Why Join the Legislative Committee?

WE MAKE AN IMPACT. The motto, “Every Child. One Voice.” has a greater impact when, collectively, our RCS PTA Council speaks in unison on public education issues that impact our school district and public education throughout the state of Michigan.

WE ADVOCATE FOR OUR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION. The Legislative Committee works to inform representatives from every school within the RCS district on local, state and federal public education legislative issues. If proposed, pending or passed legislation warrants a position from the Legislative Committee, the committee will vote to approve statements, resolutions or advocacy action for discussions and passage at monthly PTA Council meetings.

WE COMMUNICATE WITH ADMINISTRATORS AND EDUCATORS. The monthly Legislative meetings are a great time for committee members to hear administration and teacher perspectives on public education issues because the RCS Superintendent as well as the Rochester Education Association President are usually in attendance.

For more information, contact Susanna Brennan, PTA Legislative Committee Chair, at  (ptalegislativecommittee@gmail.com)

      UPCOMING MEETING DATES 

                                                                                                       March 3,2023 (State Sen. Michael Webber), 

                                                                                                       April 6, 2023

                                                                                                       May 5, 2023

                                                                                                       June 2,2023 (last day of school June 9)

Important Education Committee Activity

a. SB 0012: Modification of bill regarding retention policy of 3rd grade students,

as it relates to reading proficiency. On 2/1/23, the Senate Education

Committee voted 5-1 to advance legislation to repeal the retention rule in

Michigan’s Read by Grade Three law, and it was referred to Committee of

the Whole. Public Act 306 of 2016 (also known as the "Read by Grade Three"

law) generally requires the retention of a grade 3 pupil if the pupil is one or

more years behind grade level in reading proficiency unless a good cause

exemption is granted. Some people believe that the mandatory retention

requirement unnecessarily punishes students based on their performance on

a one-time test, which can have a long-term negative impact on the students

if they are retained. Accordingly, it has been suggested that the mandatory

retention requirement be removed.

The bill would amend the Revised School Code to do the following:

 Delete provisions prohibiting the promotion of a pupil to grade 4 unless

the pupil demonstrated a satisfactory reading score, or otherwise

demonstrated a grade 3 reading level.

 Delete provisions prohibiting a school district superintendent or public

school academy (PSA) chief administrator from allowing a child under 10

years old to enroll in grade 4 unless he or she demonstrated a

satisfactory reading score, or otherwise demonstrated a grade 3 reading

level.

 Modify a requirement that a school district or PSA provide a reading

intervention program that was intended to correct a pupil's specific

reading deficiency to certain specified pupils.

 Delete provisions specifying reasons and procedures for granting a good

cause exemption from the grade 3 promotion and retention

requirements.

 Delete a provision requiring a school district or PSA to submit a retention

report to the Center for Educational Performance and Information.

 Public Act 306 of 2016 (also known as the "Read by Grade Three" law)

generally requires the retention of a grade 3 pupil if the pupil is one or

more years behind grade level in reading proficiency unless a good cause

exemption is granted. Some people believe that the mandatory retention

requirement unnecessarily punishes students based on their

performance on a one-time test, which can have a long-term negative

impact on the students if they are retained. Accordingly, it has been

suggested that the mandatory retention requirement be removed.