tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133087102024-03-05T15:46:10.231-05:00Schools, Politics, and Common SenseA collection of thoughts, letters, and comments about schools, taxes, what works, what doesn't and what might...Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-28817978211436946882018-03-23T18:05:00.001-04:002018-03-23T18:07:29.676-04:00Top Ten MEA Salaries 2017 As I've done in the past, here are the top ten salaries and historic data for MEA compensation. This is at the leadership level of the Michigan Education Association. Document can be downloaded.<br />
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/374707887/Top-Ten-MEA-Earners-2017#from_embed" nbsp="" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Top Ten MEA Earners 2017 on Scribd">Top Ten MEA Earners 2017</a> by <a href="https://www.scribd.com/user/288535/R1Lawrence#from_embed" nbsp="" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View R1Lawrence's profile on Scribd">R1Lawrence</a> on Scribd</div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="1000" id="doc_13693" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/374707887/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-lsx3dQMJY9NjTTpwxf7R&show_recommendations=true" title="Top Ten MEA Earners 2017" width="750"></iframe>Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-45929619951651287402018-03-23T18:02:00.000-04:002018-03-23T18:07:51.694-04:00Comparative MEA Salaries 2016 to 2017<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242;">Recently the annual LM2 report for the MEA was filed with the Department of Labor. This report (required by the Department of Labor) details the compensation for all officers and employees of the Michigan Education Association; you can find the simple analysis of the report here (also shown below), and the complete report </span><a href="https://olms.dol-esa.gov/query/getOrgQry.do" style="color: #9b8c45; text-decoration: none;">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242;"> (enter file number 512-840.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An interesting change is the increase in total MEA employment reporting, i.e., more staff. The median increase in compensation for all MEA staff was 1.84%. Once again, all top ten MEA officers continue to earn more than Governor Snyder (his annual compensation is $159,300, but because of his high net worth he returns all but $1.00). The TOP TEN earners are listed below this report.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A twist this year: Steven Cook added $78,206 to his base salary boosting total pay to $346,391 - his additional role is something called "Digital Strategist" which is a newly created position. There is nothing on the MEA website which describes the job duties of this position. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is also an new summary chart of the TOP TEN TOTAL earners going back to 2006, it includes the number of years accumulated. Some data may be skewed by not including years prior to 2006. This is an interesting data point given how many of these salaries have a large impact on pension earnings from both MPSERS and MEA.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242;">If you are an MEA member, you can search these reports by name to see what your UniServe director's compensation - to find your UniServe diretor see this </span><a href="http://www.mea.org/directories/" style="color: #9b8c45; text-decoration: none;">link</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242;"> to the MEA website. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242;">This document can be downloaded and is searchable by name. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/374707157/Compare-MEA-Salaries-2016-to-2017#from_embed" nbsp="" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Compare MEA Salaries 2016 to 2017 on Scribd">Compare MEA Salaries 2016 to 2017</a> by <a href="https://www.scribd.com/user/288535/R1Lawrence#from_embed" nbsp="" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View R1Lawrence's profile on Scribd">R1Lawrence</a> on Scribd</div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="800" id="doc_33203" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/374707157/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-ztMrBzRo3kvHan9lNtRt&show_recommendations=true" title="Compare MEA Salaries 2016 to 2017" width="750"></iframe>Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-55615874642026687382017-01-05T13:24:00.000-05:002017-01-05T13:24:48.835-05:002016 MEA Director and Staff CompensationRecently the annual LM2 report for the MEA was filed with the Department of Labor. This report (required by the Department of Labor) details the compensation for all officers and employees of the Michigan Education Association; you can find the simple analysis of the report here (also shown below), and the complete report <a href="https://olms.dol-esa.gov/query/getOrgQry.do">here</a> (enter file number 512-840.)<br />
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An interesting change is the increase in total MEA employment reporting, i.e., more staff. The median increase in compensation for all MEA staff was 1.84%. Once again, all top ten MEA officers continue to earn more than Governor Snyder (his annual compensation is $159,300, but because of his high net worth he returns all but $1.00). The TOP TEN earners are listed below this report.<br />
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There is also an new summary chart of the TOP TEN TOTAL earners going back to 2006, it includes the number of years accumulated. Some data may be skewed by not including years prior to 2006. This is an interesting data point given how many of these salaries have a large impact on pension earnings from both MPSERS and MEA.<br />
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If you are an MEA member, you can search these reports by name to see what your UniServe director's compensation - to find your UniServe diretor see this <a href="http://www.mea.org/directories/">link</a> to the MEA website.
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/335789948/Comparative-Salaries-of-MEA-2015-to-2016#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Comparative Salaries of MEA 2015 to 2016 on Scribd">Comparative Salaries of MEA 2015 to 2016</a> by <a href="https://www.scribd.com/user/288535/R1Lawrence#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View R1Lawrence's profile on Scribd">R1Lawrence</a> on Scribd</div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_90712" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/335789948/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-d5dh8dBYPRrdvTcQpmrV&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe>Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-1645393794652815992016-11-16T14:06:00.001-05:002016-11-16T14:06:31.313-05:00Updates On The Way<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcgId2Pc0Zvha_vfOSR-YxfY19d8iGrqKXmeUPH_IAIpVgBZq8qUlHE_hJ9zvbgBjRFbiPpJjpMKlhg95Olv7bKbSje6v89AVcHqEKk0S0h2z4Hr0dGKfa31Bd-uwT816v5np/s1600/TwoC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcgId2Pc0Zvha_vfOSR-YxfY19d8iGrqKXmeUPH_IAIpVgBZq8qUlHE_hJ9zvbgBjRFbiPpJjpMKlhg95Olv7bKbSje6v89AVcHqEKk0S0h2z4Hr0dGKfa31Bd-uwT816v5np/s200/TwoC.png" width="200" /></a>It's been a long time since my last post, but not for lack of work. I've taken to the more visible avenues like FaceBook and Twitter. It's a different format but has a wider, immediate reach. Of course, those are not viable venues for deeper commentary or analysis - the modern blog format is the great leveler for that type of work. To that end I will be transitioning this blog to my personal/work webpage in the near future. Now, you might say that hosting a blog on a professional website is a risky move, and there is some truth in that. I'm willing to accept that some people that might be inclined to work with me, or hire me, will choose not to based on current or past posts. I'm ok with that. I've always attempted to take a measured and defensible position on the issues I discuss. If I lose business because of my thoughts it's entirely acceptable outcome because everyone has the right to disagree and think my positions or conclusions are wrong.<br />
