Michigan Student Caucus Platform Presented December 4, 2012 Michigan State Capitol Lansing, MI

1. Michigan Student Caucus Platform Presented December 4, 2012 Michigan State Capitol Lansing, MI http://michiganstudentcaucus.org

2. About the Michigan Student CaucusThe Michigan Student Caucus represents students throughout Michigan to the Michigan State Legislature. Since 2001, thousands of students across Michigan have participated in online deliberation, negotiation and voting leading to the construction of a political platform that is presented in formal testimony to the House Commission on Civic Engagement.The Michigan Student Caucus is not affiliated with any political party or organization. The MSC is open to any Michigan resident (permanent or temporary) who is a student. For information about the program, please contact our faculty advisors at The University of Michigan, Professors Jeff Kupperman, Jay McDowell, David Lossing and Michael Fahy.Twice each year, MSC participants, including hundreds of high school and college students from around Michigan, present testimony about the MSC platform before the Michigan House of Representatives' Special Commission on Civic Engagement.

3. About the Michigan Student Caucus (cont’d): There are five content areas in which students create legislative platforms for discussion, debate, and eventual inclusion on the semester’s platform. The content areas are: Justice and Equity Arts and Culture Human Development and Welfare Environment and Health Economic Policy Community Revitalization & Social EntrepreneurshipIn addition to the online postings and deliberations, students are required to participate in an actual service activity project during the semester.

4. Community Revitalization and Social Entrepreneurship Topic Coordinators: Adam Karaczynski and James Foster

5. Topic Discussion What can specific communities (urban, suburban, and rural) in Michigan do to become better place to live? In contrast to the other topics, in this topic you may propose ideas that focus on one community or region other than Ann Arbor, Detroit, or the place where you grew up.

6. Town Hall Meeting Guest Speaker: Shari Robinson-Lynk • Director of Project Community • LEO with the School of Social Work • She has nearly 10 years of experience teaching both social work diversity and introductory anthropology courses at various Michigan Universities (Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University and Washtenaw Community College) • Mrs. Robinson-Lynk spoke about the many volunteering opportunities available through Project Community (in partnership with The Ginsberg Center) and informed those who attended of creative ways to get involved in the local community

7. Proposal Platform • Educating Kalamazoo Students on the Dangers of Teen Drug Usage • Author: Jeannette Williams • Youth Centers in Jackson • Author: Jeremy Gurwitch

8. Educating Kalamazoo Students on the Dangers of Teen Drug Usage Jeanette Williams

9. Need • A recent survey of more than 5,000 Kalamazoo County adolescents suggests that teens are being exposed to drugs at a higher rate then ever before. • 4 of 10 students have tried marijuana • 1 of 5 has been offered an illegal drug or was involved in a drug deal on school property in the past year. • 1 of 8 seventh-graders took OxyContin or other narcotic without a doctor’s prescription within 30 days of filling out the survey. • In an eighth-month period between December 2008 and August 2009, 6 young adults died of heroin or opiate overdoses in Kalamazoo County. • 1/4 of ninth-graders have been drunk at least once and/or have tried marijuana.

10. Proposal • The Title IV Safe and Drug Free Schools Act should be amended so that faculty of schools that obtain funding through this federal grant money should be required to administer a mandatory comprehensive exam each semester the programs are taught on the information presented in the programs on the dangers of drugs. • Students that do not pass the exam will have a mandatory 10 hours of community service per semester that they must complete at their schools location, which will ensure that students are making an effort to be knowledgeable on how dangerous drugs actually are. Failure to complete this community service will result in their diploma being withheld.     • Schools will be required to submit the results of each student directly to the grant committees for the SDFCA school grants because the results will play a role in the application process for the following year, which will ensure that schools are allocating the proper amount of time and effort into the drug awareness programs.    

11. Plausibility and Reception • Recent research indicates that certain drug education programs do stop or delay the onset of drug use under optimum conditions. Retaining the information is very important.        • I spoke with an elementary school teacher in Washtenaw County. When I asked her what she thought of drug awareness programs she said, "the best thing to do with them is incorporate them into health lessons and other classes." She went on to say, "It would be really difficult to have another subject or course added to the load the students already have. So, the best thing to do for proposing something like this (Referring to the testing students on the material) is add it to something that relates to a subject they are already taking. For example, if students are involved in health class, part of the curriculum could be a chapter on drug effects, which they would then have a test on." When I asked her what she thought about teen drug usage she responded with, "It is definitely a huge problem, and kids just do not seem to understand what they are getting themselves into. I definitely support awareness programs."    

