News+Alerts

  As you are aware, the Certification Rules have changed as of June 20, 2014. MEA will be conducting a WebEx on the new rules (and all current rules!) on Monday, July 21st at 10AM. Certification WebEx – NEW Certification Rules! What Every Teacher Needs to Know about Certification.  ¨ WebEx ¨ Monday, July 21st at 10AM UniServ Offices will send out WebEx Login Information in the next few days. This is a FREE WebEx for MEA Members. The WebEx will be recorded and placed on the MEA Website. Also – I have attached the most up-to-date flow chart for Teacher Certification and added some clarification to the MDE’s Rule Changes.
 * News Alerts - T****hese are provided through the MEA, NEA and local organizations**

__“Master’s Degree Earned at Any Time”__ Previous rules contained language that allowed the use of an approved master’s degree, earned at any time, to be used for purpose of **renewal of a Provisional certificate or progression to the Professional Education certificate**. The current rule revision effective September 1, 2013 placed time limitations on earned master’s degrees which eliminated the master’s degree or higher as an option to renew or progress a teacher’s certification. This approved waiver allows teachers to use an approved master’s degree “earned at any time” **to renew a Provisional certificate or progress to the Professional Education certificate regardless of when it was earned**, to meet their professional learning requirement. So, you can use your Master’s Degree to renew your Provisional Certificate AND you can use that same Master’s Degree to progress to your Professional Certificate. However, you can’t use that same Master’s again to renew your Professional. Your Master’s Degree must be in education or a field of study related to education at a Michigan approved Educator Preparation Institution (EPI). Contact your College/University if you need to confirm if it is an approved EPI. __Professional Learning Hours (180) vs. DPPD (150)__ In addition, the Teacher Certification Code from May 18, 2012 set forth two different professional learning amounts depending on which professional learning option was being utilized. This approved waiver allows applicants to renew their Michigan Provisional certificate or progress to the Professional Education certificate by obtaining 150 professional learning hours regardless of the option used. Note: District Provided Professional Development (DPPD) cannot be used for Provisional certificate RENEWAL. So the new “magic” number is 150 – not 180. This has also changed the “conversion of hours” – 1 semester credit = 25 SCECHs and 1 semester credit = 25 DPPD hours. __DPPD Clarification:__ Recent clarification of MCL 380.1527 and Teacher Certification Code also enabled MDE to remove the limitation restricting the use of DPPD to a maximum of 30 hours per school year. We will no longer have a cap of 30 hours per school year for DPPD. Teachers will need a total of 150 hours over the 5 year period as prescribed in rule for progression to the Professional Education certificate or Professional Education certificate renewal. So the Department of Education will now accept more than 30 hours of DPPD per year to progress to your Professional Certificate or to renew your Professional Certificate. However, you must make sure that the PD you earn qualifies for DPPD. If you have any questions, please contact Sara LaForge ( slaforge@mea.org ) and she will forward all questions to the appropriate person.
 * NEW changes to the Certification Rules as of June 2014 from MDE (with clarification): **

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<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Legislative Updates, House Bills, & Newsletters <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">(information on current MI legislation) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">

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**//Sent on behalf of MEA President Steven Cook//**

MEA local presidents, other local leaders, board members and staff, This afternoon, the newly formed Senate Compliance and Accountability Committee will meet for the first time. Its first order of business is investigating complaints about how MEA’s membership resignation procedures relate to the so-called “right-to-work” law. This comes as no surprise. Our historic efforts to engage and retain MEA members worked and we saw very few members choosing to resign. About 99% of members chose to stay with MEA because they want an advocate to make their voice heard, especially in Lansing where the experts on the front lines are too often ignored when it comes to what’s best for students and public education. When the Mackinac Center and their corporate special interest supporters saw those numbers, they reacted, first filing the charges at the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) that I emailed you about on Oct. 22. On behalf of a handful of our members, they are challenging the August resignation window that has been in place at MEA for more than 40 years – and has already been successfully defended once, more than a decade ago , in front of Gov. Engler’s MERC panel [citation: //West Branch-Rose City Education Association//, 17 MPER ¶ 25; 2004 WL 6012388 (2004)]. My video message I recorded last week addresses this issue – you can watch it at__ @http://youtu.be/Y43CT_kSoDQ __. Then, last Thursday, the Mackinac Center was front and center at a Senate press conference announcing this new Senate committee to investigate the same issues MERC is looking at. It seems the Mackinac Center didn’t have the patience to simply follow MERC’s legal proceedings, so it went to its friends in Lansing to run a duplicate process. These baseless charges will now waste taxpayer time and money at both MERC and the Senate. Regardless, when we are asked to testify before the Compliance and Accountability Committee, MEA will do so. This afternoon, we will listen with great interest while the Mackinac Center tries to twist the truth – and we will reply with the facts to the media and the committee when it’s our turn. In the meantime, if you’re asked questions, please feel free to refer them to Doug Pratt at __ dpratt@mea.org __ or address them with these facts in mind: - This is just another attempt to destroy public education and privatize our kids’ schools for profit. MEA is a target because we are the strongest advocate fighting these attacks by corporate special interests and making the voices of school employees heard against the forces of the Mackinac Center. - MEA's resignation process has been in place since 1973, and the so-called "right-to-work" law did nothing to change the circumstances around it. While RTW makes it illegal to charge a fee to non-members, it has always been illegal to compel someone to join or remain in a union. MEA's bylaws and membership forms reflect that, allowing for members to resign, in writing, during the month of August. - Our system is set up to match the timeline of continuing employment for school employees – their employment continues with the start of the school year, so too does their membership in MEA. Other organizations use an anniversary date or an open enrollment window for making membership decisions, and so do we. Every process has a deadline, and ours is the month of August. - MEA believes in the sanctity of contracts – whether they are with a school district or an individual – and the democratic process. A signed membership form and the governance documents approved by our member-elected representative assembly form a contract between our members and the MEA. If MEA fails to live up to that contract, our members have legal recourse, and vice versa. We intend to honor our end of that agreement with our members and we hope our members do as well. I will keep you apprised of any developments regarding this new committee, the legal challenges to our resignation process, and how MEA will continue to fight these attacks on our union and public education. Sincerely, //Steve Cook//

//MEA President//

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> ** Ferris State accused of unfair labor practices after turning down their own **** contract offer ** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> // Bowing to p //// olitical threats from Lansing, FSU Board //

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> // unanimously rejected an agreement they proposed // **BIG RAPIDS, Mich., March 11, 3013** — The Ferris Faculty Association has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission asserting the university’s Board of Trustees violated state labor law when it recently failed to pass a five-year contract. With the current contract set to expire June 30, the union began negotiations in good faith with the administration on a new five-year contract. Representatives of the university board and the union reached a tentative agreement, which was ratified by 96 percent of the faculty. However, on Feb. 22, the university board unanimously rejected the contract, despite the fact that the agreement was exactly what the university proposed to its employ ees. Under state labor law, the representatives of either party who negotiate an agreement must support that agreement when it is put up for ratification. By unanimously rejecting it, the board clearly violated that law. In a letter to faculty and staff, Ferris State University President David Eisler wrote the contract extension “could ha ve been a good thing for our university.” However, the board capitulated to political attacks coming out of Lansing regarding the negotiation of contracts prior to the implementation of so-called “right-to-work” laws on March 28. Those attacks have included being called before McCarthy-style committee hearings in Lansing about these agreements and threats of funding cuts for schools or universities who enter into contracts with employees prior to that date. “A number of lawmakers were qu oted in the media as favoring reduced funding or other sanctions of some kind for universities that signed contracts or agreements delaying the impact of ‘Right to Work,’” Eisler wrote in his letter. “When these discussions be gan, I saw the possibility of reaching a five-year agreement providing good terms, consistency, and predictability for faculty. Unfortunately, because of the political developments we were unable to extend the union security clause.” The union, an affiliate of the Michigan Education Association and National Education Association, is also seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in Mecosta County Circuit Court to enjoin the board’s illegal activity until the commission is able to address the grievance. “Faculty and staff at Ferris State, along with universities and schools across Michigan, have the legal right to negotiate their contracts,” said MEA President Steve Cook. “For the Ferris State board to reject a contract //they propos// //ed//, especially in light of President Eisler’s own comments that it would be good for the university, is disturbing – especially because it is in response to intimidation from some legislators. “Republicans in Lansing should be ashamed of what their rhetoric is doing, not only to hard-working school employees, but to the management of school districts being overtly threatened by elected lawmakers. I call on them to end their bullying and witch hunts, and get out of the way of legal attempts by employees and school administrators to bargain in good faith.” <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;">“The mission of the MEA is to ensure that the education of our students and the working environments

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;">of our members are of the highest quality.”

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Tuesday, August 28th 2:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. Hudsonville High School Auditorium
 * Please make sure you attend one of the following informational meetings in regards to your retirement.**

Wednesday, August 29th 2:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. Harbor Lights Middle School Auditorium, West Ottawa

Tuesday, September 11th 4:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. Spring Lake High School Auditorium

Thursday, September 13th 4:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. Zeeland West High School Auditorium

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 * <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">NEWS RELEASE **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">This message is from MEA President Steve Cook: **

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Good afternoon,

<span class="Object" style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">This morning <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> the House Education Committee voted to kick out the bill that, among other things, lifts the cap on charter schools (SB 0618). <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Below is a good explanation of what transpired during the committee meeting—it wasn’t pretty.

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">We are hearing that this could be up for a vote by the House as early as <span class="Object" style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">tomorrow <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">.

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Please, take a few minutes <span class="Object" style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">today <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> to get in touch with your representative and urge a NO vote on this bill.

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Steve

MIRS BREAKING NEWS: House Panel Lifts Charter School Cap After Angry Debate -- www.mirsnews.com/alert.php?alert_id=668

November 14, 2011 - MEA ADVOCATE, NOVEMBER ISSUE ,

November 9, 2011

**Statement from MEA President on Scott recall victory** **//“Voters will hold lawmakers accountable for assaults on the middle class”//**

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 80%;">**EAST LANSING, Mich., Nov. 9, 2011 —** The following statement can be attributed to MEA President Steven Cook in response to yesterday ’s historic victory in the effort to recall Rep. Paul Scott (R-Gra <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 80%;">nd Blanc):

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 80%;">“While it was a close, hard-fought race, voters have clearly spoken – they’re fed up with Republican politicians in Lansing attacking public education and the middle class. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 80%;">“Voters didn’t send Paul Scott to Lansing to pave the w <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 80%;">ay for a power grab by corporate special interests – cutting schools, taxing pensions and providing tax handouts to businesses with no promise of creating jobs. Last night ’s results prove that voters will hold lawmakers accountable for assaults on the middle class.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 80%;">“This is more than just a victory for voters in the 51st District who feel Paul Scott hasn’t been representing their interests – it’s a victory for every Michigan voter who feels misled by Republicans and their agenda this year in Lansing.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 80%;">“Voter anger and a turning of the tide is not just happening here. In Ohio, voters overturned Gov. John Kasich’s anti-union bill, Senate Bill 5. Voters there – and here – are tired of Republican politicians spending more time vilifying unions than creating jobs and preserving our middle class.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 80%;">“Our sincere hope is that Republican politicians see this for what it is – a statement from voters that Lansing is on the wrong path. We stand ready, as always, to work with leaders from both parties to ensure strong public schools are there for our children and our economy.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 80%;">“But, if they choose not to change course, we stand ready – along with the rest of the 99% -- to elect new leaders in 2012 who will stand up for kids and the middle class, not of corporate CEOs and the elite 1%.”