The sad, predictable, outrageous, and infuriating history of the Education Achievement Authority in 127 headlines

I have been writing about the Education Achievement Authority since August of 2011 when I first reported on then-Chancellor John Covington’s history at Kansas City schools. The EAA – Gov. Rick Snyder’s failed experiment with Detroit school children – has been a colossal failure rife with scandal, grift, corruption, and utterly terrible “leadership”.

The other day as I was looking for a specific post I had written about the EAA, I realized that I had written over 100 pieces about it. And going through the titles alone was enough to put me back in my seat. I was blown away by the accumulated evidence of epic failure, something that, once you see it in one place, makes you really wonder how it still exists.

So, today, I have put them all in one place. Here is the story of the EAA (so far), told in 127 Eclectablog headlines.

• 8/30/2011 – John Covington, new chancellor for failing Michigan schools, faked conflict to break his previous contract
• 9/21/2011 – New Education Achievement Authority leader’s former school district loses its accreditation
• 12/8/2011 – Education Achievement Authority for helping troubled Michigan schools back in the news (in a BAD way)
• 11/29/2012 – Michigan Republicans move to privatize public education under the guise of “reform”
• 12/4/2012 – UPDATED: Michigan GOP education “reform” drawing fire from across the state, Muskegon Hts. charter failing miserably
• 3/25/2013 – Snyder administration wastes no time bragging about the Education Achievement Authority that doesn’t yet exist
• 3/30/2013 – Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager Roy Roberts boldly lies on national television about his “success”
• 4/2/2013 – GUEST POST: Michigan’s Education Achievement Authority Follows a Fast-Food Business Model
• 4/30/2013 – Why does Sen. Pavlov want even MORE schools in the Educ. Achievement Authority? Because it’s a cash cow?
• 7/9/2013 – BREAKING: Teacher fired from Pontiac schools for Trayvon Martin fundraiser now being fired by Education Achievement Authority
• 7/14/2013 – Detroit EAA admins make Brooke Harris’s pretermination hearing closed to the public & move venue
• 7/26/2013 – BREAKING: Michigan ACLU goes to bat for fired EAA teacher Brooke Harris, demands she be reinstated
• 9/25/2013 – INTERVIEW: Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton on exposing violations of federal law by the Education Achievement Authority & how it’s failing our kids
• 12/2/2013 – BREAKING: EMU Dean of Education resigns from board of failing Education Achievement Authority, protest against EAA planned for TOMORROW
• 12/4/2013 – Educ. Achievement Authority spokesperson in damage control mode over resignation of EMU College of Ed. Dean from EAA board
• 12/9/2013 – PODCAST: Eclectablog with Tony Trupiano on Detroit bankruptcy, EAA, and Rand Paul in the Motor City
• 1/22/2014 – Education Achievement Authority teachers speak out on abuse of students and the failure of the EAA
• 1/27/2014 – Citing Eclectablog reporting, Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood calls for the immediate shutdown of the Education Achievement Authority
• 1/28/2014 – Rather than addressing questions of abuse in the Education Achievement Authority, spokesperson attacks the messengers
• 1/28/2014 – Another EAA teacher speaks out about student abuse and violations of federal law in the treatment of students
• 1/29/2014 – Is the Education Achievement Authority intentionally designed to fail???
• 1/29/2014 – Yet another teacher speaks out about mistreatment of students in the EAA. Contact me if you’re the next.
