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Report offers ways for making the state a leader in early literacy by 2025

Posted on 06/08/15 at 3:25pm

Increasing the amount of classroom time spent on reading comprehension to 90 minutes of diagnostic-driven, individualized reading instruction per day is just one of the recommendations a Third-Grade Reading Workgroup identified to deal with improving third grade literacy. In March 2015, Gov. Snyder convened the group to identify factors causing third grade students to read below grade level and recommend data-proven solutions.

The goal is to make Michigan a national leader in early literacy by 2025. The issue is important enough that almost $30 million of the $16 billion state education budget is being devoted to a third-grade reading initiative.

Michigan is 40^th in the state rankings of reading proficiency based on national tests, with more than two-thirds of students fail to demonstrate third grade proficiency on standardized reading tests. We are one of only five states continuing to lose ground in reading proficiency from 2003 to 2013, while every other state has improved.

Through their research, the Workgroup found that students who can’t read proficiently by fourth grade won’t be able to catch up, be successful in other academic areas and won’t graduate from high school on time.

     

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MEA helps secure K-12 spending increases, reading program in new budget

Posted on 06/08/15 at 3:19pm

Last week, the Senate and the House approved a $13.9 billion school aid budget that increases K-12 per pupil spending ranging from $70 to $140. The new budget adds a total of $210 million to the K-12 budget for next year, and it’s now on its way to Gov. Snyder for approval.

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MDE looking for info from MEA leaders on future M-STEP scheduling

Posted on 06/08/15 at 3:20pm

The Department of Accountability Services (DAS) Advisory Committee from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has developed a series of focus questions about scheduling for the future administration of M-STEP. Those questions are the basis of their current online survey to determine what changes need to be made to next year’s scheduling of M-STEP. 

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Teacher evaluation bill is on House Education’s agenda this week

Posted on 06/08/15 at 3:34pm

The House Education Committee will be taking up teacher evaluation legislation this week, but the current Senate version still doesn’t provide a teacher evaluation system that is based on research, protects teachers or is a fair process.

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Register now for SLC to become a force for the future

Posted on 06/08/15 at 3:30pm

You have until July 14 to register for MEA’s 2015 Summer Leadership Conference, “Power from the Past—A Force for the Future.” The Conference is scheduled for July 28-30 at Lake Superior State College in Sault Ste. Marie.

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New incoming State Superintendent, Board of Ed. share their strategic plans

Posted on 06/01/15 at 4:05pm

Incoming State Superintendent Brian Whiston shared his draft of a strategic plan to move Michigan to the top five states for education improvement within the next five years. The State Board has a similar draft plan and various education groups are expected to be adding their recommendations at upcoming board meetings.

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Sign up for tips from classroom teachers just like you

Posted on 06/01/15 at 3:52pm

NEA’s Works4ME is a weekly newsletter full of tips and ideas on a variety of topics from classroom teachers across the country.  Sign up is free and you’ll have it delivered right to your inbox. This week, the tips show how to end the school year on a positive note and what you can do now to get ready for the start of school in the fall.

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