"Every child deserves the chance to earn a high-quality education and gain the necessary knowledge to compete for the good-paying jobs of the 21st century," Scott said. "Passing this plan today shows our Detroit students that we stand with them and are working hard to secure their educational future. The children of Detroit should be given the opportunity to experience and benefit from the reforms underway without having the uncertainty of changes in the classroom or school relocation during the year."
When initially designated a first-class school district, the Detroit Public Schools enrollment was in excess of 100,000 students. Detroit Public Schools recently saw a decline in enrollment, dropping below the 100,000-student threshold. Scott's plan creates a moratorium that ensures first-class designation through July 1, 2010, for any district that was rated "first class" as of September 1, 2008, giving schools time to prepare for changes resulting from the population loss that is occurring in Detroit and across the state.
"We must protect the greatest asset our children have – their education," said State Representative David Nathan (D-Detroit). "Detroit Public Schools need the reprieve this plan provides to allow them to move forward."