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August 21, 2019 MEA Highlights Unsettled School Employee Contracts   Collective bargaining in school districts around the state has been hampered by the Legislature’s failure to pass an education budget before leaving for summer break, MEA President Paula Herbart said this week. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 157 unsettled contracts among MEA-affiliated locals across the state. “For the first time this decade, the Legislature failed to enact a K-12 education budget prior to schools’ new fiscal year starting on July 1,” Herbart said. “Without a state budget in place, many contracts aren’t being settled as students and employees return to school. The teachers and education support professionals covered by those contracts deserve better than this financial uncertainty and hardship.” Aside from the uncertainty of returning to work without a contract, additional financial threats are due to provisions of Public Act 54 of 2011, which requires school employees to pay health insurance premium increases 100% out-of-pocket after a contract expires until a new agreement is reached.  P.A. 54 also freezes step increases after a contract has expired and limits retroactive pay when an agreement is eventually reached. Continue reading . . . Herbart Slams Pensions for Potholes Schemes MEA President Paula Herbart used her monthly “Labor Voices” column in The Detroit News to slam various schemes being floated by Republican leaders in the Legislature to bond, restructure, or reamortize the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System. A pension is a promise of a secure retirement, she writes, but too often in Lansing pensions are viewed as a piggy bank to be broken into for political purposes. Add your opposition to risky pensions for potholes schemes—Use our Action Network page to contact your lawmakers today. Continue reading . . . Survey Results Broken Down by Region A survey earlier this year of nearly 17,000 educators by Launch Michigan – a coalition of business, civic, and education leaders – revealed school employees’ attitudes on a range of topics, including professional development, literacy resources, and evaluations. Now those results have been broken down by region. See how perceptions in your area compare to other regions and the state as a whole. MEA President Paula Herbart is a steering committee co-chair of Launch Michigan, which is attempting to bring together diverse stakeholders in the state to develop a shared agenda on goals for public education. August 7, 2019 Say No to Pensions for Potholes During her keynote speech at MEA’s Summer Conference last week, MEA President Paula Herbart blasted the so-called “pensions for potholes” scheme and urged public school employees across the state to raise their voices to oppose the risky shell game. Add your voice today—Contact your lawmakers using our Action Network page! By many accounts, including by some conservative economists like Patrick Anderson, the reckless road funding scheme is irresponsible. Raiding pension funds for road fixes could undermine the retirement of hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents, drive the state deeper into debt, and saddle taxpayers with massive future costs. Republican legislative leaders are considering various plans to bond, restructure, or reamortize the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) to pay for roads. The Legislature left for summer recess in June without passing a budget. Whitmer has proposed a spending plan that would add $500 million in increased education spending along with a weighted funding formula that ensures extra resources go to schools that need it most. Herbart told summer conference goers that lawmakers need to make school funding a priority and stop playing shell games with our students’ future. “Let me be crystal clear. MEA will oppose any efforts to bond, borrow, delay payments, re-amortize or otherwise underfund our pension system to pay for road repairs. All these amount to the same thing – schemes that put the health of our pension system at risk for current and future school retirees.” Visit our Action Network page to learn more and contact your lawmaker in opposition.  Educator-Turned-Lawmaker Says You Can Too Serving as a state representative isn’t much different from being an elementary school teacher, according to educator-turned-lawmaker Lori Stone (D-Warren), who told her story to attendees at MEA’s Summer Conference last week. The 14-year classroom veteran and MEA member said every legislative session starts with the pledge of allegiance. Seats are assigned. “And I still work on evenings, weekends, and over summer break. I consider myself a professional problem solver.” Stone won her 28th District House seat last November after defeating an incumbent during the Democratic primary last August. She encouraged other educators to claim a seat at the table. “If you are tired of asking others’ permission or help, or feel ignored or dismissed or disappointed, we need to build each other up,” Stone told the crowd of hundreds of MEA leaders and members attending the annual conference. “You need to encourage yourself and your colleagues to run.” This October, MEA members thinking of running for office will have easy access to high-quality, free information to help them navigate the process. NEA’s See Educators Run program, a non-partisan training opportunity, is coming to Detroit from Oct. 4-6. The program is open to NEA members and their immediate families. The trainings are free and include travel, hotel and meals. They run from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, so no classroom substitutes are required to attend. The program aims to give educators – regardless of political party – the tools to raise money, communicate effectively, recruit volunteers, and run a campaign for school board up to state-level office. For more information or to apply to attend, visit www.SeeEducatorsRun.org. As a third-generation educator, Stone said she decided to seek office after witnessing firsthand the effects of bad policy-making as students’ needs grew. “I watched as the news vilified and blamed teachers for factors beyond their control, and I watched attacks on pay, benefits, and retirement that had made pursuing a career in education a worthwhile endeavor.” In last November’s election, five MEA members won election to the state House and Senate. “It’s great having a voice at the table,” she added. Your voluntary contributions to MEA PAC and the NEA Fund help elect friends of public education.  Contribute Today!