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I would however hope that my positions are not so bombastic as to alienate even the most opposed to my commentary. After all, honest and open discourse is what moved the founding fathers to the final structure of the Republic. Surely a simple blog can be afforded the same consideration? I will always welcome opposing view points because those views are valid...even if they are wrong ;-)Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-29072552265241539392015-12-09T12:12:00.001-05:002015-12-09T12:12:10.122-05:002015 MEA Compensation Comparison<h2>
<a href="http://roblawrence.blogspot.com/2014/12/2014-mea-compensation-comparison.html" style="color: #444444; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">2015 MEA Compensation Comparison</span></a></h2>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Recently the annual LM2 report for the MEA was filed with the Department of Labor. This report (required by the Department of Labor) details the compensation for all officers and employees of the Michigan Education Association; you can find the simple analysis of the report </span><a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/292788220/MEA-Salaries-2015" style="color: #9b8c45; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> (also shown below)</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> and the complete report </span><a href="http://kcerds.dol-esa.gov/query/getOrgQryResult.do" style="background-color: white; color: #9b8c45; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a> (enter file number 512-840<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">.) There has been an obvious trend over the last few years, a significant reduction in MEA total employment. The cause for this drop can be linked to two factors, a total decrease in aggregate K-12 enrollment (yielding a lower aggregate teacher base), and an increase in teachers "leaving" the union via Michigan's Right to Work legislation. The median increase in compensation for all MEA staff was 5.64%. Once again, all top ten MEA officers continue to earn more than Governor Snyder (his annual compensation is $159,300). The TOP TEN earners are listed below this report.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">If you are an MEA member, you can search these reports by name to see what your UniServe director's compensation - to find your UniServe diretor see this <a href="http://www.mea.org/about/uniserv" style="color: #9b8c45; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">link</a> to the MEA website.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/190475494/MEA-Salaries-2013" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View MEA Salaries 2013 on Scribd">MEA Salaries 2013</a> by <a href="https://www.scribd.com/user/288535/R1Lawrence" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View R1Lawrence's profile on Scribd">R1Lawrence</a></div>
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Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-34469420553412102072015-12-09T12:12:00.000-05:002015-12-09T12:12:01.540-05:00Top Ten MEA 2015 and HistoryA summary chart of the top ten earners at the MEA. Note, all top ten earn more that Michigan's Governor.<br />
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<br />Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-68229191743547665762015-07-16T14:25:00.000-04:002016-11-16T14:28:29.342-05:00One of the great things about being on this Board of Education is that when your child graduates, you get to address the class. This was a personal from the heart speech, and I regret that next year I will not be able to address her brothers class, but I'm sure he's OK with that!<br />
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Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-56136812970121341052015-03-10T22:03:00.001-04:002015-04-28T16:17:19.825-04:00BPSYes.org BPS 2015 Bond So we have a zero tax rate bond millage to support May 5, repeat a 0% increase. This helps fulfill many strategic plan objectives and keeps our schools and community strong. Lots of informative videos and information.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bpsyes.org/">BPSYes.org</a>Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-72777932702784700152014-12-04T19:51:00.000-05:002014-12-04T19:51:40.416-05:002014 MEA Compensation Comparison<span style="color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Recently the annual LM2 report for the MEA was filed with the Department of Labor. This report (required by the Department of Labor) details the compensation for all officers and employees of the Michigan Education Association; you can find the simple analysis of the report </span><a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/249207233/MEA-Salaries-2013-vs-2014" style="color: #9b8c45; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> (also shown below)</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> and the complete report </span><a href="http://kcerds.dol-esa.gov/query/getOrgQryResult.do" style="background-color: white; color: #9b8c45; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a> (enter file number 512-840<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">.) As has been the case for years, compensation at the parent organization (the MEA is the state level organizing unit of the NEA) is consistently stronger than for the rank and file teachers. This years report shows strong pay increases for staff. Compensation at the top increased by nearly 4.5%. The median increase in compensation for all MEA staff was 4.23%. Once again, all top ten MEA officers continue to earn more than Governor Snyder (his annual compensation is $159,300).</span></span><br style="color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">If you are an MEA member, you can search these reports by name to see what your UniServe director's compensation - to find your UniServe diretor see this <a href="http://www.mea.org/about/uniserv" style="color: #9b8c45; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">link</a> to the MEA website.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/249207233/MEA-Salaries-2013-vs-2014" nbsp="" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View MEA Salaries 2013 vs 2014 on Scribd">MEA Salaries 2013 vs 2014</a></div>
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Total TOP TEN history:<br />
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/249207682/MEA-Top-Ten-Wage-Earners" nbsp="" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View MEA Top Ten Wage Earners on Scribd">MEA Top Ten Wage Earners</a></div>
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<br />Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-38381021175411223022014-09-09T22:28:00.002-04:002014-09-09T22:28:50.841-04:00Later School Start Times & Sleep Deprived Athletes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A very brief summary of how we permit our current system to perpetuate sleep deprivation in one of our "strongest" populations, our high school athletes.<br />
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That these students manage to excel is a testament to their strength of will, yet they could do much better if they only managed to avoid the sleep deprivation they have learned to live with. The question is why do we force that choice on them?<br />
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Ultimately Oakland School should take the proactive move and push high schools in the system to move to later start times. The single change will have the collective impact of improving the health, mood, academic, and athletic performance of all high school students. The research is abundant and definitive. Waiting is simply appeasement to the adults that root themselves in the status quo.<br />
