Hard Won Not Done
Michigan educators lived through a dark time between 2011 and 2019. After voters ousted anti-education politicians, educators successfully clawed back some of what was lost — but the work continues.
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From the MEA Voice:
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Under Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, our neighborhood schools and the students they serve suffered. Snyder's direct attacks on public schools drove a statewide educator shortage and led to fewer supports for students.
Politicians cut $1 billion from K-12 schools to pay for tax cuts for wealthy CEOs and businesses, resulting in lower wages and benefits for public school employees and fewer resources in classrooms.
Health care costs were shifted onto educators, increasing out-of-pocket costs and forcing many to pay more for the same coverage.
Changes weakened the pension system and pushed new educators into less secure retirement options — undermining the stability that once made education an attractive career.
Laws stripped educators of the right to negotiate over key workplace decisions like placement, discipline, layoffs and recall.
Teacher evaluations were required to rely heavily on standardized test scores — with up to 40% of an educator's evaluation based on test results instead of professional judgment.
School funding has increased, with equalized per-pupil funding now over $10,000. But we lost so much ground under Snyder that funding is still struggling to keep up with inflation.
The pension system is now the default option for new employees, but the work continues to ensure every educator can retire with dignity.
Educators won back the right to negotiate over issues that impact their daily lives on the job.
New laws reestablished evaluation as a topic of bargaining, allowing teacher input and reducing the weight of test scores in ratings.
What's at Stake in 2026
Every gain educators have made since 2019 can be undone by the next governor. That's why getting involved and voting in 2026 is so critical to the future of public education.
Protect Our Progress.
Michigan educators lived through a dark time between 2011 and 2019. Under Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and his allies, our neighborhood schools and the students they serve suffered.
Politicians cut $1 billion from public schools, shifted healthcare costs onto educators, weakened the pension system, stripped educators of the right to negotiate over key workplace decisions, and weaponized standardized tests in evaluations. Political attacks on public schools drove a statewide educator shortage and led to fewer supports for students.
After voters ousted anti-education politicians, educators successfully clawed back some of what was lost, but the work continues. Every gain we have made since 2019 can be undone by who is elected this fall. That’s why getting involved and voting in 2026 is so critical to the future of public education.
By uplifting educator voices and remembering the harm inflicted, we can elect leaders who align with our values.
Tell us Your Story!
Submit a selfie video or written testimonial answering one/both of the following questions:
What specific impact did budget cuts and political attacks in the 2010s have on you and/or your students?
What have you and your students gained back during the last eight years?