Can't see the images? View as webpage May 10, 2019 RSVP Today for June #RedForEd Rallies   An RSVP form is now available for the June #RedForEd rallies. As MEA President Paula Herbart announced last month, MEA and AFT Michigan are working together to hold these events so lawmakers can hear the voices of public education supporters from across Michigan to support increasing funding for our students and schools. On Tuesday, June 18, we’ll gather at the Lansing Center starting at 10 a.m., with a march to the Capitol stepping off around 11 a.m.  The rally program will start at noon, followed by lobbying activities.  For those who may still be in school on the 18th, another event is planned for the following Tuesday, June 25, so we can keep the pressure on lawmakers.  That day, we’ll begin gathering on the Capitol lawn at 11 a.m. with program at noon and lobby activities to follow.  Please RSVP today for one or both events! Together, we can make the case to lawmakers to Value Students, Respect Educators, and Fund Our Schools. Please encourage others to attend, including fellow school employees, parents, administrators and anyone else in our communities who values public education.  Share this flyer and encourage supporters to visit www.mea.org/redfored to learn more and to RSVP for the rallies.  Between now and then, we need to make the case with the public for education funding increases with #RedForEd Reality Checks – learn how you can help. Governor Signs Bill Forgiving Polar Vortex Emergency Days Friday afternoon, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 4206, which allows schools to forgo making up days from this winter’s record-cold emergency days.  In particular, up to four days declared as a state of emergency between Jan. 29 and Feb. 2, 2019, can be requested by districts to the Michigan Department of Education to count as student instructional time for this year only.  The exact language enacted can be viewed here. While MEA supports Gov. Whitmer’s enactment of this bill, we remain concerned about the impact of this new law on hourly employees who could lose pay because these days are not made up. “The fact is, school districts don’t need the Legislature to tell them what is right – they can make that choice for themselves,” MEA President Paula Herbart said in a news release last week. “With this legislation, districts will be receiving the same level of funding they were otherwise expecting – which means they have the money to pay these hourly workers what they would have made, without any budgetary impact. MEA is calling on all school districts to do the right thing for these workers and their families.” In that release, MEA shared a draft letter of agreement that districts can enter into with their employees to pay them for these newly forgiven days. New MTOY: How Can I Help the Profession? Every Michigan Teacher of the Year brings personal passions to the role as spokesperson for the state’s educators. The latest top teacher, crowned this week, sums up her mission in two words: professional revitalization. MEA member Cara Lougheed, an English teacher at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Community Schools, said after learning of her selection as the 2019-20 MTOY that she will continue to do all she can to lift the profession so more great educators join its ranks. “We do a lot to take great care of kids, but if we’re not taking care of the adults there’s going to be no one to take care of the kids,” Lougheed said. The 20-year veteran began pursuing that passion in recent years through her appointment as a liaison at Oakland University, where she pairs student teachers with professional mentors from four schools in her district. Her work in the OU program led to Lougheed’s appointment to a “congress” of the state’s higher education administrators, professors, and education thought leaders who were developing a set of high-leverage core teaching practices that should be taught in teacher preparation programs. “These are the baseline of what every good teacher would need to be successful,” Lougheed said of the core practices now adopted and under implementation at several colleges and universities which are part of the Michigan Program Network. “They’re listening to us at the college level,” she said. On a smaller scale, Lougheed enjoys getting to know the new hires in her building and checking in on them periodically to make sure they’re OK. “I like going and finding out who the new person is. It’s hard being a new teacher in a new building.” Involvement in the union has also provided Lougheed opportunities to advocate for educators. She is chair of the MEA’s Communications Committee and serves as a Michigan delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly. Continue reading . . . Whitmer Names Appointees to Educator Advisory Council Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday announced 15 appointees to a new Educator Advisory Council (EAC) charged with making recommendations on education-related policy matters. Eight MEA members were named to the new panel. They include: Angela J. Pérez of Muskegon, an elementary Spanish two-way immersion teacher with Muskegon Public Schools. Anthony M. Greenburg of Lansing, a professor of college preparatory English at Lansing Community College: The Early College and a member of the Michigan Early and Middle College Association Teacher Leader Network. Margaret Lincoln of Ceresco, the Lakeview District librarian for Lakeview Public Schools and a member of the Michigan Association for Media in Education, American Library Association, and American Association of School Librarians. Cathy Longstreet of Hastings, a counselor with Hasting High School, chair of the K-12 Counseling Department, and an instructor at Michigan College Access Network’s school counselor post-secondary planning course. Benedict L. Pineda of Lansing, a middle school social studies, life skills, drama and speech teacher with Haslett Public Schools and a former adult education teacher with Holt Public Schools. Ruth J.L. Ryynanen of Chassell, an English teacher at Houghton High School in Houghton-Portage Township Schools, the chair of the English Department and head coach of the Houghton High School girls golf team. She is the chair and co-founder of Right Start UP non-profit organization. Gregory Talbert of Williamston, an AP psychology, U.S. government, social issues, and sociology teacher with Howell Public Schools and the former president of Williamston Community Schools Board of Education. Laura Chang of Scotts, an instructional consultant, academic coach and interventionist at Sunset Lake and Tobey Lake Elementary Schools of Vicksburg Community Schools. Read more. .  Your voluntary contributions to MEA PAC and the NEA Fund help elect friends of public education.  Contribute Today! Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Can't see the images? View as webpage May 2, 2019 MEA calls on governor to sign “snow day” bill – and on schools to do right by hourly workers In a news release today, MEA called on Gov. Whitmer to sign the newly passed HB 4206,  which will allow schools to forgo making up days from this winter’s record-cold emergency days.  