Feature

Teacher job satisfaction has plummeted to its lowest level in 25 years, according to a new survey released last week.

Only 39 percent of teachers report being satisfied with their jobs, according to the annual Metlife Survey of the American Teacher. This figure has dropped 23 points since 2008, according to the survey.

Teachers reporting low levels of job satisfaction were more likely to be working in schools with shrinking budgets, few professional development opportunities and little time allotted for teacher collaboration.

“This news is disappointing but sadly, there are no surprises in these survey results,” National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel said. “Teacher job satisfaction will continue to free-fall as long as school budgets are slashed. Educators are doing everything they can to prepare their students to compete in the global economy, but the rug just keeps getting pulled out from under them.”

Gov. Rick Snyder released his proposed 2014 budget Thursday morning, and while it includes small increases in school funding, it comes nowhere close to providing local schools with the resources they need to give Michigan students they education they deserve.

Snyder's budget proposal includes the following:

Increasing the K-12 budget by 2 percent, which includes bringing the state's minimum foundation allowance to $7,000 per pupil

Doubling state funding for early childhood education

Increasing state support for public universities by 2 percent

Increasing community college funding by 2 percent, which includes more investments in skilled trades programs

Despite the small increases in funding for K-12 schools, community colleges and universities, the amount of state support provided to education is still far less than it was before Snyder took office in January 2011. In his first budget, Snyder cut K-12 funding by more than $1 billion and increased taxes on the middle-class, just to provide a $1.8 billion tax break to corporate special interests.

In what National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel said is a “defining moment within the education profession,” teachers in Seattle are boycotting a district-mandated standardized test because it would have the ultimate effect of harming student learning.

Teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle unanimously decided on Jan. 9 not to administer the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) standardized test, a move that has garnered national attention and support from educators, parents and students. Other Seattle-area teachers have followed the Garfield teachers’ lead and are refusing to give the test.

The MAP is a computer-administered test that is supposed to measure math and reading skills. It’s intended to be used for high-stakes evaluations of teachers. What it really does, however, is rob students of critical class time and tie up computer labs, all while failing to measure what students are actually learning in the classroom.

Registration still open for 2013 Bargaining and Public Affairs Conference

Registration is still open for the 2013 MEA Bargaining and Public Affairs Conference, which will be held Feb. 7-8 at Cobo Hall in Detroit.

Click here to download a printable program and registration form.

The theme of the conference is "Advocacy Through Member Engagement," and will feature keynote speaker Deborah Loewenberg Ball, chair of the Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness and dean of the University of Michigan's School of Education.

Ball, an expert on teacher training and development, serves as director of TeachingWorks, a national organization dedicated to improving teacher education. Ball convincingly argues that policymakers must place more focus on developing current teachers -- both experienced and those just starting out. Skillful teaching is not common sense, Ball says. Instead, skillful teaching can -- and must -- be taught.

EAST LANSING, Mich., Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 — The following statement can be attributed to MEA President Steve Cook in response to today's school shooting in Connecticut and the need for greater focus on student and school employee safety:

"More than 30 times since Columbine, unconscionable acts of gun violence in American schools have either ended or forever changed the lives of students and school employees. Speaking for MEA's 150,000 members, all our condolences go out to the victims and their families, as well as the entire community of Newton, as they deal with the senseless deaths of these children and educators. 

"Regardless of what the details and facts are of today's events in Connecticut, this nation must have a real conversation about guns and the safety of our students and those who care for them.

"I am a gun owner and avid outdoorsman, but something must be done to protect our children from such acts of violence.  Entire school communities -- boards, administrators, teachers, support staff, parents and students -- need to be partners in discussions to ensure our school buildings are safe and protected from these kinds of crimes, using the latest in technology and building design to secure buildings and classrooms from those who would bring harm to students, whether armed or not.

"But we need REAL solutions. Just yesterday, the Michigan Legislature passed SB 59, which allows for concealed firearms in our schools. Those who think that students and teachers will be safer with MORE guns in our schools are just plain wrong.  Thinking that teachers should carry weapons and fire on threats is a recipe for even more death -- not safety. I hope Governor Snyder understands this and vetoes SB 59, not only for the safety of our children but out of respect for those who died today in Connecticut. To sign this bill in light of this tragedy would be unfathomable."