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Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-25877868335691545582014-06-06T18:38:00.000-04:002014-06-06T18:42:37.462-04:00Burning Bridges and Lifting Spirits<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">First the burning bridges, or “How to lose credibility and wreck a relationship in four easy steps:”</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtu3fzqdFLAbrLHgenVT9_8DxiAjpaGekP9r3LK3Ahgpdxcnw4ET349AJ1MuB2eqkiJnbqpS17OzaZ0dRmpqc3ekXNJrQhzUL7-699FbfH-k74Oaaon-a47_tqJGcCuOCBx9cg/s1600/Bridge-Burning.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtu3fzqdFLAbrLHgenVT9_8DxiAjpaGekP9r3LK3Ahgpdxcnw4ET349AJ1MuB2eqkiJnbqpS17OzaZ0dRmpqc3ekXNJrQhzUL7-699FbfH-k74Oaaon-a47_tqJGcCuOCBx9cg/s1600/Bridge-Burning.png" height="108" width="200" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">First, negotiate and craft a process with your partners in “good faith” and then explicitly agree to the metrics of that process. Second, allow the process, as negotiated, to proceed. Third, flame the fires of anxiety and misperception regarding the process and its metrics while “conveniently” forgetting that you helped to craft the process and its metrics. Fourth, berate your partners in public by implying that you had nothing to do with the process or the metrics of that process.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Such is the state of relationship building today. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Second, the lifting spirits, or “Thank you for writing!”</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuD_Jt1lJIIaYFjZFW5qiwT0jF5qrJ94o7ThUZUqc0ZsqZxEfg0E84GaUlKWl8Q7M45BfEE8ZzIAOgyZPfeami5F1ZwqnZz2Vs3Dz1IzLCSTfksu-ZlVS1Njq7lPQg40F3lcN/s1600/Spirit-Lifting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuD_Jt1lJIIaYFjZFW5qiwT0jF5qrJ94o7ThUZUqc0ZsqZxEfg0E84GaUlKWl8Q7M45BfEE8ZzIAOgyZPfeami5F1ZwqnZz2Vs3Dz1IzLCSTfksu-ZlVS1Njq7lPQg40F3lcN/s1600/Spirit-Lifting.jpg" height="111" width="200" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Today I received a note from a parent that wanted to share their experience. I will not divulge the particulars, but I have to share the heart of the message. This person’s child moved from a difficult situation into Birmingham Schools as a new student. In praising the building’s staff, special note was made regarding the principal and homeroom teacher. Both individuals were dedicated to ensuring this child not only felt safe in a new school, but helped to weave this child into the fabric of the classroom and school community. This principal and teacher worked together to make the life of this child better. In the child’s own words these two helped to “…give me the chance to be a better student.” They made a difference in the life of this child.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small; letter-spacing: 0px;">It does not get better than that, which makes the first half of this post tolerable. </span><br />
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Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-90835440597568921332014-05-15T12:38:00.000-04:002014-05-15T12:38:29.420-04:00Boycott the MEAP if it returns…<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLNAGJQtX5HaY9kIaEQlwX_ZK1gTDMNK3FUB1dxFUzQU-1B18P2O_BGMLdmcTaRwvOoD7tabtDRhlWVyh8zBLkzmDCnN-r0fZ5UdXBlMnfOQugkevHBbCV3jKdq_9lrYCdi9_/s1600/MEAPcartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLNAGJQtX5HaY9kIaEQlwX_ZK1gTDMNK3FUB1dxFUzQU-1B18P2O_BGMLdmcTaRwvOoD7tabtDRhlWVyh8zBLkzmDCnN-r0fZ5UdXBlMnfOQugkevHBbCV3jKdq_9lrYCdi9_/s1600/MEAPcartoon.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The unmitigated legislative hubris of Michigan’s lawmakers is fully exposed as demands for the return of the much reviled MEAP ring loud in the capital’s cambers. For those that are unaware, Michigan schools have, for many years, supported the framework offered by the Common Core Standards. In the Birmingham School District, we built our curriculum around the common core foundation because we, like other districts, choose to support stronger standards and higher student achievement. The standards are our baseline and we move higher from there. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The legislature's zealous pursuit of a return to the MEAP is due to the federal government’s support of the Common Core initiative with funding. Current federal funding includes monies further supporting the Michigan based and funded implementation of the Common Core Standards and the new Smarter Balanced Assessment tests. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It is this new “federal support” that has our legislators agitating for a return to an outdated, non-aligned, and ineffective MEAP test.This agitation come from the misrepresentation that accepting federal monies lessens Michigan’s control over it’s schools curriculum and testing. IT DOES NOT.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Smarter Balanced Assessment is a superior tool designed to gauge understanding, and help support student progress. This computer based test adapts to the students level of understanding which allows districts and teachers to support, accelerate, or reinforce the learning that happens in the classroom. The results are returned quickly which makes the data relevant and actionable. The MEAP, in contrast, simply tests to a flatline of knowledge; the results are returned so late in the year that districts and teachers can do nothing in the current year to help students. The MEAP is a backwards looking test; it tells you where you were and does little to help districts and students move forward. Relative to helping students today, the MEAP is a waste of time and money. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lansing must listen to and support the work of parents, school boards, administrators, and teachers who are working for a better educational future; this sudden shift backwards will hurt us all. I am calling for school boards, administrators, and parents to support a boycott of the MEAP should Lansing implement its return. It’s time to push back. </span></div>
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Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-55667053775515058122014-04-25T16:03:00.002-04:002014-04-25T16:03:12.100-04:00Representative Tom McMillin - Working to keep Michigan’s Kids Behind!<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGRmxDhzOicEL_WhXjLitlLwcXvzkI0QPPbWUZmWS6r0_BNux0ngPAuSWNZ3bK3zMd1h09bJBm1YxKbe8PSqeOy9v23amhide8Gd6oxo1WGyhAKNtimTUM3hILgjxxk4OWFYm/s1600/mcmillin.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGRmxDhzOicEL_WhXjLitlLwcXvzkI0QPPbWUZmWS6r0_BNux0ngPAuSWNZ3bK3zMd1h09bJBm1YxKbe8PSqeOy9v23amhide8Gd6oxo1WGyhAKNtimTUM3hILgjxxk4OWFYm/s1600/mcmillin.png" height="320" width="142" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Once again “Representative” Tom McMillin shows his contempt for raising the educational bar for Michigan’s school children by insisting on using the outdated MEAP exam next year. An article in </span><a href="http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/04/flanagan_flat_out_lying_meap.html#incart_river_default" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">MLive highlights his position</span></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">: “McMillin, a frequent critic of the Common Core State Standards and the Smarter Balanced exams based on the standards, believes the department could prepare the MEAP for next school year.” He’s trying to force the state to use the old MEAP test rather than the new smarter balanced assessment. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Insisting on using the MEAP is like riding a bike with both hands tied behind your back, you might stay upright for a time, but you’re guaranteed to crash. Educators across Michigan have long understood the problems with the MEAP, and the list of the test’s deficiencies is long. Here are just a few problems related to the old MEAP:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’ve <a href="http://roblawrence.blogspot.com/2013/04/representative-tom-mcmillin-seeks-to.html" target="_blank">already commented</a> on how McMillian has perverted the idea of the common core. In fact, his “understanding” rests on manufactured misrepresentations (i.e., lies). An important disclosure, I’m a fiscally conservative republican, and I’m elected school board member that supports the common core initiative. I’ve studied the common core and I’ve researched the development of the standards. I am a witness to how our district is working to ensure <b><i><a href="http://roblawrence.blogspot.com/2013/09/common-core-support.html" target="_blank">our own curriculum</a></i></b> (my emphasis) supports the core standards, and then moves to exceed those standards. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If we have any hope of moving out of the stone age of educational assessment and comprehensive learning, the polluted ideas of people like Tom McMillin should be exposed for the misrepresentations that they are.</span></div>
Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-55385658029928385782014-03-27T11:32:00.002-04:002014-03-27T11:37:26.290-04:00Bill Schuette’s History Lesson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK-DZEgrb89wLyKYlwrCIkdXibBgz_BdUL4Z1mR-i_eDN3i5skcbdquTTn0sbe8LB7r8-u7us1iA3OmJmu9pz5goPfyTTi5ixNzPIwxIcaI1efyYyu8X-snlja9U0CJmXSKfk/s3200/Windmill.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK-DZEgrb89wLyKYlwrCIkdXibBgz_BdUL4Z1mR-i_eDN3i5skcbdquTTn0sbe8LB7r8-u7us1iA3OmJmu9pz5goPfyTTi5ixNzPIwxIcaI1efyYyu8X-snlja9U0CJmXSKfk/s3200/Windmill.jpeg" height="141" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1">Attorney General Bill Schuette notes that <a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2014303250017" target="_blank">it’s his job</a> to uphold Michigan’s Constitution (Free Press editorial, 3/27/14), I agree that he is only doing his job. But as Mike Thompson’s editorial <a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2014140326006" target="_blank">cartoon</a> illustrates Mr. Schuette is tilting at windmills. </span></div>
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His “rational basis” for the 2004 voter support of a ban on gay marriage is the notion of how marriage was traditionally understood “by virtually all civilizations throughout the centuries.” Those civilizations also understood slavery to be normal, child labor to be cost effective, and until 1920 in the United States, suppressing women’s ability vote to be morally acceptable.<span class="s1"></span></div>
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<span class="s1">My wife and I have been married 18 years and we never questioned our civil and legal rights in making this commitment. For gay couples, Michigan’s amended Constitution denies these same civil and legal rights based entirely upon their sexual orientation.</span></div>
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It’s Bill Shuette’s job to presses his case all the way to the US Supreme Court. I suspect that only there will his last editorial comment be amended to read: “…it is fundamentally wrong to treat people differently based on the color of skin, gender, race, ethnicity, <b><i>or sexual orientation</i></b>.” </div>
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Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-51632661027181171762013-12-09T11:48:00.000-05:002013-12-09T11:52:10.886-05:002013 MEA Compensation Comparision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5AZ3LztBxDue24hhu1Zkq0a8KnKpCfAtOABJBX9ycX3vfPnIc6M-OlK4t8PHu4cyoE4Zl6SdfrPHhM2VPqofU7-i9DoC82IzCtDqaRUT5oTt7ZXxtk1tnWw44GgBYZm3wmtz/s1600/toppay.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5AZ3LztBxDue24hhu1Zkq0a8KnKpCfAtOABJBX9ycX3vfPnIc6M-OlK4t8PHu4cyoE4Zl6SdfrPHhM2VPqofU7-i9DoC82IzCtDqaRUT5oTt7ZXxtk1tnWw44GgBYZm3wmtz/s200/toppay.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Recently the annual LM2 report for the MEA was filed with the Department of Labor. This report (required by the Department of Labor) details the compensation for all officers and employees of the Michigan Education Association; you can find the simple analysis of the report </span><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/190475494/MEA-Salaries-2013" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> (also shown below)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> and the complete report </span><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/190483249/2013-MEA-LM2-Report" style="background-color: white; color: #9b8c45; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">. As has been the case for years, compensation at the parent organization (the MEA is the state level organizing unit of the NEA) is consistently stronger than for the rank and file teachers. This years report shows a small increase of staff, reversing last years reduction. Compensation at the top decreased again for the third year. The average increase continues to outpace the CPI at over 6.6% but this is influenced by timing issues (some individuals may have come onto the payroll mid year, etc.) and other adjustments. The median increase in compensation for all MEA staff was 0.30%. Once again, all top ten MEA officers continue to earn more than Governor Snyder (his annual compensation is $159,300).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">If you are an MEA member, you can search these reports by name to see what your UniServe director's compensation - to find your UniServe diretor see this <a href="http://www.mea.org/about/uniserv" style="color: #9b8c45; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">link</a> to the MEA website.</span></span>
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/190475494/MEA-Salaries-2013" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View MEA Salaries 2013 on Scribd">MEA Salaries 2013</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.772922022279349" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_53134" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/190475494/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-1w57zl1drrcxczqm6r3g&show_recommendations=false" width="100%"></iframe>
The Top Ten salaries of the MEA are listed here:
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/190476980/MEA-Top-Ten-Salaries-2013" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View MEA Top Ten Salaries 2013 on Scribd">MEA Top Ten Salaries 2013</a> </div>
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These salaries are all based on the Department of Labor LM2 filings.Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-9833533240372908112013-09-23T11:34:00.000-04:002013-09-23T11:34:32.322-04:00Common Core Support<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3M-ABy4VXV5gqc9WORPvtz7zq32KLeuhrnRdlyoiQBjrE3uBgbJFkD3CevfNxXZEYQulomarcgJi6Fs6k7yGRy9tOeidEXKWV2pM-Gkh3AHD2TcDw5Q0kqjQiTXSJTdjSfDkG/s1600/CommonC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3M-ABy4VXV5gqc9WORPvtz7zq32KLeuhrnRdlyoiQBjrE3uBgbJFkD3CevfNxXZEYQulomarcgJi6Fs6k7yGRy9tOeidEXKWV2pM-Gkh3AHD2TcDw5Q0kqjQiTXSJTdjSfDkG/s200/CommonC.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In an attempt to address the political bluster that has infected the conversation regarding the common core efforts, <a href="http://www.edexcellence.net/about-us/fordham-staff/chester-e-finn-jr" target="_blank">Chester Finn Jr.</a> and <a href="http://www.edexcellence.net/about-us/fordham-staff/michael-j-petrilli" target="_blank">Michael J. Petrilli</a> (both from the <a href="http://www.edexcellence.net/" target="_blank">Fordham Institute</a>) offer some <a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013309220104" target="_blank">common sense insights</a>. An interesting quote is the observation from Governor Rick Snyder: “I think the Common Core is a really important opportunity. ... Unfortunately, it’s been too much about politics. Too many people in our country ...are looking to fight someone for the sake of fighting.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">That quote is worth it’s weight in gold; some politicians (see prior post) are using Common Core in a hypocritical attempt to create controversy solely for political points. Facts and research mean nothing to this type of “politician,” only the red-meat sound bite matters. What is it about politics that attracts this type of person? More to the point, why do we keep electing them? Maybe we should pay more attention, and maybe we should call them on the facts, not the sound bite.... </span></div>
Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-15393184131312883932013-04-26T17:01:00.001-04:002013-04-26T17:01:48.038-04:00Representative Tom McMillin Seeks to Dumb Down Michigan