However, President Paula Herbart also called on school districts to do the right thing and pay hourly employees for lost wages for these newly forgiven days. “The fact is, school districts don’t need the Legislature to tell them what is right– they can make that choice for themselves,” Herbart said. “With this legislation, districts will be receiving the same level of funding they were otherwise expecting – which means they have the money to pay these hourly workers what they would have made, without any budgetary impact. MEA is calling on all school districts to do the right thing for these workers and their families.” While some hourly employees are paid for days when school is called off for weather and other emergencies, others are not.  With some districts experiencing more than 20 snow days this winter, that could mean weeks of lost pay. Language that would have required hourly school employees be paid for these extra emergency days was stripped from the bill by Senate leadership.  To help employees financially impacted by HB 4206, MEA has developed a draft letter of agreement that would make hourly workers whole for the time not being made up – and will be working with districts to adopt that LOA as soon as possible. Read more. . . One-year delay signed into law for evaluation testing percentage increase On Tuesday, Gov. Whitmer signed into law SB 122, which delays for one year the increase in test score data in evaluation from 25% to 40%. In a press release Whitmer said, “As I continue to visit schools across the state, nearly every educator says the same thing: they are forced to spend more time on testing than actually teaching their students how to learn. We know that test scores are only one piece of the puzzle and not the whole story. I’ve put forth a real solution in the budget to boost student performance, and I look forward to working with the legislature to get it done.” While a one-year delay is not the permanent solution MEA was advocating for, it does provide a window of opportunity to address the serious problems with evaluation system (as outlined in the recent edition of the MEA Voice magazine).  As President Paula Herbart said in MEA’s release last weekabout the passage of SB 122, “Based on feedback about evaluations from front-line educators, this delay only keeps a big problem from getting worse. We look forward to working with the governor and legislators from both parties to fix this system so it helps deliver the highest quality education for every student.” Latest NEA data on teacher salaries provides another #RedForEd Reality Check   This week, NEA released this year’s edition of its Rankings and Estimates report, a well-respected and anticipated national “by-the-numbers” look at public education.  This year’s data continues to tell a scary story about the state of educator pay in Michigan: After adjusting for inflation, average teacher salaries in the United States have fallen by 4.5% over the last decade.  Over the same period and with the same adjustment, average Michigan teacher salaries have fallen by 12% – fourth worst in the nation. The average starting teacher salary nationwide in 2017-18 was $39,172, up 1.44% compared to the previous year.  However, in Michigan, the average starting salary was $36,309, up just .8% from the prior year. Michigan ranks 32nd in starting salary. Nationwide, 37% of districts have a starting salary of at least $40,000.  In Michigan, just 12% of districts hit that level.  This salary data lines up with other research from MSU, which shows Michigan is last in the nation for education funding increases over the past 25 years, and the School Finance Research Collaborative’s study which concluded Michigan’s schools are underfunded by at least $2,000 per pupil. All this points to the critical need for Gov. Whitmer’s proposed education funding increases to become law.  That’s why MEA is engaged in our #RedForEd plans, including sharing Reality Checks with the general public.  Learn more about these efforts – which lead up to events at the Capitol in June – and what you can do to help at www.mea.org/redfored.

Can't see the images? View as webpage April 24, 2019 SB 122 – delaying testing percentage increase in evaluations – heads to House floor The House Education and Ways & Means Committees have sent Senate Bill 122 to the floor for final action as soon as tomorrow. This bill, passed by the Senate two weeks ago, would delay for one year the implementation of an increase in the percentage of teacher evaluation based on student growth data. Along with companion legislation – SB 202, which does the same for administrator evaluation – the bill would mean that the percentage would remain at 25 percent for the current school year instead of increasing to 40 percent. While a delay isn’t the permanent solution MEA has been advocating for, President Paula Herbart said in a news release, “A one-year pause on the proposed changes could provide an opportunity to make significant improvements that move teacher evaluation from a punitive process to one that helps to improve teaching and learning.” Please contact your State Representative today – urge a YES vote on this legislation to keep the increase from taking effect this school year and provide time for real changes to the evaluation system. WATCH YOUR MAILBOX for the latest edition of the MEA Voice magazine that cover the issues around the evaluation system in-depth – or you can read the package online. No action yet in Senate on snow days The State Senate has yet to act on legislation addressing this winter’s large number of “snow days,” including the days off school because of the state of emergency declared due to January’s polar vortex. Last week, the House passed House Bill 4206 to address the issue, while the Senate Education Committee reported out SB 113. The differing legislation needs to be worked out by the Legislature quickly to allow schools time to adjust calendars accordingly. Contact your State Senator today to urge they take action as soon as possible. ICYMI: #RedForEd for School Funding On Monday, MEA President Paula Herbart announced new #RedForEd efforts to help secure much needed education funding increases for Michigan students. The plan includes local “#RedForEd Reality Checks” leading up to events at the state Capitol scheduled in June, just before the Legislature leaves for summer recess. Learn more at www.mea.org/RedForEd. Input period open for latest revisions to social studies standards After public outcry last year derailed changes to Michigan’s social studies standards, a new round of revisions are now headed for public comment after action by the State Board of Education. Go to MDE’s website to review the newly suggested changes (including comparisons to both the original standards and last year’s proposal), find a public hearing near you during the next two weeks, or submit online comments thru Thursday, May 9. Your voluntary contributions to MEA PAC and the NEA Fund help elect friends of public education.  Contribute Today!