• 1/30/2014 – Head of EAA conducts exhaustive 3-day investigation of student abuse & other allegations, finds everything is just fine
• 1/31/2014 – Another EAA teacher speaks out, sets the record straight on Chancellor Covington’s rosy assessment
• 1/31/2014 – Instead of using proven computer-based teaching, the EAA was the test site for previously untested software
• 2/3/2014 – An EAA teacher talks about teachers persevering for Detroit students despite a culture of fear & control
• 2/4/2014 – EAA goes on the attack against teachers who speak out
• 2/6/2014 – Fired without cause or notification, a former EAA teacher speaks out – “What they are doing is hurting kids in Detroit”
• 2/7/2014 – Veteran EAA teacher: “This reminds me of the Tuskegee Experiment”
• 2/8/2014 – Some things I’ve learned about the Education Achievement Authority along the way
• 2/9/2014 – Forum in Ann Arbor this week will explore the failure of Governor Snyder’s Education Achievement Authority
• 2/10/2014 – In the midst of turmoil, EAA Board cancels February meeting, hasn’t met since early December
• 2/11/2014 – EAA teacher experienced retribution after reporting abuse of a student
• 2/12/2014 – URGENT ACTION NEEDED: House Republicans in a hot rush to pass EAA expansion bill TODAY
• 2/12/2014 – EAA forum in Ann Arbor draws nearly 200 to discuss Governor Snyder’s failed experiment on Detroit students
• 2/12/2014 – Republicans delay vote on expanding EAA – Keep the calls coming, it’s WORKING
• 2/13/2014 – Power outages in Detroit schools on Count Day and fired EMU lecturers raise questions and eyebrows
• 2/14/2014 – EAA NEWS ROUND-UP: Dems get feisty, where are the MEAP results?, and much more
• 2/15/2014 – EAA NEWS ROUND-UP: More on the missing MEAP scores and Bates Academy and much more
• 2/17/2014 – Another EAA teacher talks about the failure of Gov Snyder’s education experiment: “I am more of a glorified babysitter than an educator”
• 2/18/2014 – Eastern Mich. University students & faculty to hold EAA protest rally this THURSDAY + PETITION
• 2/18/2014 – BREAKING: Half of Michigan State Board of Education comes out against expansion of the EAA
• 2/19/2014 – An EAA teacher elaborates on the treatment of special ed students: “These kids deserve so much better”
• 2/19/2014 – BREAKING: Michigan Department of Education to end exclusivity agreement with EAA
• 2/19/2014 – EAA Chief & GOP sponsor of expansion bill: “Opponents will stop at nothing to maintain status quo, are ‘criminal’.”
• 2/19/2014 – Rep. Ellen Lipton responds to news that State Departement of Education is ending exclusivity contract with the EAA
• 2/20/2014 – EAA Teacher of the Year on why she quit: “I was compromising my moral integrity and I couldn’t live with myself”
• 2/20/2014 – Some things you need to know about the Education Achievement Authority as lawmakers consider their votes
• 2/20/2014 – UPDATED: Life under an EAA principal: “Any teachers who allow students in the hallway shall receive a formal letter of reprimand”
• 2/21/2014 – An EAA grab bag: no vote yet in House, EAA supporter(s) rush to the defense of Nolan principal, and more
• 2/21/2014 – Eastern Michigan University students and faculty rally to call for severing ties with the EAA
• 2/21/2014 – BREAKING: Ann Arbor/Ypsi Chamber comes out against expansion of EAA
• 2/22/2014 – EAA Chancellor Covington “supports” Dept of Education ending exclusivity contract – but won’t let them out of it
• 2/25/2014 – An EAA teacher on why she quit: “You are the most unprofessional people I’ve ever worked with”
• 2/26/2014 – EAA grab bag: Job posting for EAA preschool in a “Christian setting”, Chancellor Covington in spin mode, and more
• 2/27/2014 – EAA chief responds to ACLU letter + summer EAA schedule being determined by customers … err, students
• 3/1/2014 – MEAP scores refute Education Achievement Authority claims of success, some areas show WORSENING results
• 3/3/2014 – INTERVIEW: A former EAA administrator who was fired without being told why speaks out (UPDATED)
