Court rules Michigan has no responsibility to provide quality public education

[Veilex]

I cannot even begin to describe how much this disgusts me.

DETROIT — In a blow to schoolchildren statewide, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled on Nov. 7 the State of Michigan has no legal obligation to provide a quality public education to students in the struggling Highland Park School District.

A 2-1 decision reversed an earlier circuit court ruling that there is a “broad compelling state interest in the provision of an education to all children.” The appellate court said the state has no constitutional requirement to ensure schoolchildren actually learn fundamental skills such as reading — but rather is obligated only to establish and finance a public education system, regardless of quality. Waving off decades of historic judicial impact on educational reform, the majority opinion also contends that “judges are not equipped to decide educational policy.”

“This ruling should outrage anyone who cares about our public education system,” said Kary L. Moss, executive director of the American Civil Liberties of Michigan. “The court washes its hands and absolves the state of any responsibility in a district that has failed and continues to fail its children.”

[belzabubba333]

1. one more brick removed

[merrily]

2. Yet, education is mandatory.

[TransitJohn]

3. Someone in Michigan should use that as justifacation for not paying the

proportion of their taxes that goes to education and see how far it gets them. Fucking courts, sometimes.

[elleng]

4. Discussed earlier.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025854647

[enough]

5. State by state. This is how we are going down.

Michigan, of all states.

[blkmusclmachine]

6. Race To The Top

[QuebecYank]

7. If a quality public education isnt an obligation of the State...

Then perhaps, school taxes shouldn't be an obligation of the taxpayers, who are paying to employ hundreds of teachers, as well as other workers.

[RiverLover]

8. We are no better than Mexico. ~nt

[spanone]

9. so ....how stupid do we wish this country to become?

good god