For News Media

MEA, AFT Michigan call for further education budget negotiations to “get funding right for our students”
The following statement can be attributed to MEA President & CEO Chandra Madafferi and AFT Michigan President Terrence Martin regarding ongoing education budget discussions in Lansing: Michigan students and the educators who serve them every day deserve a budget that invests in their success. Lawmakers shouldn't settle for an education budget that doesn’t invest every dollar possible toward providing every…

Michigan lags behind the nation in school funding. Let’s fix that.
By Erik Edoff, Senior Executive Director, Michigan Education Association Next year’s education budget has dominated recent headlines from the State Capitol, but zooming out to compare how Michigan schools are funded compared to other states is important to student success over time. Despite some progress over the past few years, Michigan still ranks in the bottom half of school funding…

Education Organizations Call for Budget Completion
The Michigan Education Association, Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators, Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity, Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators, AFT Michigan, Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principals Association, Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education, School Education Advocates of West Michigan, K-12 Alliance of Michigan, School Equity, Oakland Schools, Wayne RESA, Macomb…

49 outstanding public school students awarded 2025 MEA Scholarship
The Michigan Education Association today announced the recipients of the 2025 MEA Scholarships, honoring exemplary public school students from across the state who will be attending a Michigan public university next fall. Among the 319 applications submitted for scholarship awards this year, the MEA Scholarship Fund Trustees chose 24 new award recipients who will each receive $1,800. In addition, 25…

Here’s what accountability should look like for Michigan schools
By Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association President and CEO After serving in the role of MEA president and CEO for two full school years, I’ve witnessed the best of what Michigan’s public schools can offer — students engaged in meaningful learning, educators energized by their work, parents actively involved and communities that truly support their schools. I’ve also seen the…
MEA announces winners of 61st MEA-MAEA Art Acquisitions Purchase Awards
MEA members’ artwork to be celebrated at June 9 reception "Strike In Nashville" - Gabriel Marderosian EAST LANSING – The MEA today announced winners of the 61st Michigan Education Association-Michigan Art Education Association Art Acquisitions Purchase Awards. More than 70 pieces were selected from this year’s approximately 170 entries. A reception to honor this year’s entries will be held…

Let’s appreciate our kids’ teachers by paying them better
By Erik Edoff, Senior Executive Director, Michigan Education Association This week marks Teacher Appreciation Week, a time when we all come together to honor the hard work of our children’s educators. The most important thing we can do to show our appreciation for Michigan’s dedicated teachers is to pay them a competitive wage. Unfortunately, Michigan is lagging behind other states…

Students need recess for academic, emotional and physical wellness
By Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association President and CEO As we shake off the winter blues and welcome the sunshine and warmth of spring, let’s think back to our childhoods and how it felt to go outside for recess in April without a winter coat. Think of how the sun felt on your face and how the fresh air smelled.…

MEA praises MI Senate’s legal action to rein in rising health care costs for educators and other public employees
UPDATE 4/2: In response to the Senate's legal action, the Court of Claims judge said that she would not issue a ruling but instead urged the Supreme Court to accept the bypass application to issue a final ruling in the matter. The Supreme Court denied the bypass application but has ordered the Court of Appeals to expedite their consideration of…

Michigan ed leaders support lawsuit challenging cuts to federal special education services
In response to Thursday’s filing of a federal lawsuit from 21 attorneys general from across the nation challenging the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi; AFT-Michigan President Terrence Martin; Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators Executive Director Tina Kerr; Michigan Association of School Boards Executive Director Don Wotruba; and Abby Cypher,…
Media Inquiries
Media Hotline:
517/337-5508
800/292-1934, Ext. 5508
Chandra Madafferi, MEA President
cmadafferi@mea.org
Doug Pratt
Director of Communications and Public Engagement
dpratt@mea.org
Thomas Morgan
Communications Consultant
tmorgan@mea.org
Brenda Ortega
Editor
bortega@mea.org