Partnership Agreements Stop School Closures
The state is finalizing partnership agreements expected to keep open almost all of the 38 schools threatened with closure for having low test scores.
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Pension Fight Begins Now—Take Action Today!
We still don’t know the substance of a coming attack on the school employee pension system, but we know it’s coming – and we’ve also learned Republican leaders plan to move quickly once legislation is introduced.
That means we need to be quicker.
We need to start calling and emailing state House and Senate lawmakers NOW to oppose this latest effort.
Closing off new employees to a defined benefit system would cost billions of dollars, leave dedicated educators without a secure retirement, and worsen the growing teacher shortage.
We’ll have a better chance of defeating plans to dismantle MPSERS if we stay on message and share individual stories. Put the arguments above into your own words. Tell your story, and share what’s happening in your family, your town, your region, the state of Michigan. Do it today!
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Sign Sen. Knezek’s Petition on 3% Case
Sen. David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) introduced a resolution late Wednesday demanding Gov. Rick Snyder return money illegally taken from school employees’ paychecks from 2010-12, the subject of a seven-year court battle led by MEA and AFT Michigan.
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Lawsuit Challenges Public Aid for Private Schools
A coalition of education groups is suing the state over a $2.5 million appropriation of tax dollars for private schools.
DetailsLegislators Plan Review of Michigan Merit Curriculum
A three-member Senate subcommittee will review graduation requirements to determine if the Michigan Merit curriculum needs updating.
DetailsContact Reps Today to Oppose Calendar Bargaining Ban
A bill to prohibit school calendar and schedule as a bargaining topic is expected to move from a state House committee this week – it’s time to contact your state representatives, and get parents and other interested community members involved.
DetailsLast Chance to Voice Opinions on ESSA Plan
UPDATE – March 14:
Don’t let the jargon and acronyms scare you away – the big policies behind how schools run in Michigan is under review, and you have two more days to comment on it.
DetailsGovernor’s Education Commission Issues Report
A little more than one year ago, Gov. Rick Snyder announced his plan to form a 21st-Century Education Commission to study ways to improve the state’s education system. Today that group issued its non-binding report.
DetailsMDE Proposes Alternative to School Closures
The 38 schools threatened with closure by the state School Reform Office (SRO) could get a reprieve if they decide to enter into a partnership agreement with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
DetailsFederal Vouchers Bill Unlikely to Advance
Many education advocates have expressed concern about a federal bill, H.R. 610, that would implement a nationwide voucher system and repeal nutrition standards for school lunches. However, NEA leadership is recommending our members not give undue attention to the bill, but remain vigilant about the threats that a Trump/DeVos administration mean for public schools nationwide.
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