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When the union is your employer

The public tends to hear a great deal about teacher contract negotiations in local public school districts, particularly when things get contentious. But what happens when the teachers union is on management’s side of the table? More
New Features

Michigan charter schools ‘gaining legitimacy’ in school marketplace, report says

Charter schools not only are doing well academically on less state funding, but some now view parents’ right to choose the best school for their children as a social justice issue. More

Legislative Alert

Loan rates. Fraternal exemption. Waiver-for-performance. More

Apples to oranges: Why ‘adequate yearly progress’ says so little

A report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute says ‘making AYP’ is no guarantee of quality, including in Michigan. More

Do better schools come in small packages?

Michigan high school say they will create freshman academies, schools-within-schools and take a more personal approach to students in their "small school" programs. More

Customers ask Blue Cross: Why propose added charges?

When Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan proposed charging more for a health plan that has helped some school districts save hundreds of thousands of dollars, customers asked why. Since then, Blue Cross has withdrawn the proposal and now says it is discussing the plan’s future. More
Review

The ‘me’ in MEA

Pension proposal is expensive and does not help students. More

Dollars and sense

We need to teach students about free enterprise. More

Lashing Out

The MEA advances its agenda with school board recalls. More

It merits discussion

Discussing merit pay for teachers More

How tax credits and vouchers work

An explanation of the differences between two school choice plans. More

Judgment call

A court decision exposes the shortcomings of union governance. More

Bullying prevention

Attacking the problem from day one. More

Think lean

How process analysis can help the bottom line. More
Daily Digest User Comments Editor's Pick
"Federal stimulus money has turned an educational experience into paying jobs for 18 students enrolled in a program at Beaumont Hospital." >>
"A recall effort against four school board members is under investigation by Michigan State Police, but a detective said that his work might not be finished before the recall election itself." >>
"The Ypsilanti school district plans to spend about $3 million more than it takes in during the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which means it also will have to file a deficit elimination plan with the state to explain the shortfall." >>
"The Algonac Community School District may privatize its custodial and bus services, but is giving current employees a chance to make a counter proposal first." >>
"Potential bankruptcy, continuing budget problems, more staff cuts and allegations of theft at Detroit Public Schools all were reported by Detroit media during the past week." >>
"Only 33 percent of the students enrolled in Grand Rapids alternative high schools graduated last year, a number the district believes can be improved by switching to online courses, extended days and hours and a lower student-adult ratio." >>
"African-American students are suspended or expelled at disproportionately higher rates than white students in Michigan." >>
"Employees in the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District will receive pay hikes, contribute 10 percent to their health insurance premiums and move to a new insurance plan under the terms of a newly signed contract." >>
"The "ghost employees" that may be drawing paychecks from Detroit Public Schools probably aren't teachers, according to the union president, because they apparently aren't paying union dues." >>
"Headed into contract negotiations, the Romeo school board has adopted a $50 million budget that counts on $2 million in employee wage or benefit concessions." >>
"Home-school students from the Niles area put together an archaeology exhibit for the Fort St. Joseph Museum recently." >>
"Regional labor contracts, a statewide teacher pay scale and consolidated administration are among the proposals that a group of Michigan school leaders want the state to consider." >>
"Michigan State University has received a $5 million grant to train education researchers in economics." >>
"The emergency manager of Detroit Public Schools and the head of some of the city's most successful charter schools said Thursday that preliminary talk is under way about a joint project at DPS' Mumford High School." >>
"Four cafeteria workers employed by Whiteford Agricultural Schools in Monroe County will be transferred to the company that manages the district's food services, but a union official predicted a lawsuit over the move." >>
"Michigan teachers could lose certification for two years if they take part in a strike, under legislation recently introduced in the state House." >>
"School employees and Michigan Education Association leaders want Oakland Schools to turn over more of its fund equity to local districts." >>
"Senate Republicans have proposed eliminating the Michigan Promise scholarship in the beginning rounds of state budget discussions, but the education adviser to Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the governor will not sign on." >>
"Teachers union officials in Traverse City are "appalled" that the school district posted details about ongoing contract negotiations on its Web site." >>
"Kalamazoo area school districts won't save as much money as usual on teacher retirements this year because fewer educators have opted to leave the classroom." >>