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uVCXQodHKxEx5exkj5OYOlRXzk07VwyCCcYmTBNNrqbmHBa3t5Y8tGVOgl9RUjpmUVAXmW9EcdeAI3BwAFMB-AOZjtWi_dq1y9e51ymad6A6XToHRc1EKvGiNOk1BOWtQ_hC/s1600/Common+Core+Image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uVCXQodHKxEx5exkj5OYOlRXzk07VwyCCcYmTBNNrqbmHBa3t5Y8tGVOgl9RUjpmUVAXmW9EcdeAI3BwAFMB-AOZjtWi_dq1y9e51ymad6A6XToHRc1EKvGiNOk1BOWtQ_hC/s200/Common+Core+Image.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span class="s1">Tom McMillin’s wrong headed and dangerously <a href="http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/state_edwatch/2013/04/michigan_house_approves_budget_stripping_common_core_funds.html"><span class="s2">misguided legislation</span></a> seeks to ensure and enshrine underachievement for Michigan’s school children. His actions to subvert the common core and the next generation smarter balanced assessment is based on misinterpretations and manipulations designed to promote his own narrow agenda. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">McMillin’s objections expose a fundamental flaw in his knowledge about how and why the common core was developed; or perhaps it just pulls the curtain away from his close association with <a href="http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/cfr/contrib_anls_res.cgi?doc_seq_no=367453&doc_stmnt_year=2012&com_id=513757&doc_date_proc=++++++++++&sched=1A&doc_type_code=G1A&caller=cf_online"><span class="s2">charter school operators</span></a>. What better way to promote charters, than to help kill public schools? After years of lagging behind nearly every state in graduation requirements, Michigan moved to raise the bar in 2006. The framework of the Common Core and the implementation of improved testing tools helps support that higher bar for all students. McMillin’s actions run counter to the objective of dismantling quality public eduction. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Some facts about the <a href="http://www.corestandards.org/resources/myths-vs-facts" target="_blank">common core</a>. It is not a perfect framework (nothing is), but the CCS does support higher CORE standards and the subsequent achievement expectations. Lost in the </span><span class="s3">rhetoric</span><span class="s1"> is that the standards are <b><i>CORE standards, </i></b>not a predigested package of fully prescribed material. There are thick layers around the core which are controlled at the state and local levels. The common core is research based and provides the scaffolding for State and Local School Boards to build around that core:</span></div>
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<li class="li1"><span class="s1">The standards were developed through the work of 48 states </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">The standards emphasize core competencies -- which means there is plenty of content controlled locally which will surround that core</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Michigan signed up to help develop the smarter balanced assessment. I’d like to highlight this fact; MICHIGAN WANTS TO HELP DEVELOP THE ASSESSMENT TOOL (i.e., have input, help shape, design, and ensure the tools work for Michigan).</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Leading the Smarter Balanced Assessment develop are:</span></li>
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<li class="li1"><span class="s1">State Superintendents of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, <b><a href="http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_30334_51042-232021--,00.html" target="_blank">MICHIGAN</a></b>, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, N. Carolina, Oregon, S. Carolina, S. Dakota, Vermont, Washington, W. Virginia, Wisconsin as well as support from Alaska, N. Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming.</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Each of the states listed above also provide K-12 input through personnel working for School Board Associations, or State Level Education Administrators.</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Every state listed includes Higher Education representatives (i.e., College) or administrators to ensure that college ready standards are supported.</span></li>
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<span class="s1">As a local school board member I support the common core. I support higher standards and expectations, and I support Michigan’s desire to be part of designing a better future for our children. Representative McMillin is either genuinely misinformed, or dangerously duplicitous regarding his intentions. Neither option is good for Michigan. </span></div>
Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-13018687717329856822013-03-02T12:26:00.001-05:002013-03-02T12:27:29.628-05:002012 MPSERS Financial Statement Released<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIAQVl4_fh4dY21p6Ex_BF_LIgMI92DiFcnPiQ1SY0X4vEyMBGpnFWUxTpyOJte1ZENqAL11_m8cWQ36IOcOy5NsLhzWX5I-Dvb5NvTnhZEhimVDhgFLyTijDN0KVIbgQbH6t/s1600/peterson_icebergad_summit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIAQVl4_fh4dY21p6Ex_BF_LIgMI92DiFcnPiQ1SY0X4vEyMBGpnFWUxTpyOJte1ZENqAL11_m8cWQ36IOcOy5NsLhzWX5I-Dvb5NvTnhZEhimVDhgFLyTijDN0KVIbgQbH6t/s200/peterson_icebergad_summit.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
Thirty days late is better than never; the MPSERS Annual Report has been posted. You can view the report<a href="http://www.michigan.gov/orsschools/0,1607,7-206-36585---,00.html" target="_blank"> here</a><a href="http://here./">.</a> Upon first review there is good news and bad news. I'll provide a detailed analysis once I've worked through all 111 pages. A few notable items jumped to the front including:<br />
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<li>Funded ratio (using the "smoothing" accounting trick) has fallen to 64.7% (pg.36)</li>
<li>Total unfunded liability of pension fund is $22.4 BILLION and $25.9 BILLION for Other Post-employment Benefits (health care). <span style="color: red;">Total Unfunded position: $48.3 BILLION</span></li>
<li>Investment assumptions continue to remain insupportably high at 8% (pg. 37)</li>
<li>Total portfolio returns lagged market indexes but reported a solid 13.5% return (pg. 7)</li>
<li>Five year total return on portfolio is annualized at 1.6% (pg. 7)</li>
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The one thing that accounting gimmicks (smoothing) and inflated assumptions cannot hide is the demographic wave which continues to threaten the school aid fund... soon there will be more retirees drawing from the pension system than there will be employees paying into the system. The following chart on page 102 of the report is clear:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif90CpVqK1KQivJzBp4QGANL-AtdQ1lliZjHIo_t5iMbZi7GjOqrHUYcb6N892VGw7zMRVV0Ud64Du_DoLDZOEdn458qydUrQKO7F2ta1KJxKk-SmYKvzJw-GkEkKc6fWo1tex/s1600/MPSERS+Graph+2012+membership.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif90CpVqK1KQivJzBp4QGANL-AtdQ1lliZjHIo_t5iMbZi7GjOqrHUYcb6N892VGw7zMRVV0Ud64Du_DoLDZOEdn458qydUrQKO7F2ta1KJxKk-SmYKvzJw-GkEkKc6fWo1tex/s640/MPSERS+Graph+2012+membership.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is little to no likelihood of reversing this trend. All demographic studies support the fact that Michigan is getting older. There will be fewer school age children added to the system and there will be a declining need for additional teachers. With only 27,108 more active members than retired members, it's likely that the lines will cross in the next two to three years. The <a href="http://mymassp.com/content/house_committee_reports_latest_mpsers_reform_changes" target="_blank">recent changes</a> enacted to bolster the system might delay the need for more dramatic actions, but like all political acts it only kicks the can further down the road. </div>
Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-42532058299666467522013-02-25T20:28:00.000-05:002013-02-25T20:28:09.865-05:00The Common Core - And Common Misconceptions<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3Jt8aaxYAJQafRtliPDm3TtzEz2-i-fyxexuvCzonBGraY0GD2dAF6YapnnycUFnnPqLVjiShx8vtin9I8UaVqeQvzywt4fpMUgL5AIelgPmvzfMHIby5h7B0r-xWrea7Li6/s1600/index11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3Jt8aaxYAJQafRtliPDm3TtzEz2-i-fyxexuvCzonBGraY0GD2dAF6YapnnycUFnnPqLVjiShx8vtin9I8UaVqeQvzywt4fpMUgL5AIelgPmvzfMHIby5h7B0r-xWrea7Li6/s200/index11.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It’s time to Stop Being Stupid. That tag line is not mine, <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/83743.html"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">it’s adapted from Republican Governor Bobby Jindal</span></a> and it applies to the misguided <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/billintroduced/House/htm/2013-HIB-4276.htm"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">HB 4276</span></a>; this bill seeks to kill adoption of the Common Core standards for Michigan schools.