Reforming Education

Brent Glass
Aug 29, 2011
: Detroit Moving Forward

The Detroit public school system is one of the most troubled educational systems in the United States. With a deficit of over $300 million, the school system has only recently reached a 62 percent graduation rate, up from 58 percent. Furthermore, only 2 percent of Detroit high school students are ready for college-level math and only 4 percent of 8^th graders meet the national standards for math.

The city of Detroit has already taken steps towards educational reform through the Renaissance Plan 2012 and Citywide Education Plan. As well, Governor Rick Snyder and DPS Emergency Manager Roy Roberts recently introduced a new “Education Achievement System”.

Some schools in the city are making an impact on the school system through their unique programming. For instance, Detroit Waldorf School’s Sustainable Tuition program offers aid for private institutions based on personal financial figures. The Catherine Ferguson Academy teaches women who are pregnant, or have children, how to urban farm alongside standard curriculum.

Detroit’s public school system has now been identified as “ground zero” for educational reform. It has attracted philanthropists across the nation. The NBC series “School Pride” selected Detroit’s Communication and Media Arts High School as one of the most worn-out schools and has chosen it as a school to overhaul.

The direct attention of local government and national philanthropists should prove to be a boon to Detroit’s public school system. Investing in education is one way Detroit can guarantee an influx of new middle-class families into the city.