"Education expert Sharif Shakrani says he'd give Michigan a C for its education system.
Many others would agree.
The state has been lauded for its strong standards and the tough graduation requirements it enacted in 2006. But there is growing concern about student achievement.
Experts say wide differences in test scores across the state are the result of a shocking disparity in how the state's standards are taught from district to district and classroom to classroom -- even in the same building. Some say grade inflation -- giving students a higher grade than their work merits -- is rampant, meaning many graduate high school without being prepared for the rigors of college. School funding cuts have led to larger class sizes, school closures and layoffs, all affecting student achievement, particularly in urban districts such as Detroit."
Many others would agree.
The state has been lauded for its strong standards and the tough graduation requirements it enacted in 2006. But there is growing concern about student achievement.
Experts say wide differences in test scores across the state are the result of a shocking disparity in how the state's standards are taught from district to district and classroom to classroom -- even in the same building. Some say grade inflation -- giving students a higher grade than their work merits -- is rampant, meaning many graduate high school without being prepared for the rigors of college. School funding cuts have led to larger class sizes, school closures and layoffs, all affecting student achievement, particularly in urban districts such as Detroit."