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As a fellow republican - and an active school board member - I’m dismayed when I see legislation like <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/billintroduced/House/htm/2013-HIB-4276.htm"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">HB 4276</span></a> introduced by fellow republicans. The “rational” for this ill conceived bill rests in the idea that the common core is a federal program and that it enables federal control over all local curriculum. If this reasoning were to be argued in a high school debate class the underlying logic would not survive 5 minutes before being torn to shreds by the average 10</span><span style="font-size: 4.7px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> grader. Of course, that supposes the 10</span><span style="font-size: 4.7px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> grader would have benefited from the type of core competencies supported by STATE DEVELOPED common core. That fact, the common core was developed at the STATE level, seems to have been overlooked, ignored, or intentionally misrepresented in the rhetoric associated with the introduction of this bill. None of those three motivations are good. Interestingly, the <a href="http://www.pta.org/advocacy/content2.cfm?ItemNumber=3487"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">National PTA</span></a> supports this STATE initiated program; a list of other supportive organizations is found <a href="http://www.corestandards.org/about-the-standards/statements-of-support"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">here</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’ve read the common core material, I’ve spent time understanding the objectives, and I’ve seen how I (as a school board member) will have significant control over how any of this initiative is implemented. There is no loss of local control, there is no federal intervention, and there are no mandates. The only tie to the “federal” level is the decision to rid ourselves of the widely criticized and largely ineffective MEAP and MME tests. The operational decision which “ties” schools to federal funds is the decision for <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_30334_51042-232021--,00.html"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Michigan to join as a governing state</span></a> with the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium. That decision included applying for and receiving federal funds to develop assessments designed to ensure kids are learning what they are expected to learn. This is not an evil federal hook designed lead us “<a href="http://www.gophouse.com/readarticle.asp?id=9781&District=45"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">blindly</span></a>” down a federal path to “<a href="http://www.gophouse.com/readarticle.asp?id=9781&District=45"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">overreach</span></a>” into our classrooms.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The common core represents a rational, well conceived foundation designed to ensure that all children have the opportunity to succeed in an era of global competitiveness. The framework for progressing can be debated, and the assessments can be refined, but to trash the effort as some draconian subterfuge is uncalled for. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I hope that HB 4276 dies a quiet death in committee; such a fate would kindle my hope that we’re walking away from a “stupid” path and moving towards a smarter future for everyone in the State of Michigan.</span></div>
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Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-6842604033168393322013-02-15T10:48:00.001-05:002013-02-15T10:48:58.920-05:00The Goal of Education - With Help from Carl Sagan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P52FNqfPobT4J-aZrlqxDUA0W1emDA6F1emNZZdJ_ikdYHJxLCG6hrPLQd0bomAS04WRh-JjknbyXKf34cDB83Xq_5ayc7bCq5w2jVAOhToT60IZecsaBk19iOKPuDlcPr0G/s1600/66149_509811135735904_156529699_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P52FNqfPobT4J-aZrlqxDUA0W1emDA6F1emNZZdJ_ikdYHJxLCG6hrPLQd0bomAS04WRh-JjknbyXKf34cDB83Xq_5ayc7bCq5w2jVAOhToT60IZecsaBk19iOKPuDlcPr0G/s200/66149_509811135735904_156529699_n.jpg" width="163" /></a>Breaking from the focus on budgets, dollars, and costs, I was reminded of a video posted over a year ago by <a href="https://twitter.com/ReidGower" target="_blank">Reid Gower</a>.<br />
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What sets us apart? What can we as a species aspire to? I hold hope in my heart for continued greatness. Our future rests in how we educate today. The video is narrated by the voice of Carl Sagan as part of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thesaganseries" target="_blank">Sagan Series</a> and it hits all the bases. It sets the stage for the most fundamental and profound aspirations for education written large... This is best viewed in HD!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oY59wZdCDo0" width="640"></iframe>Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-1872010233825670262013-02-15T10:32:00.001-05:002013-02-15T10:49:26.275-05:00Where's My Pension Report?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSo1bRs3-zWSaHnbgouFxWZWADlPApc4t6sNrZU_I0OLK_-30X6UEJBqXRF9ZyzOb65d5UOiTANDD8W4bhg2R-US3skuzZw4y_VRGATQU_Hgu2C6ngQmjLQ8HGXd-wqfaiOob/s1600/neon+clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSo1bRs3-zWSaHnbgouFxWZWADlPApc4t6sNrZU_I0OLK_-30X6UEJBqXRF9ZyzOb65d5UOiTANDD8W4bhg2R-US3skuzZw4y_VRGATQU_Hgu2C6ngQmjLQ8HGXd-wqfaiOob/s200/neon+clock.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Sometimes being late is just that, being late. Sometimes it's an indication a problem exists. The release of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) financial statement known as the <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/orsschools/0,1607,7-206-36585---,00.html" target="_blank">CAFR</a> (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) is late. The system's year end is September 30. Typically the report is issued in late January. It is now late February and still no report.<br />
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Make no mistake, the fund has been hit hard by the economic recession. Returns have been bad, and future obligations have grown. Yet the "health" of the pension is not determined by an outside agency. The definition of health rests <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/publicact/pdf/2007-PA-0015.pdf" target="_blank">entirely within the hands of the retirement board</a> (pg 3, items 11 &12) and the director of the Office of Retirement Services. That's the same setup which helped produce the financial meltdown of the mortgage market - the banks hired the rating companies to rate the debt, but the rating companies only provided their "opinion" based on the input they received from the banks.<br />
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Maybe the retirement board is <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/23/us-usa-pensions-finreturns-idUSBRE86M1AA20120723" target="_blank">not sure how much longer</a> they can sustain <a href="http://www.pionline.com/article/20120723/PRINTSUB/307239982" target="_blank">unrealistic assumptions on investment returns</a>, or how long they can hide the true value of current assets behind the curtain of "smoothing." Smoothing is an interesting "tool" employed by the board. The board allows itself to "report" 2011 assets of $43.3 billion while really having only $36.7 billion. This "trick" is allowed by accounting standards, but that does not make it right. No less than <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aCb9PTevRP3g&refer=news_index" target="_blank">Warren Buffett has said that "pension accounting encourages cheating."</a><br />
