Every school community has numerous dedicated employees who spend their day in support of educators and students. Michigan’s Education Support Staff Professional of the Year program exists to honor these outstanding staff members, and nominations for the 2021 award are now open. Those working in educational support staff roles such as transportation workers, cafeteria workers, […]
This week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) released new guidance about layering protections for safer school operations during COVID-19. They echo recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about in-person school this fall. As rising case levels show, this pandemic is not over. MEA continues to believe health […]
Last summer, amid a global pandemic, racial unrest and a divisive national election, MEA member Travis Neller wanted to give young people a chance to join the dialogue surrounding tough issues facing the country – so he took action. A prevention specialist at the regional educational services agency in Eaton County – Eaton RESA – […]
NEA has released a first-of-its-kind report on the impact of a growing mountain of student loan debt among educators. The report, “Student Loan Debt Among Educators: A National Crisis,” found that no segment of educators is immune from the burden of student loan debt – not young educators, not older and more experienced educators, and […]
With educator shortages crippling the state’s K–12 workforce and impacting learning opportunities for students, Launch Michigan today released the findings of a statewide survey of more than 5,000 public school teachers and other professionals. The findings shed light on many of the reasons why Michigan educators are leaving the profession. Launch Michigan, a partnership of business, […]
On Tuesday in Kentwood, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the 2021-22 K-12 education budget, which invests a record $17.1 billion in schools and equalizes the state’s foundation grant funding for districts at $8,700 per pupil. MEA President Paula Herbart joined Whitmer at the press conference announcing the signing. See her remarks in this WLNS news coverage […]
The Aspiring Educators of Michigan (AEM) – MEA’s pre-professional wing made up of college and university student members – has taken home a national award of excellence for the second year in a row. AEM leaders were honored with the 2021 NEA Aspiring Educators State Excellence Award at a newly redesigned ceremony in June that […]
On Wednesday, the State Senate passed the 2021-22 K-12 school budget, adding additional funding to what was already the largest proposed investment in K-12 public schools in the state’s history. The Senate made changes to HB 4411 that added $300 million to the amount agreed to last week by the Governor and the House, putting the new figure […]
EAST LANSING — The following statement can be attributed to MEA President Paula Herbart in response to today’s passage of the 2021-22 K-12 school budget by the Legislature: “Equalizing the state foundation grants for our children’s education is a major step in the right direction for school funding. We appreciate the leadership from Gov. Whitmer […]
The State House passed bipartisan legislation reducing the time spent on standardized testing last week by eliminating the mandate that all students complete the ACT WorkKeys test. The legislation, which now goes to the State Senate for their consideration, allows districts and students who want to take the test to “opt in” instead. This would […]
