"THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN DETROIT"

The National Office of the NAACP has identified four key areas as part of a strategic plan issued to Branches around the nation to address educational excellence. One of the strategies call for branches to;
· Advocate for effective, accountable and accessible public school systems and for adequate, equitable school funding;

· Examine a broad range of educational structures and practices with the objective of advocating for educational innovations that improve educational equity and student achievement;

· Promote Affirmative Action and funding equity in higher education; and

· Advocate for the fulfillment of the nation's commitment to quality integrated public education.

After a survey was released by a local Detroit newspaper in which participants expressed their opinions about the Detroit Public Schools and after we heard opinions and comments made by lawmakers that were based on this same survey, the Detroit Branch NAACP decided to conduct its own survey and allow Detroiters to have a say about their school system. We strongly believe that engaging in this survey and subsequent events were in-line with the strategic guidelines issued by our national office.

On October 16, 2003, the Detroit Branch NAACP sponsored a community forum on the 'Future of Education in Detroit.' The focus of the forum addressed three key areas: Academic Achievement, Governance and Parental Involvement. It also included a discussion on charter schools. The panelist at the forum included the following. Dr. Kenneth Burnley, CEO, Detroit Public Schools; Ms. Janna Garrison, President, Detroit Federation of Teachers; Mr. Bill Brooks, President, Detroit School Reform Board; Ms. Geneva Williams, Member, Detroit School Reform Board; Mr. Quantez Pressley, President, Detroit Public Schools City-Wide Student Council; Representative Artina Tinsley Hardman, President, Michigan Legislative Black Caucus; Mr. Charles Beckham, Chairman, Detroit Public Schools Bond Monitoring Advisory Committee, and over 200 people representing concerned parents, teachers, students and community leaders.

Also in attendance were members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus that included Senators Buzz Thomas and Irma Clark, and Representatives Bill McConico, Tupac Hunter, Virgil Smith, Alma Stallworth and Morris Hood. Representatives from the office of Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick, which included Mr. Derrick Miller, Chief Assistant to the Mayor were also in attendance. At this public meeting over 120 people participated in a survey that asked questions focusing on governance, parental involvement, charter schools authorization, the hiring of the Chief Executive Officer and student achievement.

Following the community forum, the educational survey was extended for a three-week period to include several churches and community meetings that surveyed over 1500 people on their opinions about these issues. Participating churches included Triumph Baptist, Hartford Memorial, Calvary, Greater Christ, New Prospect, Corinthian, Second Baptist, St. John CME, People's Community, Second Ebenezer, Sacred Heart, Greater New Mt. Moriah and Fellowship Chapel. The results of the survey revealed the following:

· An overwhelming majority of those surveyed wanted the vote restored and felt that the board members should be elected by the citizens of Detroit rather than appointed. (71.3%)

· The majority of participants preferred that the CEO be appointed by the members of the board. (57.3%)

· The majority of participants thought that charter schools were not the unique solution to improving the quality of education in Detroit. (48.1%)

· An overwhelming majority of participants believe that parental involvement is a major factor in quality education. (97%)

· More than half of the participants surveyed believe that the DPS is doing either 'Good,' Very Good' or 'Excellent.' Good (36.1%) Very Good (12.1%) Excellent (3.1%)

· In the eventuality of charter schools, the majority of the respondents believed that the DPS should be the authorizing agency of any charter school established in the city of Detroit. (52.2%)

· In addition, a majority of the respondents felt that Wayne County Community College should be allowed to charter schools inside Wayne County like other major universities. (48.2%)

· Finally on the issue of the recent offer of $200 million to establish charter schools in the city of Detroit, the majority of the respondents believe that the $200 million offer should not have been accepted. (54.3%)

While this survey may not reflect a traditional scientific poll conducted by other traditional organizations, it does reflect the opinions of those who chose to participate and express their view about these issues. In that regard, we further believe that the attached report is a fair sampling of Detroiters' opinion about the Detroit Public Schools.

Click To Download Survey Results. (PDF)