12. Youth Centers in Jackson, MI Jeremy Gurwitch

14. Proposal Summary • A lot of violence occurs in Jackson • Research concluded to show high numbers of crime rates, sex offenders, and violence • Gangs are very prominent • Proposal: build youth centers to create safe places for children

15. Problems in Jackson-by the numbers • Crime rate is twice as high in Jackson than other U.S. cities • Violent Crime Rate Index 2011: Jackson= 534.9, average U.S. city= 222.7 • Property Crime Index 2011: Jackson= 414.0, average U.S. city= 275.9 • 147/1 ratio of residents/sex offenders

16. Final Thoughts • Money subsidized from taxes for these centers • Safer environments allows these kids higher opportunities • Less opportunity (to be safe) being born in Jackson, which should change

17. Justice & Equity Topic Coordinators: Ariana Conti and Matt Vogrich

18. Justice and Equity • How can we make policies that better ensure that all groups and individuals in Michigan are treated fairly by government, by law enforcement, by employers, and by each other? • How can we better ensure that everyone's civil, economic, and human rights are protected, while also protecting the public good?

19. Student Discussion • Noteworthy proposals that nearly made this year’s platform include: • Improve the Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act • Alter Minor in Possession Consequences • Same-Sex Marriage • Topic area emphases include drug and alcohol consumption as well as prisons, youth detention facilities, and the Department of Corrections

20. Town Hall Meeting • Featured Speaker: Imran Syed, Staff Attorney and Teaching Fellow at the Michigan Innocence Clinic in the University of Michigan Law School.  • Discussed wrongful convictions as well as the stories of two prominent exonerees • Spoke about exoneree compensation as well as the role DNA evidence plays in wrongful convictions cases

21. Amending Senate Bill 756 Dylan Handelsman

22. SB 756 • SB 756 has been passed by the Senate but awaits a vote from the House • This bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code which prohibits a citizen issued a Level 2 graduated driver license from using a cellular telephone while operating a motor vehicle, and designates a violation as a civil infraction • A teen will surpass the Level 2 license as early as age 17 if they meet all the proper requirements • This bill states that enforcement is only prohibited as a secondary action

23. A Dangerous Distraction • Multiple studies have demonstrated that using a cellular telephone while operating a vehicle poses serious distraction for the driver • Thousands of people die or are injured from automobile accidents each year, and studies have shown that approximately 1.4 million crashes are a caused by people using cellular telephones annually • It is the responsibility of the State to do everything in their power to make the roads as safe as possible for Michigan citizens • Although it is proven that new drivers are the most accident-prone, that does not mean that experienced drivers cannot be distracted and cause serious accidents

24. Proposal • My proposal amends SB 756 in three ways • First, it expands the law and prohibits all persons with a drivers license from operating a hand held cellular device, not only those with level 1 or 2 licenses • Using a handheld cellular device is a serious distraction for all drivers, not only teenagers • Second, it allows state or local law to issue a citation as a primary action • This would be taking a more proactive approach. If the State believes that one should not use a cellular device, then it is acceptable to be enforced as a primary action • Third, hands free devices such as Bluetooth are acceptable. Although it is still a distraction to maintain a conversation while driving, having both hands available should allow a driver to react promptly to any possible collision. • Should the accident rate of people using hands free devices remain constant (at the current level), this bill can be amended further in the future • This would also have a potential boost in revenues for companies that produce hands free devices, which would stimulate the economy

25. Require All Police Interrogations to be Recorded Brandon Israel and Adam Yablansky

26. The Problem • According to senate bill 0152, As Passed by Senate on April 14, 2011, “A law enforcement official interrogating an individual in custodial detention regarding the individual’s involvement in the commission of a major felony shall make a time-stamped, audiovisual recording of the entire interrogation. A major felony recording shall include the law enforcement official’s notification to the individual of the individual’s Miranda Rights.” • “ ‘Major Felony’ means a felony punishable by imprisonment for life, for life or any term of years, or for a statutory maximum of 20 years or more, or a violation of section 520D of the Michigan Penal Code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.520D.”

27. The Solution • Michigan should require all police interrogations to be recorded. • Michigan should mandate that all confessions of guilt be recorded to be considered legitimate. • All recordings are readily available for every exoneration case. • Victims of false confessions and their lawyers will have access to the recordings, and will be able to present it as evidence in a court of law.

