- Message Center
The Message Center is a service of the MEA Public Affairs Department. It is updated twice monthly when the Legislature is in session and at other times as needed.
Message Center by topic:
Have an idea?
If you have an idea for the Message Center, please contact Editor Karen Schulz at kschulz@mea.org or 800-292-1934.
Resources
- Local UniServ/executive director
- MEA Public Affairs Department, 800-292-1934
Backgrounder - Education reform
Education reform is on the minds of policymakers in Lansing and in Washington, D.C.
But, there’s a difference between education reform that would help students and proposals that aim to whittle the jobs and collective bargaining rights of public employees.
Education reform will be in the spotlight in Michigan in March and April. On March 7, noted education historian Diane Ravitch and other education reform experts will participate in a major symposium on reform. In April, Gov. Rick Snyder plans an address on education, where he is expected to announce his ideas for public education.
We hope that Snyder embraces some of the ideas included in MEA’s bold five-point reform plan to make Michigan a leader in education. The association was the first to release a roadmap for education reform. You can read MEA’s “A+ Agenda” here.
Meanwhile, it’s hard to get excited about what’s taking shape in Lansing. Snyder’s proposed budget calls for drastic funding cuts for education – both K-12 and higher education – and school officials statewide are warning of dire consequences if the cuts are enacted. Several legislative proposals are underway that would undermine school improvement efforts by eliminating the jobs of public employees who provide direct student support or gutting the collective bargaining rights of those who remain employed.
Real, balanced reforms are needed – and MEA’s A+ Agenda includes dozens of ideas to help public education and Michigan. Please help spread the word about these positive reforms that would provide real, balanced solutions to the crisis.
Talking Points
- MEA supports real education reform that will create an educated workforce for the jobs Michigan needs.
- MEA does not support so called “education reform” that simply veils attacks on public school employees, their collective bargaining rights, or their unions.
- We need to work together to help all children have access to great public schools.
- Historically, public school employees have advocated for many of the major education reforms that have proven to help students – professional standards, race and gender rights, increased learning opportunities for students with special needs, small class sizes, early childhood education, bilingual and multicultural education, and efforts to provide a safe learning environment for all students, to name a few. As we look forward, we should remember this – and ask professional educators what else can be done to help students.
- MEA’s A+ Agenda is a proactive proposal to improve public education and to help move Michigan forward. Our plan raises the bar for student achievement and accountability for all.
Sample letter to the editor
Writing a letter to the editor is a quick way to share your views with your community. This is a sample letter that you could personalize or use as a reference to write your own, unique letter.
Dear Editor:
For too long, we’ve considered short-term fixes and attacks on school employees to be “education reform”. It’s time we define education reform in terms of balanced solutions that will help students graduate high school and be prepared for college or other post-secondary opportunities. MEA has created a path to education reform with its A+ Agenda. Go to www.mea.org to read their bold proposals. The A+ Agenda provides the way to real reform based on high-quality research and best practices. We would do well to follow their lead.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME, JOB TITLE AND CONTACT INFORMATION)
Related: Read other sample letters to the editor on the A+ Agenda.
Updated: March 31, 2011 12:08 PM
5 THINGS TO DO WITH THIS INFORMATION
- Reprint the backgrounder in communications with members, including e-mail, newsletters, or as a flyer to distribute at an upcoming meeting.
- Use the talking points to communicate with members, supporters, legislators, superintendents, school board members, and others.
- Ask one member to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Encourage him/her to use the talking points and give him/her these tips for writing letters to the editor.
- Contact your state representative and state senator to ask about how you can help him/her learn more about effective education reform.
- Watch the education reform symposium on Monday. Go to www.mea.org/edform Monday morning for log-in directions. The symposium begins at 9 a.m.