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Survey shows educators feeling pinch from rising health care cost and legislative delays
By Chandra Madafferi, MEA President & CEO School buildings throughout our Michigan communities are once again becoming hubs of activity, as students and educators begin another school year. However, with the buzz of activity and excitement also comes a sobering reality: Health care costs are skyrocketing for school employees in particular, and this hurts our ability to attract and retain…

Statewide survey: Average Michigan public school educator paying $2,400 more annually for health care
Survey results highlight need for House Bill 6058 to be signed into law without further delay In a statewide MEA survey, 80% of Michigan public school educators who responded said they have been paying more out-of-pocket health care costs since January, with the average increase at $2,400 more per year. The survey results highlight the need for House Bill 6058…

MEA statement on selection of Glenn Maleyko as new state superintendent
Glenn Maleyko EAST LANSING — The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County, in response to the State Board of Education’s selection of Glenn Maleyko as Michigan’s next State Superintendent of Public Instruction: “MEA looks forward to working with Superintendent Maleyko and the State Board of Education to…

Hometown schools at risk from federal voucher program
By Chandra Madafferi, MEA President & CEO It’s back-to-school season, and in towns and cities across Michigan, parents and educators are gearing up for a new school year. Whether it’s the buzz of a Friday night football game, the excitement of a school play, or the familiar faces in the school pick-up line, our hometown public schools are at the…

MEA, AFT Michigan call for further education budget negotiations to “get funding right for our students”
The following statement can be attributed to MEA President & CEO Chandra Madafferi and AFT Michigan President Terrence Martin regarding ongoing education budget discussions in Lansing: Michigan students and the educators who serve them every day deserve a budget that invests in their success. Lawmakers shouldn't settle for an education budget that doesn’t invest every dollar possible toward providing every…

Michigan lags behind the nation in school funding. Let’s fix that.
By Erik Edoff, Senior Executive Director, Michigan Education Association Next year’s education budget has dominated recent headlines from the State Capitol, but zooming out to compare how Michigan schools are funded compared to other states is important to student success over time. Despite some progress over the past few years, Michigan still ranks in the bottom half of school funding…

Education Organizations Call for Budget Completion
The Michigan Education Association, Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators, Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity, Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators, AFT Michigan, Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principals Association, Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education, School Education Advocates of West Michigan, K-12 Alliance of Michigan, School Equity, Oakland Schools, Wayne RESA, Macomb…

49 outstanding public school students awarded 2025 MEA Scholarship
The Michigan Education Association today announced the recipients of the 2025 MEA Scholarships, honoring exemplary public school students from across the state who will be attending a Michigan public university next fall. Among the 319 applications submitted for scholarship awards this year, the MEA Scholarship Fund Trustees chose 24 new award recipients who will each receive $1,800. In addition, 25…

Here’s what accountability should look like for Michigan schools
By Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association President and CEO After serving in the role of MEA president and CEO for two full school years, I’ve witnessed the best of what Michigan’s public schools can offer — students engaged in meaningful learning, educators energized by their work, parents actively involved and communities that truly support their schools. I’ve also seen the…
MEA announces winners of 61st MEA-MAEA Art Acquisitions Purchase Awards
MEA members’ artwork to be celebrated at June 9 reception "Strike In Nashville" - Gabriel Marderosian EAST LANSING – The MEA today announced winners of the 61st Michigan Education Association-Michigan Art Education Association Art Acquisitions Purchase Awards. More than 70 pieces were selected from this year’s approximately 170 entries. A reception to honor this year’s entries will be held…
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