My GHEA Rocks!

School funding front and center in an election year

Posted on 03/28/12 at 2:18pm

Spring has sprung.  Election season is underway. And, as usual, politicians are trying to shore up their record by allocating more money for public education.  However, after last year’s massive school budget cuts, voters won’t be tricked this year by politicians who are a day late and a dollar short.
This week, Senate and House Appropriations Committees approved budget changes that provide modest increases in K-12 funding. The Senate K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee increased the foundation allowance by a minimum of $104 per pupil, replaced the MEAP as a measure of student growth and limited Gov. Snyder’s best practices grants. The House Appropriations Subcommittee reported out a bill that eliminates performance funding.
In addition to the $104 increase proposed by the Senate, school districts at the lowest funding level could see a $208 per pupil increase. To fund the increases, the Senate Subcommittee approved moving $95 million of Snyder’s performance-based funding into the foundation allowance, leaving some funds for performance grants. The Subcommittee is also using $177 million of Snyder’s proposed $179 million to help cover MPSERS costs for schools.

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House Democrats sue to restore voters’ voice

Posted on 03/28/12 at 2:21pm

House Democrats have sued House Republicans to force them to recognize their requests for a roll call vote on the immediate effect of bills. House Minority Leader Richard Hammel (D-Mt. Morris Twp.), House Minority Floor Leader Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek), and Reps. Stanley (D-Flint), Meadows (D-East Lansing), Lindberg (D-Marquette) and Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) are plaintiffs in the suit.

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Is getting rid of the MEAP a mistake?

Posted on 03/29/12 at 3:20pm

This week, the Senate K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee finally listened to education experts who have repeatedly said that the MEAP is not an accurate measure of student growth and pulled funding for it in favor of a new computer-adaptive test that would more accurately measure student growth. The new test is expected to cost $18 million as opposed to the $27 million for the MEAP. However, many education experts aren’t so sure this is a wise move.

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Tough times call for tough leaders; apply for LPA

Posted on 03/29/12 at 3:24pm

Times are tough, and strong, active local associations are more important than ever.
Critical to these locals is having well-trained presidents who have the resources, training and time necessary to do the jobs for which they were elected.
MEA is looking for 25 local association presidents to be a part of the MEA Local Presidents Academy (LPA) “Class of 2013.”

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Teacher Day/School Family Day is May 8

Posted on 03/28/12 at 10:51am

Each year schools and communities observe Teacher Day/School Family Day with local celebrations that pay tribute to the contributions school employees make to our communities and to society in general.

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