Find Help from MEA

MEA tools and training can assist members in navigating the teacher evaluation system. A training cadre is available to visit local associations to deliver the latest information about the law’s requirements and specific state-approved tools used by local districts, and to provide access to Michigan Department of Education resources related to evaluation. The training includes […]

Act Now to Change Student Growth Percentage

MEA lobbyists have been pushing for changes to the state’s evaluation law for more than a year. As of press time, House Bill 4221 and Senate Bill 122 were under consideration in the state Legislature. The measures would return the percentage of an educator’s annual evaluation that is tied to student growth measures to 25 […]

Who Will Listen To Educators?

Only 25 percent of all Michigan educators—and just 20 percent of teachers—would recommend a career in education to a young person they know, according to results from Launch Michigan’s 2019 Statewide Educator Survey. The top driver of dissatisfaction in their profession? Seventy-two percent say it’s “lack of support from policy-makers and politicians.” “Teaching is a […]

Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced

This year’s 10 Michigan Regional Teachers of the Year were announced last week by the Michigan Department of Education. From those regional finalists, the state’s top educator honoree – Michigan Teacher of the Year – will be revealed next month. The regional teachers of the year were selected for their dedication to the profession, as […]

Online Option for Mandated Reporters

For mandated reporters, it can be difficult to call and make a report of suspected abuse or neglect knowing it could take up to 30 minutes or more to complete the process by phone. Thanks to a new online program, those reports can now be completed online. If you are a mandated reporter, please register […]

Whitmer Announces Educator Advisory Council

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today followed through on her pledge to elevate the voices of educators in her administration with the announcement of a new 15-member Educator Advisory Council, which will begin taking applications immediately. The Educator Advisory Council will be responsible for: Identifying and analyzing issues impacting the effectiveness of Michigan’s public education system; Identifying […]

MEA President lauds Gov. Whitmer’s new Educator Advisory Council

EAST LANSING – On Thursday, MEA President Paula Herbart praised Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for issuing Executive Order 2019-9 creating the Educator Advisory Council within the Department of Education.  The 15-member council will be composed of a broad cross-section of Michigan educators, including teachers, administrators, counselors, specialists, and support staff. The new Educator Advisory Council will […]

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 […]