Investigating the policymaking process and tensions of Michigan’s district dissolution policy

• In Event: Navigating State Policy, Governance, and Reform

Abstract

Education stakeholders often differ on which policies would benefit students, which can cause political tensions as new education policies are enacted or state actions negatively impact districts. In 2013, nearly 10% of Michigan public districts were experiencing financial distress. State demands to hold district leaders accountable for the deficits led to the creation of Public Act 96, which dissolved two predominately Black, impoverished districts. However, opposition to the policy remains adamant that state actions created the conditions that led to districts’ debts. This paper explores the relationships between levels of government involved in decision-making and the implementation of MI Public Act 96 (2013) specifically focusing on how differing viewpoints and values further exacerbated Michigan’s imbalanced education governance structure.

Author

• Ketrina N. Childs, National Heritage Academies