This report argues that the Michigan state constitution's "Blaine Amendment," a provision which prevents parents from drawing on state funding to go outside the public school system, is superseded by the United States Supreme Court's 2020 ruling in the case Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue. The report discusses a legislative…

In "Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31", the U.S. Supreme Court ended the practice of enabling public-sector unions to collect "fair-share" or "agency" fees from employees who decline to join. Although federal law prohibits requiring workers to join a union as a…

This report examines the problem of school facility disparities in Michigan and the prospects of litigation to address this problem. First, the authors briefly review evidence of the important impact of school facilities on students, teachers, and communities. They then provide an overview of litigation aimed at state school finance systems across…

Describes how a group of middle-school students in Walled Lake, Michigan, collaborated with a Web development firm and the county information technology department to build a district court Web site (www.52-1districtcourt.com) to provide community access to legal information. Includes such features as a virtual tour of the court, "Ask the…

The primary responsibility for the financing of U.S. primary and secondary education rests with state and local governments. In 1970-1971, local governments had, by far, the greatest role in education financing, providing 52.5% of the total education revenue. State governments contributed 39.1% of total education revenue. Since the early 1970s,…

A stakeholder-focused approach to the assessment of racial/ethnic bias and gender bias in the Michigan State Court system is presented. The approach ensures that findings are used to improve the court's response to attorneys and litigants. The process should help evaluators work with client groups involved in politically charged issues. (TJH)

During its 1993 session, the Michigan legislature enacted two statutes for the organization and operation of public school academies, Michigan's name for charter schools. A circuit court judge declared the charter schools were unconstitutional. In response, the legislature amended its original enactment. Traces the short but curious history of…

In "Durant v. State of Michigan," resulting in a $212 million settlement to 83 districts, the Michigan Supreme Court addressed state deficiencies in funding special education. This article examines implications of "Durant" for other educational programs. Michigan is still trying to shun responsibility for educating disabled…

In July 1993, the Michigan legislature did away with the local property tax as a source of operating revenue for the public schools. Analyzes the implications of Michigan's school finance and education reform for fiscal equity, with particular emphasis on constitutional guarantees, equal protection of the laws, and educational quality. (112…

This document describes in some detail the origins and implications of the Michigan Teachers' Tenure Act of 1964. After describing the nature and general effects of tenure, the document discusses specific aspects of tenure law, citing relevant court cases and decisions by Michigan's Tenure Commission. The first topic covered is probationary…