Can't see the images? View as webpage April 19, 2019 Snow Day Bill Moves to Senate A bill that would forgive Michigan school districts from making up school days cancelled when the governor declares a state of emergency passed the state House this week. HB 4206 now heads to the Senate, where we need to urge approval as soon as possible next week. State law currently provides six snow days per year, and districts can apply to receive a waiver from the state Superintendent for an additional three days. Many districts this year have experienced many additional snow days. In addition, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency during extreme cold weather in January which prompted additional closures. Continue reading . . . A Push for Post-Secondary Education MEA Vice President Chandra Madafferi on Thursday joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and a bipartisan group of lawmakers and state business and education leaders in support of House and Senate bills creating the MI Opportunity Scholarship and Michigan Reconnect Program. Opportunities abound for students and adults who complete skills certification training or obtain community college or university degrees, but not enough people can access those pathways today, Madafferi said during the event at Lansing Community College. “Everyone in Michigan, no matter where they come from, deserves to know that they can get ahead here in our state,” she said. “The MI Opportunity Scholarship and Michigan Reconnect Program are exactly what we need to ensure all of our students can get a good job so they can support themselves and their families here in our state.” Continue reading . . . Urge Action on Evaluation Bill   The state Senate has passed a one-year delay on a scheduled increase in the percentage of student test data included in teacher evaluations. Contact your state representative to urge passage of SB 122. Student growth as a percentage of evaluations increased this year from 25 percent to 40 percent. Passage of this legislation would provide a window to make significant changes that moves teacher evaluation from a punitive process to one that helps improve teaching and learning. MEA President Paula Herbart addressed problems in the teacher evaluation system in her latest “Labor Voices” column in The Detroit Newson Wednesday. At the same time, MEA issued a press release calling on lawmakers in the state House to take swift action to pass SB 122. Contact your state Representative and ask for them to approve SB 122 as soon as possible. Apply to Governor’s Advisory Council The deadline for applying to be a member of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s newly announced Educator Advisory Council was extended to this Monday, April 22, due to a website outage last weekend. To apply, go to www.michigan.gov/appointments -> Boards and Commissions -> Apply Now -> Continue with application. Be sure to choose Educator Advisory Council from the dropdown menu on the third page of the application. The 15-member advisory council will make recommendations to Whitmer on education policies. Read more about the council.

Can't see the images? View as webpage April 10, 2019 Senate passes one-year freeze on evaluation testing increase On Wednesday, the State Senate unanimously passed SB 122, which delays for one year the implementation of an increase in the percentage of teacher evaluation based on student growth data.  Along with companion legislation – SB 202 , which does the same for administrator evaluation – the bill would mean that the percentage would remain at 25 percent for the current school year instead of increasing to 40 percent. This delay isn’t the permanent solution we’re looking for – but frankly, permanently freezing at 25 percent only keeps a broken system from getting worse.  Passage of this legislation, which now heads to the State House, would provide a window to make significant changes that moves teacher evaluation from a punitive process to one that helps improve teaching and learning. The recent Launch Michigan educator survey showed great dissatisfaction with the current system, and the upcoming MEA Voice magazine (landing in homes starting next weekend) shares the many stories about the system’s failures. Please contact your State Representative today and urge immediately passage of this legislation to keep the increase from taking effect this school year and provide time for real changes to the evaluation system. Snow days legislation heads to House floor The House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday amended legislation providing additional snow days for schools due to this year’s extreme weather, sending the bill to the House floor for consideration. HB 4206, which would permanently waive days that schools are closed during a state of emergency declared by the governor, passed out of the House Education Committee in March without language that would hold hourly employees harmless in terms of lost pay for those days.  Wednesday’s amendment complicates matters for some of those employees, allowing districts that have missed more than 14 days to add time to existing school days to make up time this year only, instead of adding full days. MEA understands that the impacts of this legislation are different for different employee groups – and there is a need for quick resolution to this issue to make schedule changes for the end of the school year.  We continue to believe that the bill should be amended to help hourly employees who are being hurt financially by the large number of snow days in many districts – MEA will work to get them amended on the House floor and in the Senate as they move forward. Contact your lawmakers today and urge them to make that important change and quickly address snow day legislation. Your voluntary contributions to MEA PAC and the NEA Fund help elect friends of public education.  Contribute Today!