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The delay in releasing cannot mask the massive and growing burden this program represents -- my only wish is that the report will someday accurately represent the facts without hiding behind accounting tricks. Maybe someone is finally pushing for true clarity, we'll see....Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-53801969842463403692012-12-21T15:05:00.001-05:002012-12-22T09:27:59.451-05:00The NRA "solution"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbc5cqb8UITo0zQ3SiWwpny9Hog8wlC1-JEBlsSXr3gzWkT9uM16yO7Bjxhuip160ph0oosAzatk1Nar7o-2V9o3EVFQSPOuZwySybLZ_hRwzyaKCMY4aDrPNd_DaCgCFPb4O/s1600/original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbc5cqb8UITo0zQ3SiWwpny9Hog8wlC1-JEBlsSXr3gzWkT9uM16yO7Bjxhuip160ph0oosAzatk1Nar7o-2V9o3EVFQSPOuZwySybLZ_hRwzyaKCMY4aDrPNd_DaCgCFPb4O/s320/original.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dear NRA:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In your world, having armed guards in schools along with a national registration of individuals suffering from mental illness will cure all ills. Great. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So, if someone is not on the "list" here is what they'll do: They'll still be able to buy any assault rifle they want at that community bazaar known as a <a href="http://gunshowtrader.com/gunshows/michigan/" target="_blank">Gun and Knife "show"</a> because you think background checks are some violation of personal rights or freedoms. Of course such a violation does not occur for the mentally ill to be “registered” in a Federal database. Regardless, they’ll also be able to buy <a href="http://www.rogueturtle.com/articles/ammo.php" target="_blank">armor piercing rounds</a> because you never know when you’ll encounter an armored deer and every American should be able to hunt armored deer. In addition, because you’ve opposed any limitation on<a href="http://www.surefire.com/tactical-equipment/high-capacity-magazines.html" target="_blank"> high capacity magazines</a>, they’ll be loading up that armor piercing round into a 100 round clip because an armored deer is going to be tough to take down; they can’t afford to miss an armored deer so a hail of rounds should drop that sucker AND have the added benefit of instantly creating a delicious stew!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So now this person is traveling to school and they encounter Mr. armed security guard. Of course they'll be threatened by him so Mr. armor piercing high capacity magazine assault rife toting non-mentally-ill registered gun owner unloads on that person FIRST! Why, because they’ll be protected by your <a href="http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/19/16026752-florida-man-invokes-stand-your-ground-law-over-pizza-argument-shooting?lite" target="_blank">Stand Your Ground</a> laws and they felt threatened by another guy with a gun. But now this person has snapped and they extend their rampage.... </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Thanks for protecting my schools <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/transcript-the-nras-press-conference-reacting-to-the-sandy-hook-shooting/article/2516626#.UNXCK6WHx14" target="_blank">NRA</a>. Clearly the big mistake was that the shooter didn’t self-register on the Federal Mental Health Issue List, yes -- that was the problem.... </span></div>
<br />Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-22921484631624399562012-12-17T11:10:00.000-05:002012-12-19T21:53:47.939-05:00Guns, Schools, and Politics. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ23XFA7oPo9mZuRO-3bBq1ae-F6JxcZdNqVsvqt7wCHDxlyEFtaasbfDdVl2hV71jRATQ_hE0awVJFzCqkP_O2Ohfemq0KjTtyjqujxE-yJbqE-ZlTYhyphenhyphenpKkwNqtRnYosNQIP/s1600/gun.thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ23XFA7oPo9mZuRO-3bBq1ae-F6JxcZdNqVsvqt7wCHDxlyEFtaasbfDdVl2hV71jRATQ_hE0awVJFzCqkP_O2Ohfemq0KjTtyjqujxE-yJbqE-ZlTYhyphenhyphenpKkwNqtRnYosNQIP/s1600/gun.thumbnail.jpg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The unspeakable tragedy in Connecticut will never leave my conscience. As a parent I was constantly on the verge of tears as the reports flooded the media. However, as a former candidate and current school board member <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Private-Public-Health-David-Hemenway/dp/0472031627" target="_blank">I was floored to learn</a> that in America children are 13 times more likely to die of gun violence than in any other industrialized nation. <b><i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/opinion/sunday/kristof-do-we-have-the-courage-to-stop-this.html" target="_blank">Thirteen more times likely to die of gun violence....</a></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Failure in the eyes of the<a href="http://www.mcrgo.org/mcrgo/" target="_blank"> Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners</a> is an interesting concept. I returned this group’s survey as part of my campaign in the republican primary for Michigan’s 40th house district. While I support second amendment rights, I also support rational and reasonable gun laws and regulation. For groups like MCRGO and the NRA that position - support of reasonable laws and regulation -- is a failure. That stance is highlighted by the recent action in the Michigan Legislature under the recently passed SB 59 which seeks to eliminate gun free zones. The bill awaits Governor Snyder’s signature.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have reproduced the groups survey, with my responses included. There is no room for a gray area in this survey which is admirable, you can’t dance around the issue. Interestingly I was the only primary candidate in my district to return the form. Perhaps because I was the only one that did not fear providing an honest response; that’s not necessarily a good strategy for winning a primary as it turns out. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0px;">In the eyes of MCRGO we will not be safe until there are guns <a href="http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2012-12-14/gun-free-zones_35829851" target="_blank">everywhere</a>: </span><span style="color: #4f7a28; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>"If you have pistol free zones they are actually mass murderer empowerment zones," said Steve Dulan, attorney for the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners, who represents sportsman clubs throughout Michigan backing the bill [SB59]. "If you actually look at the history, even over the past 10 years in the U.S., you find that maybe all but one mass shooting has occurred in a so-called gun free zone." </i></b></span>But what about the concept of tighter regulation of assult wepons, or the limiting the easy availablity of extended ammunition clips or specialty ammunition designed to inflict maximum trauma? The silence on these questions is deafening. </div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Back to </span>MCRGO's<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> survey. I felt that qualified individuals should be able to carry registered concealed weapons. I felt that stand your ground laws <a href="http://gawker.com/5969952/florida-man-shoots-pizza-restaurant-patron-for-complaining-about-slow-service-tells-police-he-was-standing-his-ground" target="_blank">are an invitation to madness</a>. I felt that there should be gun free zones in Michigan (schools, churches, stadiums, libraries, and dormitories). I felt that local communities should have a say these matters. I felt that existing gun laws should be retained. I feel that guns in classrooms, dormitories, and libraries are a bad idea. I feel that Increasing the proliferation of guns is not likely to reduce the already unacceptably high rate of gun violence against children. All of this made me a failure in MCRGO’s eyes. My returned survey to </span>MCRGO<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> is posted below - my "fail" rating came as no surprise given the specific YES/NO nature of the survey. I did not oppose all of MCRGO's positoins, but there is no room for dissent in MCRGO's survey. But this is not a YES/NO issue; my worry is that YES/NO is exactly how this debate will be framed. If that happens it's not a debate, it's just a noisy argument which will accomplish nothing. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/117118891/MCRGO-Survey-Sent" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View MCRGO Survey Sent on Scribd">MCRGO Survey Sent</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.768844221105528" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_25648" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/117118891/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-1h5gd2zex22djo57i2wc" width="100%"></iframe></span></div>
