Sorting out Michigan's proposed education overhaul
In recent days there has been much made of a proposed overhaul to Michigan’s education system. The overhaul consists of three parts: two bills currently working their way through the state House and...
View ArticleNational advocacy group ranks Michigan 6th in nation for education policy
A national education advocacy group ranks Michigan sixth in the country for education policy. The group Students First says the state gets high marks for bills passed in recent years by the...
View ArticleMichigan school district out of money, closes doors today
The financial storm has been brewing at the Buena Vista School District outside of Saginaw for some time, but it came to a head today. The Buena Vista School District announced that the school is...
View ArticleAfter right-to-work passage, Michigan Education Association retains 99% of...
The president of the Michigan Education Association, Steve Cook, says the states new right-to-work law has not put a big dent in the teacher unions membership. According to Cook, who appeared on...
View Article8 teachers named in complaint filed against the Michigan Education Association
Michigan’s largest teachers’ union is being accused of trying to intimidate teachers who wanted to leave the union. Earlier this month, the Michigan Education Association announced 99% of its members...
View ArticleIn this morning's headlines: MI vets have low benefits, teachers and right to...
Michigan veterans get little benefits compared to other states "This Veterans Day, Michigan has the dubious distinction of having its military veterans among those receiving the least government...
View ArticleLegislation would force new Michigan teachers into a 401(k)-style plan
New legislation in the state Senate would close Michigan’s teacher retirement system to new teachers. Instead, all new teachers would get a “defined contribution” 401(k)-style plan. Under a partial...
View ArticleTruth Squad rules "flagrant foul" on teachers' union ad, warns Snyder campaign
The Truth Squad at Bridge magazine has had a busy summer looking at ads in the race for governor. The close race between Republican Rick Snyder and Democratic challenger Mark Schauer has meant many ads...
View ArticleAnti-union group, MEA lock horns (again)
There's another squabble between an anti-public-union group and the union that represents most of Michigan's teachers. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy actively encourages teachers to quit the...
View ArticleUnion survey shows many Michigan teachers unhappy at work
A survey of educators in Michigan shows many teachers are feeling demoralized by state mandates and a lack of funding. Eleven-thousand teachers across the state responded to the anonymous survey by...
View ArticleMichigan teachers can quit union at any time, appeals court rules
The Michigan appeals court says teachers and other school employees can quit a union at any time, not just one month a year. In a 3-0 decision, the court says it's following Michigan's right-to-work...
View ArticleProposed state budget could eliminate pensions for new teachers
Budget talks in the House and Senate may close Michigan's pension program for new teachers. Supporters say this would help ease Michigan's growing debt. But others say pension cuts would hurt a...
View ArticleWeek in Review: House passes GOP health care bill and state lawmakers pass...
The stalled Republican replacement for the Affordable Care Act cleared a big hurdle this week. Lawmakers in the U.S. House passed the bill -- thanks in part to a last minute addition from Michigan...
View ArticleMichigan Republicans clash over proposed changes to teacher pensions
Tensions among Republican lawmakers are rising over the new state budget. Some Republican leaders are trying to change teacher pensions to a 401(k)-style plan for new hires. But critics, including Gov....
View ArticleMichigan Supreme Court: Return $554M to school employees
The Michigan Supreme Court says the state must return more than $550 million to school employees who had money deducted for retiree health care.
View ArticleSuperintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools: Executive Director of special...
Grand Rapids Public Schools will not remove its head of special education, despite possible legal action. Six local unions and some parents and faculty claim Laura LaMore has done a poor job running...
View ArticleA bill slapping letter grades on Michigan schools is closer to becoming law
A state House committee has approved a bill creating an “A thru F” grading system for Michigan schools. The bill approved by the House Education Reform committee would use existing criteria to create a...
View ArticleLawmakers consider bill to ban 'release time' pay for teachers union reps
A bill on its way to the state Senate floor would prevent school union reps from getting paid release time when they're on union business. SB 796 passed the state Senate Education committee on a four...
View ArticlePrecedent-setting Michigan case poised to be overturned by U.S. Supreme Court
In the next month, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to overturn a ruling in a precedent-setting Michigan case. In 1977’s Abood versus Detroit Board of Education decision, the Supreme Court ruled that...
View ArticleMEA urges lawmakers to keep current teacher evaluation standards
Michigan’s largest teachers’ union is asking state lawmakers to prevent a change in the way teachers are rated on job-performance . Starting in the fall, a greater percentage of an educator’s...
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