The Michigan Senate voted today to scrap the state's A-F system for grading school performance.
The bill was adopted on a 20-to-18 party-line vote. Republicans voted no. They say this will eliminate an easy-to-understand system that helps parents, students, and the public get a sense of how schools are performing. But Democrats argue the A-F system can be misleading. They say that's why so many teachers and administrators want it gone.
Democratic Senator Dayna Polehanki chairs the Senate Education Committee. "Most importantly, the A-F system is redundant to the school index system and pales in comparison in scope and precision," she says. She's referring to the state Department of Education's parent's portal. The bill is now on its way to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her signature.