Can't see the images? View as webpage April 1, 2019 Pause to Contact Your Lawmakers Now is a good time to contact your lawmakers to make your voice heard on the need to increase education funding in Michigan. The Legislature is on break through next Tuesday, April 9, and lawmakers often conduct coffee hours and other constituent outreach during this time. Meanwhile, the state budget is being worked out over the next few months, and it will be important to build strong and vocal community support in your area for increased education spending after years of disinvestment. Check to see if your representative and senator are holding coffee hours, and drop in on one if you can. Call or send an email. Tell your story—what would additional funding mean for students and schools in your area? Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made more than a dozen stops to schools in March to sell her plan to rebuild schools and infrastructure with major new investment. “We can fill potholes by stealing from the School Aid Fund, or we can put an honest solution on the table,” she told an audience in Jackson that stayed after school to hear her presentation. ​Continue reading . . . U.S. Senate Approves ESP Award Last week the U.S. Senate approved legislation that provides long-overdue recognition for the outstanding contributions of education support professionals and classified school employees to the nation’s public schools and the students they serve. The Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act (H.R. 276) directs the U.S. Secretary of Education to establish a national award program recognizing the excellence exhibited by public school system employees who provide services to students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The measure passed the U.S. House a few weeks ago and now heads to the president for a signature. ​NEA has led the fight for this legislation for 10 years and already annually recognizes such educators with its prestigious Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year award. “Education support professionals are an integral part of the nation’s public education system and the more than 50 million students it serves,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García. “They often are the first in the building and the last to leave. They promote student achievement, ensure student safety, and contribute to the establishment and promotion of a positive instructional environment every day.” There are almost 3 million classified education support employees in our nation’s public schools, colleges, and universities and they make up one-third of the public education workforce. Of NEA’s 3 million members, almost 500,000 are Education Support Professionals represented in the following nine career families: Clerical services Custodial and maintenance services Food services Health and student services Paraeducators Security services Skilled trade services Technical services Transportation services Your voluntary contributions to MEA PAC and the NEA Fund help elect friends of public education.  Contribute Today! Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Can't see the images? View as webpage March 18, 2019 Speak up on Evaluation, Snow Day Bills In this last week before state lawmakers head into a two-week spring break, bills that would impact teacher evaluation and snow day waivers could be discussed in committees this week. Make your voice heard with your state representative and senator on HB 4221 which would return the percentage of an educator’s annual evaluation that is tied to student growth measures to 25 percent from 40 percent. Read more about the legislation, and tell your story to urge lawmakers to pass this long overdue legislation. Evaluation is scheduled to be a topic on the agenda for both the House and Senate Education Committees this week. In addition, a bill that would permanently waive days that schools are closed during a state of emergency declared by the governor passed out of the Education Committee last week — without language that would hold hourly employees harmless in terms of lost pay for those days. HB 4206 has been sent to the House Ways and Means committee for further review. Please contact your legislators and urge them to pass this legislation with protections for hourly employees, who have lost significant amounts of pay due to this winter’s extreme weather.

Can't see the images? View as webpage March 5, 2019 Whitmer Urges ‘Bold Investment’ with Budget Proposal Michigan’s K-12 public schools would receive a $120-180 per-pupil boost in funding, plus additional aid to support the costlier needs of at-risk, special education, and career/technical students, under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s first state budget proposal released today. The governor’s spending blueprint follows the recommendations of several recent studies which examined Michigan’s school funding system and found a chasm between the per-pupil foundation grant and the true costs of educating a child. The plan Whitmer unveiled before a joint session of the state House and Senate Appropriations committees today would increase K-12 education spending by $507 million in the next fiscal year— “the biggest investment in the education of kids in Michigan in a generation,” she told lawmakers. An interactive map released by the state Budget Office shows the district-by-district per-pupil impact of Whitmer’s proposed “weighted” funding formula.  In addition, the governor reaffirmed her commitment to increasing the number of residents who hold post-secondary degrees or skills certification by funding programs to retrain adult workers and to guarantee two years of debt-free community college or university for qualifying students starting in 2021. Read more . . . Follow Snow Day, Teacher Evaluation Bills HB 4206 to permanently waive days that schools are closed during a state of emergency declared by the governor got a hearing today in the House Education Committee. The bill could get voted on by the committee next week. Read more about the legislation. HB 4221 to return the percentage of an educator’s annual evaluation that is tied to student growth measures to 25 percent from 40 percent is expected to get a hearing in the House Education Committee next week. Read more about the legislation.  Please take time today to contact your lawmakers and urge them to pass this long overdue legislation.

Can't see the images? View as webpage February 27, 2019 Urge Legislators to Act on Reintroduced Evaluation Bills A bill to reduce the weight of student test scores in teacher evaluations has been reintroduced in the Michigan Legislature, along with a few other evaluation-related measures that failed to pass in the last legislative session. HB 4221, introduced by Rep. Julie Alexander (R-Hanover), would return the percentage of an educator’s annual evaluation that is tied to student growth measures to 25 percent, a change that MEA has pressed for more than a year. That number rose to 40 percent this year in an automatic bump that was built into the evaluation overhaul passed in 2015. In December, this change passed the State House with overwhelming bipartisan support but the bill died in the State Senate at the end of Lame Duck. Please take time today to contact your lawmakers and urge them to pass this long overdue legislation. Continue reading . . . Snow Day Debate Underway in Lansing With districts across the state at – or well beyond – the allowed number of snow days, lawmakers are beginning to debate allowing additional days, especially given the historic “polar vortex” that hit the Lower Peninsula last month. Rep. Ben Frederick (R-Owosso) has introduced HB 4206, which aims to permanently waive days when schools are closed because of a state of emergency declared by the governor.  Most of the state experienced four such days during record cold temperatures at the end of January.Lawmakers from both parties, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, have voiced support for taking some kind of action related to the record cold days causing schools to be closed.  The only way to get additional “snow days” granted is via the legislative process.  MEA is working with lawmakers to ensure those changes make sense in the long haul – balancing the need for time in school with student and staff safety. ​MEA is also concerned about the impact waiving these days will have on hourly employees who were not paid when schools were closed.  If the days were made up, those employees – often part-time, lower-wage support staff – would make that up in later paychecks, but if the days are waived, some school districts could choose to pocket that money. MEA intends to continue advocating for those employees as legislative discussions continue. HB 4206 has been assigned to the House Education Committee, where it could be taken up as soon as next week.  Stay tuned for more developments. Bill to Cut WorkKeys Test Passes Committee Michigan’s high school juniors would have one less standardized test to take each spring, under legislation that passed out of the House Education Committee on Tuesday. HB 4162 would eliminate the ACT WorkKeys career readiness test from the Michigan Merit Examination required of juniors, which also includes the SAT and the M-STEP science and social studies assessments. Advocates for the change say the skills tested in the WorkKeys assessment overlap with other required tests, and eliminating it would save time and money and reduce stress on students.

