The wing of MEA that supports newer educators, MiNE (Michigan New Educators), is expanding! Introducing our newest MiNE coordinators who develop local in-person events and connect members to MiNE state-wide happenings, including virtual book studies: Tharan Suvarna is a second-year K-8 technology teacher at St. Ignace Area Schools. Tharan is a former Aspiring Educators of Michigan […]
You are cordially invited to an upcoming MEA Roundtable Discussion for members who identify as LGBTQIA+. Each of the roundtable events will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. and will offer a safe and welcoming atmosphere, regardless of how you identify. Dinner will be served. Register here. Feb. 27, 2023 4341 S Westnedge Ave Kalamazoo, MI 48390 Inclement weather […]
EAST LANSING — The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart, in reaction to the unveiling of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s latest education budget proposal: “Gov. Whitmer’s budget proposal will help Michigan turn the corner as we work to move forward from the pandemic and create a brighter future for every […]
◼ Continue historic investments in early childhood through higher education — including increases to both base funding and equity needs to meet different student needs (from special education and poverty to transportation and program availability for rural schools). ◼ Encourage school districts and higher education employers to invest funding increases in employee recruitment and retention efforts. ◼ […]
◼ Allow public employers to pay a greater share of health insurance costs (beyond the current 80% or hard cap limitations) to improve school employee take home pay. ◼ Repeal the pension tax that reduces the retirement security of school employees and others seniors across Michigan. ◼ Work with employers to increase wages for all […]
◼ Repeal prohibited subjects of bargaining to provide employee voice in the workplace on job placement and security, outsourcing, evaluation, just cause requirements for dismissal, and more. ◼ Remove automatic penalties for school employees when working under an expired contract, like step freezes and pass-through of health insurance cost increases. ◼ Allow school employees […]
◼ Fix the teacher evaluation system to make it developmental rather than punitive by removing state testing data, changing “effectiveness” labels, ensuring educator voice in the process and providing due process for evaluation appeals. ◼ Streamline and minimize assessment requirements to reduce both time spent and high-stakes assigned to standardized testing. ◼ Take advantage of freedom […]
◼ Repeal third-grade reading retention, shifting focus from punishing students who under-perform on standardized tests to supporting their individual literacy needs. ◼ Invest proper resources for PreK-3 reading intervention (such as “individual reading plans”), provide educators with professional latitude for assessments, and develop consistent post-fourth-grade literacy supports to help students get the support they need. […]
From school safety and student mental health to curriculum flexibility and overhauling how public education is paid for in Michigan, there is a long list of pro-education policies that the Legislature and Gov. Whitmer need to address over the long term. MEA’s legislative agenda for the coming years is set by the MEA Legislation Commission, […]
