EAST LANSING — The following can be attributed to MEA President Paula Herbart in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address on Wednesday evening: “Gov. Whitmer showed again tonight what being a pro-education governor looks like – and now, with allies in the Legislature, Michigan students and educators can count on desperately […]
State Senator and Senate Education Committee Chair Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) and State Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights) – both longtime educators currently serving in the state Legislature – have introduced legislation to eliminate the retention requirement from Michigan’s third-grade reading law. Passed in 2016, this law requires third-graders to be held back if they score below grade […]
Updated March 16, 2023 The state Senate this week gave final approval to House Bill 4004, which on paper repeals Michigan’s so-called “right to work” law for public employees — but it won’t actually take effect unless a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling is eventually overturned. In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in the […]
Editor’s note: Lawmakers need to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to contact your state senator and representative and urge them to support Gov. Whitmer’s proposal to repeal the unfair tax on retired educators’ pensions. After a long 11 years, retired educators may soon experience relief from the unfair retirement tax imposedon them […]
Voters across the political spectrum want greater investment in school safety, higher pay for educators and expanded access to mental health services EAST LANSING – Michigan voters say public education should be a key priority for state lawmakers, according to a new survey of registered voters released Tuesday by the Michigan Education Association. Michigan voters […]
On Monday, the Secretary of State’s office announced that the DeVos-backed voucher initiative, “Let My Kids Learn,” withdrew their petitions from consideration. The multi-million dollar attempt by DeVos and Co. to implement a school voucher scheme in Michigan has officially failed! DeVos’ attempt to circumvent the will of the public by initiating a law with only legislative […]
With a new year upon us, brighter days are ahead for our kids and schools, thanks to elected leaders who are committed to addressing the challenges facing public education and putting Michigan on a path to prosperity. There’s cause for optimism. On top of the record, bipartisan education budget passed last summer by Gov. Gretchen […]
From the Blissfield Royals to the Kingsford Flivvers, local public schools are core to the identity of small towns across Michigan. No matter their differences as individuals, people in rural communities are unified by their local schools and mascots. But because of inequitable funding, declining enrollment and a lack of concern from some lawmakers, many […]
Stories by Brenda Ortega, MEA Voice Editor In the months after a troubled student opened fire with a semiautomatic weapon in the hallways of Oxford High School one year ago, destroying lives and devastating the community, the long process of grieving and healing began. It will continue over many years ahead. Read the stories below […]
Educators Win Legislative Seats to Clinch Democratic Majority By Zach Crim MEA Public Affairs When Jaime Churches’ alarm went off at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in many ways it was just another day preparing to teach her fifth-grade class in Gross Ile. But the hundreds of notifications on her phone betrayed the climactic […]