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February 13, 2019 Whitmer Makes Education a Priority Gov. Gretchen Whitmer listed education funding along with fixing roads and other infrastructure as the top two priorities facing Michigan policymakers during her first State of the State address on Tuesday night. Everyone can see the terrible condition of the state’s roads, and the average motorist spends $562 per year in car repairs from damage related to crumbling streets and highways – a “road tax that doesn’t even fix the damn roads,” Whitmer said. Less visible is the education crisis confronting Michigan, although numerous studies from a variety of sources in recent years have documented parallels between stagnant or falling student performance indicators and our state’s worst-in-nation school funding decline. Michigan ranks dead last among all states for per-pupil school funding increases since 1994. And over the past 15 years, Michigan students have shown the least improvement in the only assessment directly comparable state-to-state, the National Assessment of Educational Progress. “Let’s be clear,” Whitmer said. “This is not happening because Michigan kids are less talented. It’s not happening because our kids are less motivated. It’s not happening because our educators are less dedicated. It’s happening because generations of leadership have failed them.” Continue reading . . . MDE News: Computer Science Standards, Superintendent Search Computer Science  The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is seeking public comment on proposed K-12 Computer Science (CS) academic standards for Michigan students. Those who are interested may view Michigan’s proposed first-ever CS Standards and take an online public comment survey through Feb. 20. The last of several in-person feedback forums was scheduled for tonight in Wayne County, but was cancelled due to weather. State Superintendent  The State Board of Education is accepting applications for a new state superintendent to replace Brian Whiston, who died last spring. The state superintendent is responsible for the day-to-day management, supervision, and leadership of the Michigan Department of Education. The state board hired an executive search firm to conduct the search. The deadline for submitting an application is March 11, after which time the board will determine finalists and conduct interviews. Following last November’s election, the eight-member state board tilts toward Democratic control by a 6-2 margin.

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Can't see the images? View as webpage January 9, 2019 Recap of Lame Duck Legislative Action The 2018 Lame Duck session is in the books and while some negative legislation passed, many of the significant attacks on public education, labor unions and the incoming Democratic administration were either stopped in the Legislature or vetoed by outgoing Gov. Rick Snyder. Of note: • HB 5707, which would have kept the percentage of teacher evaluations at 25 percent instead of increasing to 40 percent this school year, died in the State Senate after passing the House. MEA will work to have this legislation reintroduced and passed in 2019. • Watered-down legislation creating an A-F grading system for schools (HB 5526) passed, but left much of the control for the new system in the hands of the Michigan Department of Education, rather than creating a new “shadow” school board.  MDE has already asked Attorney General Nessel to weigh in on how this new law may conflict with federal rules under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). • New online sales tax revenue was diverted from the School Aid Fund to road and environmental projects under late-night amendments to HB 4991.  NOTE: this is NOT a cut to current per pupil funding – the additional funding from the online sales tax had not been appropriated yet and is not part of this year’s budgeted state school aid payments. However, it IS money that should have gone into the School Aid Fund to allow for increases in coming years. • Bills attacking labor rights – including release time (SB 795-796), recertification elections (SB 1260), and banning bargaining over calendar and schedule (HB 4163) – were all stopped in the Legislature, thanks in large part to the thousands of calls and emails from MEA members to lawmakers. • Several bills attempting to limit the power of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson were either stopped in the Legislature or were vetoed by Gov. Snyder in the final days of his term. For a complete status rundown of the bills that MEA lobbyists were monitoring in Lame Duck, read MEA’s Lame Duck Recap memo. Attend Whitmer Winter Warm-Ups in Detroit and Flint on Saturday To ensure all Michiganders get the experience the excitement of the inauguration of the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration, four “Whitmer Winter Warm-Ups” are planned for early 2019, including the first two this Saturday in Detroit and Flint. Learn more and RSVP at michigantransition.org/inauguration– Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist will be at both events. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new or gently used book to be donated to a Michigan child in need. Upcoming events are also planned in Grand Rapids on Saturday, Jan. 26, and Marquette on Saturday, Feb. 16. Show #RedForEd Solidarity with California Colleagues on Friday In support of colleagues in the United Teachers Los Angeles and Oakland Education Association, the California Teachers Association has asked other NEA members across the country to wear #RedForEd this Friday in a show of solidarity. Learn more about UTLA and OEA’s efforts to join together and fight for the public schools all students deserve at californiaeducator.org/redfored. Your voluntary contributions to MEA PAC and the NEA Fund help elect friends of public education.  Contribute Today!

