Reading Law Moves Toward Retention
Incoming third graders next fall will be the first group whose spring test scores will be used to determine if they move on to fourth grade or not, under requirements…
Details‘Incubator’ Class Nurtures Entrepreneurs
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor When MEA members Hattie Maguire, Kristin Franchi, and Jodi Forster—along with Assistant Superintendent Dr. RJ Webber—started an innovative new class at Novi High School…
DetailsHelping Students See CTE Possibilities
By Madonna Jackson, EdD Disadvantaged/LEP Coordinator Mott Community College Treasurer, Professional Technical Unit (Pro-Tech) It is wonderful to hear policymakers such as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer echoing what individuals working within…
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Snow Day Bill Moves to Senate
A bill that would forgive Michigan school districts from making up school days cancelled when the governor declares a state of emergency passed the state House this week. HB 4206 now heads…
DetailsUnintended? Consequences
By Jason Stidham Livingston County Resident Re-employed Washtenaw County Teacher Last year was set to be extra special for my family. It marked my 20th anniversary teaching at the same district,…
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Fear, Mistrust, Frustration: A Look into Michigan’s Punishing Teacher Evaluation Experiment
Stories by Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member Corey O’Bryan never planned to be a teacher. A self-proclaimed nerd in high school, he entered Western Michigan University to study engineering—until…
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Veteran Teacher: ‘At the wrong place at the wrong time’
Jason Stidham has lived every educator’s nightmare. A high school English teacher for 20 years, he was laid off last June—despite his “Effective” rating—when his Michigan district needed to make staffing…
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MEA Legal Update: Evaluations and Due Process
It’s not over yet, but a seven-year court battle by MEA over a tenured teacher’s termination has so far provided some clarity in what’s required of school districts before they…
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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…
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