Take longer. Cost more. Lower expectations.

Background: Governor Granholm plans to announce in her State of the State address a plan to spend $300 million to create smaller high schools. Where have I heard that idea before?

In 2003, philanthropist Robert Thompson offered to donate $200 million to create 15 charter high schools that would guarantee a graduation rate of 90 percent. The cost to Michigan taxpayers: $0. Now, Granholm wants to spend $300 million of taxpayer money to do the same thing minus the guarantee (“Governor wants smaller schools”). Leave it to government to tackle a problem 5 years later at a higher cost with lower expectations.

[Letter to the Editor - The Detroit News. Submitted 01/28/2008.]