Can't see the images? View as webpage December 21, 2018 Lame Duck 2018 OVER We are pleased to report that, just after 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, the Legislature adjourned, ending the 2018 Lame Duck session.   While we certainly had some losses, including the School Aid Fund raid executed overnight (see below), of note the Legislature took no final action on union release time, union recertification elections, exclusive representation, or broader threats to collective bargaining. Other than the A-F bill (which was seriously watered down) and the loss of a potential $95 per pupil for next year (which wouldn’t have made much of a dent in the nearly $2,000 per pupil shortfall – an issue about which we’ll be working hard with our new governor over the coming months), MEA survived Lame Duck without significant damage…something difficult to imagine 4 weeks ago as we faced a true lame duck legislature and the political power shifts coming out of the election. This Lame Duck saw nearly 400 bills pass and head to the governor for signature – many of which the governor has not signed yet. Between now and the New Year, we’ll be monitoring which bills become law and which may be vetoed as Snyder heads for the exits, including the few executive power grab bills that did pass this past week. As President Herbart said in her Detroit News column on Wednesday, “[Snyder] can choose to listen to the voices of millions of voters – or bow to the vengeful wishes of defeated politicians tearing down our democratic institutions on their way out the door. The state is watching, and history will remember.” After the holiday break, we will do a more in-depth analysis of the bills that do become law related to education and labor issues – but with nearly 400 bills to wade through, that will take some time to complete. For now, we want to thank all our members who took the time to contact lawmakers this month. We know the calls and emails may feel like they don’t work, but they absolutely make a difference in our ability to stop (or improve) bad legislation. THANK YOU to everyone who helped mobilize our members to be part of the fight for our students, our schools and our profession! School Aid Tax Shift Passes in Late Night Session Just prior to 2 a.m., the State House barely passed HB 4991, a bill which was used to move a Lame Duck raid of School Aid Fund tax revenue in favor of increased funding for road and environmental projects. The Senate concurred on the amended bill, and both chambers acted early this morning on a supplemental appropriations bill to spend this and other surplus revenue before the new Whitmer administration can propose a new budget. The bill reduces the amount of income tax earmarked for the School Aid Fund to offset increased revenue from the online sales tax that goes directly to the SAF. Similar to the shell game where Lottery revenue goes to schools only to allow other revenue to flow elsewhere, this measure would reduce the revenue in the SAF available to fund K-12 schools. This is NOT a cut to current per pupil funding – the additional funding from the online sales tax had not been appropriated yet and is not part of this year’s budgeted state school aid payments. However, it IS money that should have gone into the School Aid Fund to allow for increases in coming years. The bill includes an amendment that would “hold harmless” the current overall level of school funding if revenues fall below projections. However, in a textbook example of late night Lame Duck legislating, a proposed three-year sunset on the legislation morphed into a sunset on the hold harmless language – not the tax shift. In the end, the lost revenue could have translated to per pupil increases of $95 in 2018-19, $117 in 2019-20 and $120 in 2020-21. While those amounts would not have closed the nearly $2,000 shortfall in per pupil funding identified by the School Finance Research Collaborative, this legislation yet again prioritizes funding other projects over the education of Michigan’s children. We will be hard at work with the incoming Whitmer administration to address our broken school funding system and ensure our students get the adequate funding they deserve. Thanks to all the MEA members who contacted lawmakers to oppose this tax shift, which passed in the House with the bare majority of votes needed. The pressure from back home made this a difficult vote for legislators to take, and prompted strong remarks from opponents, including Republican Rep. Martin Howrylak of Troy, who remarked on the floor about the unwise nature of the legislation and the amendment sunsetting the hold harmless provision. Howrlyak initially sponsored the original version of HB 4991, but had his name stripped as a sponsor (along with several other colleagues) when the bill was used as a vehicle for the tax shift.

Can't see the images? View as webpage December 19, 2018 Lame Duck Waddles to Last Day Act now on latest funding raid and union release time Both the House and Senate adjourned early on Wednesday (by Lame Duck standards) without any action on issues MEA is monitoring.  Thursday, the last scheduled day of session for the year, promises to be a long day/evening. Your contacts to legislators have been a huge help in stopping many bills from moving throughout Lame Duck.  Please take the time to contact lawmakers on two key remaining issues that may see action on Thursday: 1) New Raid Proposed on School Aid Fund Michigan’s School Aid Fund should be getting $180 million in new funding from online sales tax revenue – but a new proposal would divert that money away from schools to road and environmental projects. The loss of these new funds – which would work out to about $120 per student – misses an opportunity to close the nearly $2,000 per pupil gap in K-12 funding determined by the School Finance Research Collaborative’s adequacy study. MEA has produced charts showing the potential funding lost for school districts given current pupil counts – and have calculated how much that means in every State House and State Senate district. Contact your legislator and share those district figures with them – urge them to vote against this new funding scheme. 2) Keep Union Release Time Bills from Passing in House SB 795-796, which aim to eliminate union release time for public employees, remain on the House floor. By banning public employee union officials from representing their members and collaborating with administrators during normal business hours, it will be harder for working people to negotiate a fair return on our work, with strong wages and good benefits. These shortsighted bills will cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and make state and local government less efficient and less effective. Your contacts have kept these bills at bay in the House so far – make one more contact to your State Representative today to urge they remain opposed to SB 795-796..

