Nov62018

Win for Whitmer is Win for Students, Educators

Statement from MEA President Paula Herbart

DETROIT – The following statement can be attributed to MEA President Paula Herbart regarding tonight’s victory by Gretchen Whitmer in the race for Michigan governor:

“Today a few million Michiganders joined tens of millions of Americans across the country in exercising their most fundamental right in a democracy—voting.  We witnessed a “course correction” for Michigan, for our nation and for public education.

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Sep42018

Hearing Thursday on bill freezing testing percentage in evaluation

After months without action, House Bill 5707 – the bipartisan bill that would freeze the percentage of evaluations based on student growth at 25 percent instead of a planned increase to 40 percent – will receive a hearing this Thursday in the House Education Reform Committee. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Aaron Miller (R-Sturgis), addresses one…

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Aug82018

Time Added for Input on Social Studies Standards

Educators have more time and additional opportunities to provide feedback to both the state and MEA on controversial proposed changes to Michigan’s K-12 social studies standards.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has extended the deadline for submitting online comments and added new dates for in-person feedback. In addition, MEA wants your thoughts on the proposed standards to help guide a formal position statement the union will be submitting. Visit MEA’s Action Network page to view the standards and share your feedback with us.

Proposed changes pushed by conservative Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) have sparked criticism and heightened public interest in the debate over what children should learn about history and human society from kindergarten through high school.

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Aug22018

Latest 3% Victory Means More Interest for School Employees – If State Doesn’t Appeal

Last week, Judge Stephen Borrello of the Court of Claims ruled in favor of school employees seeking a higher interest rate for the 3% of their earnings illegally withheld by the state.  That could mean an extra check for school employees who had more than $550 million held during the seven-year legal case – if the state chooses not to appeal Borrello’s ruling in the next few weeks.

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Jun112018

UPDATE: Legislature approved budget and recessed for summer

Update 6/13: On Tuesday, June 12, the Legislature held its final session day prior to the summer break. The education budget passed, as outlined below – including negative language changes impacting partnership schools and districts. Notably on that front, there was recognition by some that the language and structure of the partnership agreement amendments leaves…

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Jun62018

CALL TO ACTION: Evaluation Bills Stalled

Standardized test scores and other student growth measures are poised to take on even greater significance in Michigan classrooms next fall – if state lawmakers fail to act on proposed legislation before adjourning for the summer.

The percentage of a Michigan teacher’s evaluation that is tied to student test scores will jump to 40 percent from 25 percent currently, unless lawmakers pass House Bill 5707 to stop the mandated increase from going into effect next school year.

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