28. Support • Approximately 10,000 people are wrongfully convicted of serious crimes each year in the United States. • Many of the innocent who are wrongfully convicted plead guilty or no contest. • Innocent people often plead guilty during interrogations due to intimidation or unethical practices. • “Defendants who plead guilty have an exceptionally hard time convincing anybody of their innocence or even getting a hearing.” • Since 2003, Illinois, Alaska, Minnesota and several specific counties in Florida and California have required all police interrogations to be recorded because "the practice benefits police and prosecutors as well as innocent suspects.”

29. Arts & Culture Topic Coordinators: Neil Rabinowicz and Charles Breitbart

30. Arts & Culture • A number of proposals focused on fostering engagement with arts and cultural activities by residents across the state of Michigan • Proposals focusing on art fairs, after school programs, and community cultural centers • Proposals chosen were: • “Offering State Funding to Organizations Willing to Start After School Art Programs at Inner City Schools” • “Alter Arts and Language Requirements in High Schools”

31. Arts & Culture Town Hall Meeting • Mike Latvis, Director of Public Policy at ArtServe Michigan • Lectured on funding for art education throughout Michigan public schools • Discussed how events such as the Ann Arbor Art Fair are beneficial to the community and help stimulate the local economy Mike Latvis

32. State Funding For Organizations Willing To Start After School Art Programs At Inner City Schools Jeannette Williams

33. NEED • Inner city schools tend to have large numbers of disadvantaged children who have been exposed to several obdurate, agitating experiences, or stress, that eventually leads to cognitive, social and emotional problems. • It is not uncommon for disadvantaged children to experience emotional problems because they have been exposed to harsh realities of life, so they are left feeling angry, out of control or terribly insecure. • Studies have proven that art can positively improve not only the hand-eye coordination, concentration and self expression of our youth, but also improve mental health and emotional stability for those who have experienced trauma in any form.

34. Proposal • The State of Michigan should offer a specified amount of funding to non-profit organizations like the YMCA, in order to start after school art programs at inner city schools such as the public elementary schools in Detroit. • The state of Michigan should amend House Bill 5501 of 2012 by adding a clause that states: “of the over $8 million of grant funding allocated to the MI Readiness Programs, the state must reserve $200,000 of it specifically for the above proposed after school arts programs that coincide with the Readiness Programs.”

35. After School Art Programs • These programs could include arts like dance that will help children form rhythmic skills by listening to music and moving to it. It will also help the children adopt a sense of control and autonomy by controlling their bodies, so their movements match the beat of the music. • These programs could include Painting and Drawing; although these activities cannot substitute for the emotional support from a parent, they can give the children the joy of seeing an image form before their eyes. They can also nurture the intellectual process, especially if they face socio-economic or familial strains. Such art exposure can help their social advancement so the discrepancy between their age and cognitive age decreases. • Implementing any form of the above-mentioned art into school curriculum can relieve children from some of their troubles while enriching their cognitive, social, and emotional abilities.

36. Plausibility and Reception • The State of Michigan currently reserves funds for grants for community development and after school programs, and are adding more to the 2013 budget, specifically for arts and culture. • There is already a website in place where organizations can list themselves and receive email notifications if they were to receive the grant. • The funds are already set aside and available, which means funds would not be taken away from any other programs, and additional funds would not need to be acquired in order to put these programs in place. • The Harlem’s Children Zone in New York has yielded positive results for after school programs that include art and expression. • Students that participate outperform the NYC averages of graduation rate and entrance into a 2 or 4-year college.

37. Alter Art and Foreign Language Requirement to Graduate High School Lauren Rubel Kimberly Zelvin Dylan Sperling Scott Suh

38. Background • Art: The School Code of Michigan Requirement to Graduate law states, “At least 1 credit in visual arts, performing arts, or applied arts, as defined by the department, that is aligned with guidelines developed by the department and approved by the state board under section 1278b.” • Art: High school students are also required to complete 7 additional credits in the mathematics, social science, science, foreign language, or in visual arts, performing arts, or applied arts departments. However, only one of these additional credits can be fulfilled in the art department. • Foreign language: According to Sec. 1278a (2) of the Michigan Merit Curriculum law, "...the board of a school district or board of directors of a public school academy shall not award a high school diploma to a pupil unless the pupil has successfully completed during grades 9 to 12 at least 2 credits... in a language other than English, or the pupil has successfully completed at any time during grades K to 12 course work or other learning experiences that are substantially equivalent to 2 credits in a language other than English...” • In addition, "A pupil is not required to successfully complete the requirement of 2 credits in a language other than English under Subsection (2) if the pupil has successfully completed at least two additional science credits...” • And "the pupil may meet all of part of this requirement with online course work"

39. Proposal - Art: The number of credits to graduate high school should be increased to 3 credits in the visual arts, performing arts, or applied arts, rather than 1. - Art: Attaining 1 additional credit in English language arts, mathematics, science, or languages other than English cannot substitute the visual arts, performing arts, or applied arts credits. - Foreign Language: The number of credits to graduate high school should be increased to 4 credits in the foreign language department, rather than 2. - Foreign Language: Attaining additional science credits should play no factor in determining a student's ability to bypass the foreign language requirement. Regardless of a student's aptitude in the sciences, the foreign language requirement should apply to all students. In addition, online course work should not be able to satisfy the requirement.

