit station WXYZ-TV's article stated: "What would you say if some lawmakers in Lansing said, 'We’re going to lower standards for who can be a teacher — but only in your child’s district?' That is exactly what some House Republicans said to Detroit parents."

Obviously the person who wrote this article for WXYZ is not presenting this provisions as it was written or intended, but people will read this unintelligent dribble and believe it.

According to an article I read at the Michigan Capital Confidential news site, the following is what it takes to become certified as a teacher in Michigan:

  • All Michigan teachers must complete either a traditional teacher preparation program or an alternative program.
  • Teachers must also complete required reading courses. That means six semester credit hours for elementary teachers and three semester credit hours for secondary teachers.
  • Teachers must complete a course in first aid and CPR that is approved by the American Red Cross or similar organization.
  • Teachers must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification and the Professional Readiness Examination/Basic Skills.

Due to this certification process, the MI Cap Con article states that Christopher Douglas an associate professor and the chair of the Department of Economics at the University of Michigan-Flint, could not teach in the DPS system without being certified.  Mr. Douglas teaches a half dozen classes, has degrees in electrical engineering and economics from Michigan Technological University, and a doctorate in economics from Michigan State University.  Despite all this, he would not be “qualified” to teach high school in Detroit.

Does that sound smart to you?

Would it not benefit the students, at least in the high school grades, to have a teacher who has a wealth of experience, especially if they work or worked in the field they are teaching?  I always wanted to have a teacher who actually worked in the field they taught.  Many of the subjects we learn in school are not applied in the real world the same way they are taught.

There are many examples exactly like Mr. Douglas.

Another example is someone who I have regularly on my show.  His name is Dr. Gary Wolfram.  Dr. Wolfram is a professor of economics and public policy at Hillsdale College. He has written books on the economy, has served as the chairman of the board of trustees at Lake Superior State University, was a member of the State Board of Education from 1993 to 1999, received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California at Berkeley and has taught at several colleges, including the University of Michigan.

Dr. Wolfram is quoted in the MI Cap Con article stating:

“I could not teach at a public school (K-12),” Wolfram said in an email. “I think the principal should be able to decide and that the school aid money should follow the child, so choosing good teachers would be rewarded.”

I will be interviewing Dr. Wolfram about his thoughts on this issue today on my show, The Live with Renk Show.

Wouldn’t you say that if a person has a wealth of experience in a particular field that would be a benefit to the students?  They more than likely would bring excitement to the class and engage the students which would make them excited about learning the subject.

Let’s talk about this today on The Live with Renk Show which airs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon. To let me know your thoughts during the show please call (269) 441-9595.

Or please feel free to start a discussion and write your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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