Charter schools grow in Detroit

The number of Detroit public schools shrunk by half in just six years. Now the emergency manager of the Detroit school system is implementing a predecessor’s plan to turn 45 city schools — one-third of the remaining total — into charters by the next school year while closing another 20 schools. 

The Detroit school system labors under a $327 million deficit, despite efforts by state Republicans to radically shrink the deficit. 

Gary Miron, an education researcher at Western Michigan University, questioned the wisdom of the shift to charters. “The Detroit Public Schools have a lot of fantastic schools that are not being recognized,” Miron said. “They need to be marketed more and supported.”

Miron noted how Michigan already has the highest number — 185 — of charter schools run by for-profit companies. They devote about 10 percent less funding to instruction than traditional public schools, he said.

Detroit Free Press, May 30