MEA Votes

In an essay published in the Sunday Detroit Free Press, MEA President Iris K. Salters encourages readers to respond to the new documentary, "Waiting for Superman," by sharing stories about real school heroes on a new website, www.RealSchoolHeroes.com.

The film, which provides a skewed view of some of the challenges in public education, ignores many of the good things that are happening in Michigan schools, Salters wrote.

"We can't afford to ignore the great work being done in schools across this state. We have to learn from our successes -- not simply publicize our failures. That's why the MEA is encouraging people to visit a new website, www.RealSchoolHeroes.com, and share stories about the difference dedicated school employees make every day."

Yet again, researchers have determined that paying teachers a bonus based on student performance does not improve the achievement of those students.

A pay-for-performance study released this week by Vanderbilt University and the RAND Corporation followed nearly 300 Nashville Public Schools teachers from 2007 to 2009. The result?

No overall effect on student achievement.

Nerds like data, right? Maybe Rick Snyder should use this new data to reconsider merit pay as a central feature of his education plans?

In her monthly column in today's Detroit News, MEA President Iris K. Salters outlines why Michigan will be at a huge disadvantage in earning federal Race To The Top dollars and how, regardless of federal funding, we need to approach school reform so it's constructive for students over the long haul.

Too bad MEA had to put it there.

MEA Government Affairs Director Ed Sarpolus' rebuttal to the News' constant and baseless attacks on the MEA and its members ran in the paper today. In particular, Sarpolus' comments were focused on the News' unfounded criticism of MEA's positions on the federal Race To The Top program.

While most in public education are working hard to stop a $218 per pupil funding cut from coming to pass, Michigan’s charter school advocates are rallying at the Capitol today to expand their ranks as part of ongoing school reform efforts – despite consistent research that shows increasing the number of charter schools will do nothing to help struggling schools or students.