KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Kalamazoo Public Schools Supt. Dr. Michael Rice is inviting lawmakers and critics who think they have better ideas about how to teach kids to spend a day in a school and see what really goes on.
Rice says he met one elementary school student the other day who was so worried about what he faced at home that he couldn’t focus on what was happening in school.
“This young man was not unique,” Rice said. “We have young men and young women like this throughout our district that are struggling with very, very, very, very profound challenges.”
He said public schools don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing which kids get in. He said those who claim to be able to evaluate teachers and set uniform standards for school districts should spend some time in one first.
With the legislature scheduled to take up yet another plan to reform Detroit Public Schools when they return after Thanksgiving, it might timely advice.
– John McNeill
