Parent Voices Play a Critical Role in Education Reform

by Shari Krishnan, Parent and Sandi Laham, Instructor, Oakland University

For many parents, learning how to navigate the changing education climate in our nation, and in our state, is an enormous task. When it appears that changes are quickly occurring in our local educational landscapes, parents may greet those proposed changes with fear before they build their understanding of the issues. Parents play a critical role in education reform and the success of each Michigan student. Parent voices must be heard to make sure that all students, including those with disabilities, are part of Michigan’s high school initiative. As always, parents will need to continue educating themselves and stay active within their educational communities. The following are common questions that parents might have:

Q. Why is it important for me as a parent to learn more about the Michigan Merit Core Curriculum?

A. There are many reasons that parents should become familiar with the Michigan Merit Core
Curriculum.

• The State Board of Education has approved the Michigan Merit Core Curriculum, and Michigan’s lawmakers are presently looking at passing related legislation to adopt these changes into state law. As critical education partners, parents need to continue sharing their perspectives with Michigan’s legislators. The conversations are not complete unless parents are at the tables.
• The State Board approved the Michigan Merit Core Curriculum with all students in mind, including students with disabilities. Parents are best suited to articulate what their individual children need.
• The watchful eyes of parents are needed to help prevent some students from unintentionally being dropped or eliminated from accountability radar screens.

Q. I want to learn about the Michigan Merit Core Curriculum and what’s behind it. Where should I begin?

A. It is easy to get buried in information. The best way to approach this may be to gain a basic understanding of the Michigan Merit Core Curriculum and the findings of the Lieutenant Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth (see “Rigorous Preparation and Foresight”).

• Start your learning about the Michigan Merit Core Curriculum by visiting the Michigan Department of Education’s Web site, located at www.michigan.gov/highschool. You’ll find the new standards and background on how they were developed.
• Become familiar with the findings of the Lieutenant Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth. You will find information at www.cherrycommission.org. Read what’s driving these changes and why proponents are urgently pursuing the changes.

Q. How can I get involved?

A. There are many ways to get involved.

• Ask other parents what they have learned and think about the Michigan Merit Core Curriculum. It helps to have a group of people to learn and chat with, especially if the high school initiative and other educational policy changes are new to you.
• Share your thoughts with policymakers and ask questions. Get involved in the legislative process by attending public hearings or talking with your state legislators.
• Make appointments to meet with your local superintendent and school board members to learn what the Michigan Merit Core Curriculum means to them and your district. Share your stories and advice with them. Ask your most pressing questions.
• Watch for articles in your local media.
• Stay involved and keep the voices of families at the table. This is also the best way to pull all of the informational pieces together.

Q. How can I learn more?

A. Here are a variety of links that will take you to Web sites that can help build a context of high school redesign efforts, in general.

• International Center for Leadership in Education.
• National Conference of State Legislatures.
• National Governor’s Association: Graduation Counts: A Report of the NGA Task Force on State High School Graduation Data.
• U.S. Department of Education.

Change, change, and more change means learning, learning, and more learning so that parents can have their voices most clearly heard at educational policymaking tables.

For more information, contact: Shari Krishnan, sharikrish@aol.com or Sandi Laham, laham@oakland.edu, (248) 652-8802.

Sandi Laham serves as Educational Consultant/Change Facilitator and Autism Collaborative Education Program (ACE) Instructor for Oakland University. Shari Krishnan, R.N., M.A. is the parent of a student from the class of 2010. She dedicates much of her volunteer time helping empower parents with essential information needed for participation in conversations pertaining to educational reform.

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