Education Funding Updates

MEA leads first-of-its-kind training bootcamp for hundreds of paraprofessionals

Instructor Chad Williams engages with participants during Plymouth-Canton’s Paraeducator Bootcamp. MEA member Aaron Bailey knows what it is like to be a brand-new paraprofessional in a classroom at the beginning of the school year. “When I first started, I had very little training, and I was lucky enough to get teachers who had 10 or 15 years of experience and could…

August 31, 2026

Fraser paraeducator wins MEA award: ‘Our perspective matters’

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Michelle James In the 16 years since becoming a paraeducator in Fraser Public Schools, MEA member Michelle James helped form a union, assisted in bargaining the group’s first contract, and held every position in her local — including her current role as president. But it wasn’t until a recent bout with cancer that James…

August 28, 2026August 31, 2026

Opinion: Facts point to need for federal voucher opt-out

By Tanner Delpier, MEA Labor Economist This opinion piece appeared in Bridge Michigan on Aug. 24. Tanner Delpier holds a Ph.D. in education policy from Michigan State University and is the labor economist for the Michigan Education Association. I built my career studying public education in Michigan. Nothing scares me more for its future than vouchers. For 30 years, some Michigan…

August 27, 2026August 27, 2026