Legislation

The dawn of a new school year should be a time of joy and optimism for our children. There are new things to learn, new friends to make, and new challenges to overcome. But beneath the surface, there’s a feeling of dread among many educators, students and parents. After all, it’s only a matter of time before another deadly school…

Brittany Perreault Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed a historic education budget that will alleviate many of the hurdles facing those who are considering a career in education but can’t afford it. In addition to a monumental increase to education funding as a whole, the 2022-23 education budget includes: $305 million for a Future Educators Fellowship to provide grants of up…

Michigan’s economic future hinges on our state’s ability to attract good jobs and investments — and no factor is more critical in that endeavor than having an educated and trained workforce. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recognizes that, and it’s reflected in the new state budget that passed last Friday with overwhelming bipartisan support. The quality of a state’s workforce is the…

In the early hours of July 1, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders came to an agreement on School Aid and Higher Education budgets for the coming school year that continue to break records for funding opportunities for Michigan students and educators. With constant advocacy from Gov. Whitmer starting with her February budget proposal, the final budget spends a record…

EAST LANSING — The Michigan Education Association on Friday praised the education budget agreement reached by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and lawmakers from both parties, and educators are urging state leaders to continue working together to find solutions to the challenges facing our schools. “The Michigan Education Association praises Gov. Whitmer and legislative leaders for coming together for the sake of…

Launch Michigan — a broad coalition of education, labor, business, philanthropic and civic organizations dedicated to improving Michigan’s education system for all students — has released its Framework for transforming Michigan’s educational system to equip students for a world economy. The Framework is unique in its scope, ambition, and density. No other education transformation effort in recent memory goes so…

School districts may have until April 2026 to spend federal school rescue dollars, the U.S. Department of Education recently announced. To qualify for this extension, school districts must have a signed contract for the expenditure and an extension request approved by the Michigan Department of Education prior to Sept. 30, 2024. This extension will provide school districts with flexibility when…

The firsthand accounts of survivors of school shootings are gut-wrenching, heartbreaking and becoming far too common. As preventable acts of violence continue to take the lives of students and educators across the country, recent polling shows MEA members stand firm in their support of common-sense laws to improve gun safety and prevent school shootings. A poll conducted in January by…

By Brenda Ortega, MEA Voice Editor Michigan Education Association MEA member Leah Ramirez is sick and tired. Elizabeth Renato and Leah Ramirez Sick of conducting practice lock downs to prepare against potential violence with her kindergarten students in Northview Public Schools in Grand Rapids. Tired of trying to reassure them they are safe despite the grim reason behind the drills.…

EAST LANSING — The Michigan Education Association and local educators Friday praised Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for signing legislation that provides much-needed financial relief to Oxford Community Schools in the aftermath of last fall’s tragic shooting at Oxford High School. House Bill 6012 provides Oxford with $9.8 million to help the district recover from the Nov. 30 attack, which claimed the…