• 3/4/2014 – UPDATED: In-depth analysis of MEAP data for the EAA shows a striking lack of “achievement” & significant declines in proficiency
• 3/6/2014 – PETITION: Tell Gov. Snyder to end his experiment with Detroit kids in the EAA
• 3/6/2014 – UPDATED: Rick Snyder redefines “success” and “progress” for Detroit students
• 3/8/2014 – EVENTS: Upcoming education forums, EAA Board meeting, and more
• 3/10/2014 – PETITION: Eastern Michigan University faculty and students continue push to sever relationship with the EAA
• 3/12/2014 – EAA teacher’s exit interview/letter reveals additional outrageous conditions in EAA schools
• 3/12/2014 – BREAKING: House may vote on EAA expansion legislation soon, State Board of Ed President says, “Not the time” (UPDATED x2)
• 3/13/2014 – GUEST POST: EAA forum at EMU a sham – No dialogue, just another “dog and pony show” (UPDATED)
• 3/13/2014 – As Republicans get ready to send EAA expansion bill to gov’s desk, teachers say EAA is in violation of special ed. laws
• 3/13/2014 – EAA vendor uses lies to go on the attack against university professor who analyzed MEAP data
• 3/14/2014 – GUEST POST: Students for an Ethical and Participatory Education respond to staged EAA “forum” at Eastern Michigan University
• 3/19/2014 – Public opinion against EAA expansion grows as Republicans modify bill to gain enough votes
• 3/20/2014 – UPDATED x3: As Republicans twist arms for EAA expansion votes, Detroit Democrat Harvey Santana is helping them out
• 3/20/2014 – Ann Arbor school board votes to publicly oppose EAA, calls on Eastern Michigan Univ. to sever ties
• 3/20/2014 – Republicans pass bill to expand EAA with help of Detroit Democrat Harvey Santana
• 3/21/2014 – EAA bill now goes back to the Senate so our work is not done + impressions on yesterday’s vote
• 3/26/2014 – Open Letter to Eastern Michigan University Regents regarding EMU’s partnership with the EAA from a faculty member
• 3/27/2014 – Another OPEN LETTER to the Regents of Eastern Michigan Univ. from a College of Ed. faculty member
• 4/1/2014 – BREAKING: EAA Chief unexpectedly quits to take new job – “Screw you, guys. I’m going home.” [NOTE: This was a spoof April Fool’s Day post that became eerily accurate not long after]
• 4/4/2014 – An open letter to EMU leadership from a former student, current teacher regarding partnership with the EAA
• 4/17/2014 – BREAKING: Dick DeVos threatening Republicans who don’t support EAA expansion with massive financial support of primary opponents
• 4/21/2014 – INTERVIEW – Former EAA teacher: “I really think that they are being dishonest with the public, teachers, and parents”
• 4/24/2014 – After Senate Dems’ EAA hearing, Republicans short on votes for expansion – keep calling!
• 4/24/2014 – My written testimony for the Senate Democrats’ EAA expansion hearing
• 5/6/2014 – Inadequately-equipped EAA teacher fired for breaking up violent fight with a broom
• 5/12/2014 – UPDATED: Who gets held responsible when kids violently fight in schools? – The EAA vs. public schools
• 5/12/2014 – UPDATED: EAA has spent nearly a quarter million dollars on travel, gas, chauffeur, and furniture since its inception
• 5/13/2014 – EAA high school principal of fired teacher: “I’m under a strict gag order, she should never have been fired”
• 5/13/2014 – BREAKING: EAA relents, teacher fired for breaking up fight with broom gets her job back
• 5/23/2014 – Muskegon Heights education advocates submit a “Citizens’ RFP” to reclaim their schools from for-profit corporations
• 6/3/2014 – Maybe it’s time EAA students send a bill to the corporation that is using them as guinea pigs
• 6/11/2014 – New EAA expansion bill being rushed through Michigan Senate, vote may come TODAY
• 6/12/2014 – Vote on EAA expansion imminent, allows up to 50 schools and uses questionable performance testing
• 6/13/2014 – Temper tantrum by Saginaw Republican and GOP infighting stop funding for roads and expansion of the EAA
• 6/14/2014 – Detroit News: EAA Chancellor John Covington to resign to take a new job