Can't see the images? View as webpage December 19, 2018 Lame Duck Day 10 Update – 12/18  The fourth (and hopefully final) week of Lame Duck is underway, with legislation mandating letter grading for schools narrowly winning passage in the Senate, a new drain on School Aid Fund dollars being promoted, and rekindled consideration of new education savings accounts that again try to move public money to private entities. Senate Passes A-F Bill HB 5526, a bill requiring an A-F grading system for Michigan public schools, passed the State Senate last night, after Gov. Snyder helped lobby for key votes among Senate Republicans. The bill passed despite opposition from the Michigan Department of Education, which warned prior to the vote that the proposed system might violate the federal “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA) and threaten Michigan’s federal education funding. While more analysis is forthcoming from MEA about the details of the legislation, it’s important to note that this bill is a vast improvement from an earlier version in Lame Duck.  While this is still a bad bill that doesn’t help Michigan students or schools, it no longer contains a new commission to oversee the system that’s unaccountable to the incoming State Board and Governor. MDE retains control over the system and we will work with them (and anyone else willing to work on the issue) to use this system to truly support struggling schools. New Raid Proposed on School Aid Fund Michigan’s School Aid Fund should be getting $180 million in new funding from online sales tax revenue – but a new proposal would divert that money away from schools to road and environmental projects. The loss of these new funds – which would work out to about $120 per student – misses an opportunity to close the nearly $2,000 per pupil gap in K-12 funding determined by the School Finance Research Collaborative’s adequacy study. MEA has produced charts showing the potential funding lost for school districts given current pupil counts – and have calculated how much that means in every State House and State Senate district.  Contact your legislator and share those district figures with them – urge them to vote against this new funding scheme. Long-Dormant Bills on Education Savings Accounts May See Movement A package of bills that passed the Senate over a year ago may have new life, as rumor is the House will consider SBs 544-548, which would create an expensive new government bureaucracy to fund pay-to-play public school services and extracurricular fees through parent savings plans.  The plan also could represent a slippery slope towards additional public money making its way to private entities.  Read more about the legislation and contact your State Representative to oppose SBs 544-548. Release Time Bill Still Pending in House Please continue to contact your State Representatives to oppose the bills that would ban union release time – learn more and take action here. MEA President Urges Snyder to Stand Up for Democracy This year’s lame duck legislative session has stood out for its disgraceful attacks on democracy and attempts to flout the will of Michigan voters. In a Dec. 19 “Labor Voices” column in The Detroit News, MEA President Paula Herbart called on Gov. Rick Snyder to listen to the people. Read Herbart’s column.

Can't see the images? View as webpage December 13, 2018 Stop union recertification attack in the Senate  Thursday might be the last day the State Senate can act on SB 1260, proposed last week to require union members to vote every two years to recertify as a union.  The bill would mandate that unions pay for these elections in the fall of even numbered years – even though there’s already a process in place for members of a bargaining unit to initiate an election to leave a union if they wish to do so.                                         This legislation serves only one purpose: undermining the ability of the union to defend our freedoms and the contract.​  It would force unions to spend time and money on constant elections rather than on protecting workers and their rights.  Please contact your State Senator TODAY and urge them to vote against this legislation.                                                              If the Senate doesn’t pass the bill today, additional session days would have to be added for the bill to be considered by the State House under legislative rules. House-Passed Evaluation and A-F Bills Send Mixed Testing Signals In a late night session – which followed a candlelight vigil attended by more than 100 educators from across the state – the State House passed bills related to A-F rating of schools and the percentage of standardized test data included in teacher evaluations.  Read more about the vigil and Wednesday night’s legislative action. One of these bills – HB 5707, which would keep the percentage of a teacher's evaluation based on student growth data from standardized tests at 25% instead of a planned increase to 40% for this school year – would decrease the stakes on tests. On the other hand, HB 5526 – which mandates an A-F grading system for schools – would increase those stakes. These two bills send mixed signals about the direction we should take with standardized testing in Michigan.  But educators and parents agree – we need to de-emphasize these tests and the time they take away from student learning, not ratchet up the stakes. We need your help contacting the State Senate to send a clear message that higher stakes on tests is not what Michigan's students need.  Contact your State Senator today and urge them to oppose more emphasis on testing by voting YES on HB 5707 and NO on HB 552.

Can't see the images? View as webpage December 11, 2018 REMINDER: Wear #RedForEd TOMORROW, Come To Lansing After School         Tomorrow, join school employees across Michigan in wearing #RedForEd to show our solidarity as the lame duck Legislature considers bills that will harm students and school employees alike.  Be sure to share selfies and group shots of members wearing red on social media using the #RedForEd hashtag. After school, educators will be gathering in Lansing to make our voices heard.  From 4-5 p.m., MEA members are welcome at MEA Headquarters in the Board Room (1350 Kendale Blvd., East Lansing, MI 48823) for a briefing about what’s going on with lame duck and best practices for lobbying downtown. Afterwards, we’ll carpool downtown to meet up with others who can’t make it to HQ for a 5:30 p.m. candlelight vigil in front of the Capitol building. After the vigil, we’ll go into the Capitol to talk with lawmakers and watch the lame duck session from the galleries.                                RSVP now for the vigil at actionnetwork.org/events/lame-duck-vigil – and even if you can’t make it to Lansing tomorrow, join us by wearing #RedForEd. Stay Informed as Lame Duck Week 3 Begins The Legislature is back this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to continue this year’s wild Lame Duck.  Stay up-to-date on what’s happening at www.mea.org/lameduck and on MEA’s Facebook page.  Daily updates are being posted as well as specific calls to action, including legislation on: “Innovative schools” and A-F rating systems Union release time Union recertification elections Your voluntary contributions to MEA PAC and the NEA Fund help elect friends of public education.  Contribute Today! Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube