Insider Intelligence

Governor Rick Snyder and Talent and Economic Development Director Roger Curtis met with U.P. educators and business leaders in Marquette to discuss the Marshall Plan for Talent. Business, K-12, and higher education participants joined together to discuss needs, potential barriers, and partnerships necessary to help form consortiums that will allow them to apply for Marshall […]

This week members of the Senate Democratic Caucus introduced six bills making reforms to gun laws and school safety in response to the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Other states are also considering similar changes in the wake of February’s mass shooting. $100 million in funding for schools to hire counselors, social workers, armed […]

Governor Rick Snyder and State Treasurer Nick Khouri sent a letter to Attorney General Bill Schuette seeking guidance on recently enacted federal tax law reforms that expand college savings plans to include elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school expenses. Due to the federal changes to the Internal Revenue Code, Michigan is requesting a […]

Yesterday, Governor Rick Snyder unveiled his “Marshall Plan for Talent,” something he first announced in this year’s State of the State address. The plan calls for investing $100 million in new funding dedicated to innovative programs, including competency-based certification, assistance for schools to improve curricula and classroom equipment, scholarships and stipends, and support for career […]

This week, the Michigan Supreme Court issued an order finding that Public Act 75 of 2010 is unconstitutional. Under the law, public school employees had to contribute 3% of their salary for future retiree health care. “This measure was passed during a massive overhaul to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System, which at the […]

This week, Michigan’s plan to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was approved by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, a Michigan native.  According to Michigan State Superintendent Brian Whiston, the plan takes a “whole child” approach and is designed to do what is best for Michigan’s children. Michigan’s proposal will have less […]

On Monday, four members of the House Democratic Caucus announced their proposal aimed at creating healthy school environments.  Representatives Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township), Kristy Pagan (D-Canton), and Robert Wittenberg (D-Oak Park) are the sponsors of the seven-bill package seeking reforms.  The reforms in the legislation call for: Environmental assessments to be conducted […]

Last Friday, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) re-submitted the state’s plan to the U.S. Department of Education for the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.  This updated version was developed using feedback the department received from the federal government two weeks ago.  The re-submitted plan includes requested technical detail and clarifications to the first submitted […]