No one disputes that the schools in this city of 1 million people, three- quarters of them black, have problems. The dropout rate was 26.4 percent in 1997, the four-year graduation rate a dismal 29.7 percent. Those who make manage to graduate often don't have much to show for it. Engler's proposal is similar what has been done in Chicago, Cleveland and elsewhere. The appointed board would run the schools for at least five years, at which point the public could hold a referendum on the setup.
Some residents are deeply distrustful.
They see Engler's plan as an attempt not only to run the education of their children but to take over a business with 20,000 jobs and billions to spend. This is about revenue. Engler said there is no racism behind the plan, and noted that real control of the schools would be in the hands of Detroit's mayor. The elected school board is, of course, deeply opposed. It has come up with its own set of ideas, such as establishing 20 schools just for troublemakers, asking parents to volunteer a half-day per month, requiring school uniforms, and using students to clean buildings.