• 6/18/2015 – The Snyder administration: Awash in corruption and mismanagement
• 6/19/14 – MLive erroneously reports that EAA student MEAP scores “showed improvement”
• 6/19/2014 – More heartbreaking proof that the EAA is failing Detroit kids
• 6/27/2014 – Disgraced former EAA chief cashes out with hefty severance package
• 7/23/2014 – Proof that Eastern Michigan University’s EAA affiliation is hurting College of Education student teachers
• 8/11/2014 – Over a quarter of Michigan charter school authorizers put in “At-Risk of Suspension” status
• 8/31/2014 – BREAKING: Education Achievement Authority sending out deceptive letters to poach students from other districts (Updated x3)
• 9/2/2014 – Education Achievement Authority apologizes for incredibly deceptive recruitment letters
• 9/8/2014 – BREAKING: EAA Board to interview two fired superintendents to lead the Education Achievement Authority
• 9/26/2014 – Explosive Education Achievement Authority exposé pulls back curtain on who profits from expansion: the software vendor
• 10/2/2014 – Education Achievement Authority Board decries lack of public involvement that they make nearly impossible
• 10/7/2014 – As predicted, one of the remaining two Education Achievement Authority Chancellor candidates drops out
• 10/22/2014 – UPDATED: The Education Achievement Authority takes its (dog-and-pony) show on the road to Ann Arbor
• 11/17/2014 – GUEST POST/EVENT: Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents meeting to discuss ending relationship with the EAA, 12/5/2014 (UPDATED)
• 12/3/2014 – ACTION/EVENT: Join EMU faculty, students, & alumni in their continued fight against EAA partnership
• 12/11/2014 – Republican plan to fund road repairs will strip nearly $1 billion MORE from Michigan schools each year
• 12/15/2014 – GUEST POST: EMU faculty honor University President Susan Martin’s courage & leadership and ask for her help re: the EAA
• 12/23/2014 – SHOCKER: Number of Michigan schools in deficit jumps 10% after billions a year in GOP cuts to education
• 1/5/2015 – UPDATE: Education Achievement Authority seeks to expand itself by authorizing new charter schools
• 2/11/2015 – When former EAA Chancellor John Covington bailed on Detroit, it wasn’t just to “care for his mother”
• 2/26/2015 – Columbia, SC parents ask why disgraced former EAA Chancellor John Covington is a finalist to run their schools
• 2/27/20145 – BREAKING: Disgraced former EAA Chancellor Covington passed over for South Carolina superintendent position
• 3/20/2015 – UPDATED: Now that Agilix’s BUZZ software has been fully beta-tested by Detroit student guinea pigs, it’s time to cash in!
• 6/9/2015 – EXCLUSIVE: Education Achievement Authority (EAA) teachers hit back against unfair treatment and disrespect
• 6/28/2015 – There was a 3rd SCOTUS decision this week progressives should be thrilled with, one with implications for Michigan
• 6/30/2015 – CONFIRMED: Education Achievement Authority cheating teachers out of incentive pay
• 7/6/2015 – Former Education Achievement Authority Chancellor John Covington still looking for a school district to run
• 7/8/2015 – UPDATED: Nashville school board members discover the truth about former EAA chief John Covington and are NOT pleased
• 7/9/2015 – Teachers union wants its money back from search firm who chose former EAA chief Covington as finalist to run district
• 7/10//2015 – UPDATED: How is former EAA chief John Covington still being considered to run schools? Two words: Broad Foundation
• 7/11/2015 – DENIED: Former EAA chief John Covington eliminated from consideration for Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools
• 10/16/2015 – Michigan’s Emergency Managers were supposed to fix corruption and ineptitude. They haven’t.
• 11/12/2015 – Taint of corruption still defines Michigan’s Education Achievement Authority
• 12/4/2015 – BOMBSHELL! Michigan’s Education Achievement Authority in serious trouble, moves to turn at least some schools over to charters (updated)

To be continued …