40. Benefits of Art • Studies have proven that the arts enhance student’s ability to do well in core subjects, therefore improving their performance in other areas. • Example, Mathematics: "Using visual arts to teach mathematical concepts is a superior strategy, especially for students having difficulty with abstract concepts. Students learn basic visual arts mathematical principles of balance, repetition (pattern), spatial relationships, proportion, symmetry, estimation, and geometric properties in nearly every art activity." - Diane S. Spears, "Art is Good for My Brain.” - The arts make students more interested in going to school. Whenever you develop children’s talents, they are motivated to learn more. - Most academic research supports the value of the arts, finding students who participate in the arts do better in school and are more likely to stay in school than those who do not. - Exposure to fine arts also helps broaden students’ knowledge base, which according to studies helps their reading skills.

41. Benefits of Foreign Language -Foreign language skills are needed to address the strength of American businesses in an increasingly global marketplace. Fields such as health care, law, education, and social work depend on an international dimension that reflects the changed world environment and uniquely diverse U.S. population. -The 21st century has put an emphasis on globalization, and with the improvement in technology allowing people to communicate with anyone, anywhere, more companies are working internationally. Employers will be looking for employees who can correspond with international partners and investors. -Studies have shown that people who master a second language show an overall improvement in cognitive abilities such as mental flexibility, higher-order thinking skills, divergent thinking, and creativity. -Students who study multiple years of a language other than English score significantly higher on standardized tests than students who do not, namely the SAT verbal and math test -Students who study foreign languages have shown to do better in core subjects in school such as reading, English language arts, social studies, and mathematics.

42. Human Development and Welfare Topic Coordinators: Gabe Pachter and Laurence Khakshouri

43. Introduction • Framing Questions: How can we better ensure that all Michigan residents have excellent opportunities to grow into well-educated, well-adjusted, healthy individuals? How can we make sure that all Michigan residents are prepared for the future? How can we help families, communities, and educational institutions work better, especially for children and adolescents? • Town Hall: Peretz Hirshbein, Associate Director of Early Childhood Programs, Ann Arbor JCC • Discussed the need for effective early childhood development programs that balance social and academic goals

44. Popular Topics • 43 Brainstorm Topics and 44 Proposals • Healthy foods and programs in Michigan Public Schools • Community Service in Michigan Public Schools • Early Childhood • Leveling playing field for students • Targeted funding for new programs

45. Efforts to Eliminate Achievement Gaps in Michigan Students Carl S. Witkin

46. Some Facts Regarding the Michigan Merit Exam • 62% of white students meet reading standards while 42% of Latinos and 27% of African Americans do. • 30% of white students meet science standards while 13% of Latinos and 4% of African Americans do. • 66% of high-income students meet reading standards while 40% of lower income students do. • 35% of high-income students meet science standards while 12% of lower-income students do

47. Possible Solutions • Allocate more funds to education • The state lowered its funding for K-12 education from year 2011-2012 by 1.1 billion dollars. • Extra funds can be used to offer incentive increases for teacher’s who students demonstrate achievement progress. • Extra funds can be given to struggling schools, rather than placing them into the EEA. • Mandate that schools must provide a basic class dedicated to reiterating skills needed to succeed on the MME • Only for students who are at “at risk” of failing to meet standards. “At Risk” can be defined by the schools themselves, but could include students who have previously done poorly on state exams. • Add new non-test based assessments to calculation of Annual Yearly Progress • Included but not limited to: increased grades in core classes, increased graduation rates, and increased college acceptance rates. • Temporarily lower standards on the MME, similar to those of year 2011. • This would put less schools at risk, as measures taken against schools who don’t meet AYP may further damage the school. • The new 2012 standards resulted in students passing less in multiple subjects. Including: 7% less in reading, 23% in Math, 35% less in Science, and 37% in Social Studies. (Writing increased by 2%)

48. Reduce Obesity Rates through Mandatory Nutritional Education and Providing Healthier Food Chase Frankel, Abigail Browne, and Jenna Cantor