The latest from Lansing 1/31/2012

House committee passes more anti-union bills--Call your state representative!

Posted on 01/31/12 at 4:01pm

On a party line vote, the House Oversight, Reform and Ethics Committee passed on Tuesday House Bills 5023-5026, a package of anti-union bills meant to curtail the powers of labor unions:

• HB 5023--fines striking public employees one day's pay and their union $5,000 for each day of the strike, expanding the penalties beyond the current rules that only apply to public school employees.
  
• HB 5024--sets fines and restrictions on members and their unions for mass picketing.
  
• HB 5025--requires an employee's annual written authorization to have their union dues deducted from their paycheck by employers.
  
• HB 5026--eliminates the prohibition against employers advertising for strike breakers.
  

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Nominations due for Human Rights and Excellence Awards

Posted on 01/30/12 at 1:19pm

It's time to recognize outstanding achievement through the 2012 Human Rights and Excellence Awards. The awards honor outstanding programs, performance and service MEA members provide in meeting student needs.

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New data lets districts link student performance to teacher

Posted on 01/30/12 at 1:26pm

Through the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), school districts now have access to data that links students, their courses and the teacher of that course through the Teacher Student Data Link (TSDL). Currently, the data only reflects spring 2011 high school tests.

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'Stoplight' would rate schools under waiver request

Posted on 01/30/12 at 1:30pm

Next month, the Department of Education (MDE) will submit a waiver request that proposes changes to how adequate yearly progress (AYP) is measured in Michigan.

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Read Across America

Posted on 01/30/12 at 10:24am

NEA's Read Across America Day on March 2 is more than just a one-day celebration of reading on Dr. Seuss' birthday. It's an opportunity to focus on an initiative that promotes reading every day.

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