LANSING --- A list released today by the Michigan Department of Education reveals that only seven public school districts identified as failing or "qualified" school districts will be targeted by a deceptive voucher scheme known as ballot Proposal 1. The number of school districts targeted by Proposal 1 is dramatically lower in number than voucher proponents have led Michigan voters to believe.

Proposal 1 attempts to change the state constitution and divert public tax money from public schools to private and for-profit schools. Voucher proponents began a multi-million dollar deceptive television advertising campaign last week to promote their proposal.

"Voucher supporters have led people to believe that their proposal targets as many as 38 school districts," said Georgene Campbell, chair of ALL Kids First and former president of the Michigan PTA. "But this list shows that only a handful of districts would qualify as voucher districts. The real motive behind the pro-voucher campaign is to change the constitution and remove the current ban on vouchers and other means of using public dollars for private school tuition."

"Let's remember that this list proves almost all public school districts in Michigan are successful and doing a good job educating our children," said Dorothy Beardmore, President of the State Board of Education and honorary co-chair of ALL Kids First! "With all the talk about failing schools, the fact is that our schools are not failing. Our schools have shown a steady improvement over the past ten years.

"There is no quick fix or simple solution to some of the problems that some schools face. This report emphasizes that there are needs in more than urban centers; remote rural areas are challenged, as well. Vouchers do absolutely nothing to address the issues that are vital to continually improve our schools to meet the needs of ALL children."

"Voucher supporters continue to talk about teacher testing, funding and a lot of other things which are simply not detailed in this deceptive proposal. Proposal 1 takes money away from children in our local neighborhood schools and gives it to private and for-profit schools." Campbell added. "Our opponents are engaged in a campaign of lies and deceit, and they will continue to use threats and intimidation to get their awful school voucher scheme approved."

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