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Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-57789024947750620482012-12-09T11:04:00.000-05:002013-12-09T11:24:57.713-05:002012 MEA Compensation Comparison<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkZVFGBzQAKIu3YQPDWEYa8M01quKe29gwEnq66Fkid3HVV_PHCLVodA7lvIWwDiKLt8w6Msa_JWpfro4YZVhwCImhiEKI1cKF7Ql-kDp9nRX9GTWXQHMjur1iiRKDW3meD6C/s1600/TopTen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkZVFGBzQAKIu3YQPDWEYa8M01quKe29gwEnq66Fkid3HVV_PHCLVodA7lvIWwDiKLt8w6Msa_JWpfro4YZVhwCImhiEKI1cKF7Ql-kDp9nRX9GTWXQHMjur1iiRKDW3meD6C/s200/TopTen.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Recently the annual LM2 report for the MEA was filed with the Department of Labor. This report (required by the Department of Labor) details the compensation for all officers and employees of the Michigan Education Association; you can find the simple analysis of the report </span><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/116125802/MEA-Salaries-2012" target="_blank">here</a> (also shown below)<span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> and the complete report </span><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/116127287/2012-MEA-LM2-Full-Report" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">. As has been the case for years, compensation at the parent organization (the MEA is the state level organizing unit of the NEA) is consistently stronger than for the rank and file teachers. This years report is interesting becuase of the reduction in total MEA staff employment. Compensation at the top decreased slightly, possibly as a reflection of declining membership. The average increase continues to outpace the CPI at over 15% but this is influenced by timing issues (some individuals may have come onto the payroll mid year, etc.) and other adjustments. The median increase in compensation for all MEA staff was 1.11%. This fact remains, life is very good at the top of the MEA ladder, in fact all top ten MEA officers continue to earn more than Governor Snyder (his annual compensation is $159,300).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">If you are an MEA member, you can search these reports by name to see what your UniServe director's compensation - to find your UniServe diretor see this <a href="http://www.mea.org/about/uniserv" target="_blank">link</a> to the MEA website.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/116125802/MEA-Salaries-2012" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View MEA Salaries 2012 on Scribd">MEA Salaries 2012</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.772727272727273" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_52918" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/116125802/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-136glgqq2g27ci4jbafu" width="100%"></iframe>
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<b>TOP TEN MEA DIRECTOR SALARIES:</b><br />
Focusing on the compensation for the top earners at the MEA, the picture continues to reveal earnings that significanly exceed the pay grade of all elected officials in state government.<br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/116126915/MEA-Top-Ten-Salaries-2012" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View MEA Top Ten Salaries 2012 on Scribd">MEA Top Ten Salaries 2012</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.772727272727273" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_84474" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/116126915/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-z7jawxvpbibco9pdm1b" width="100%"></iframe>Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13308710.post-37148692381906050662012-11-28T09:43:00.002-05:002012-11-28T09:43:36.122-05:00Problems with HB 6004, 5923; SB 1358 and 620<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g-VIBs7U-FbsRhcu7qLauL2B1VocR-WYkGCu3Ra8au9-Nxn00jEyiiY2bM8ClMpHX60UU9qivh_pLR7T5Dueisdy1XI7v00wLs-jSRly3mNE_wOU8LcwzC0WRm7JXZ85_WXL/s1600/Kill-Bills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g-VIBs7U-FbsRhcu7qLauL2B1VocR-WYkGCu3Ra8au9-Nxn00jEyiiY2bM8ClMpHX60UU9qivh_pLR7T5Dueisdy1XI7v00wLs-jSRly3mNE_wOU8LcwzC0WRm7JXZ85_WXL/s200/Kill-Bills.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0px;">The best public schools adapt and grow through policy, training, and support. Rather than focusing on encouraging practices and cultures which embrace this fact our Legislators are rushing towards legislation which has little if any empirical support. Evidence shows that the very structures embraced by HB <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(hlmcsimreqrv4h45vudg0yue))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2012-HB-6004" target="_blank">6004</a>, HB <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(viv3eu45qjczvd5550ry5u45))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2012-HB-5923" target="_blank">5923</a>, SB <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(pokgs545mbcxxpea4zok4s3y))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2012-SB-1358" target="_blank">1358</a> and SB <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0bbasr55x1gqbe45l5lxlsrk))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=2011-SB-0620" target="_blank">620</a> do not support student achievement. Strip away the rhetoric and the only thing these bills do is to enable the flow of public funds into charter operator’s pockets - and there is significant statistical evidence that charters do no better than pubic schools, and often their performance is<a href="http://stateimpact.npr.org/ohio/tag/white-hat-management/" target="_blank"> significantly worse.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The biggest overreach on the floor of the Michigan House is HB 6004. It creates a new bureaucracy with no public accountability. In fact, this bill creates a district which disregards whole sections of the existing school code; how is that good for kids in need of help?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The negative issues linked to HB 6004 are discussed in my <a href="http://roblawrence.blogspot.com/2012/11/kill-hb-6004-5923-and-sb-1358-its-like.html" target="_blank">prior post</a>. Further analysis of the proposed legislation reveals a list of sections in the Revised School Code that the proposed EAA<span style="color: red;"> </span><b><i><span style="color: red;">does NOT</span> </i></b>have to comply with:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1140<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Access to skilled trades training and apprenticeship programs reps</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1147 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Right of a child to enroll in kindergarten</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1148 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Admission/transfer of student in foster care</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1148a - Residency of child when parents reside in different districts</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1152 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- English as the basic language of instruction</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1157b - High school credit in foreign language for American sign language</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1165 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Financial education programs</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1166 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Mandatory courses in Constitutions and governments</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1163 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Gun safety to elementary students</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1164b - Course content in African history</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1165 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Financial education programs for financial literacy</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1169 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- HIV and abstinence curriculum</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1171 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Suicide prevention and awareness</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1175 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Salary of school employees not to be affected by dismissal of school for listed public holidays</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1177 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Immunization statements; vision test; immunization status and vision report</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1177a - Meningococcal meningitis; human papillomavirus; vaccines; information to be provided to parents and guardians</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1178 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Administration of medication to pupil; liability; school employee as licensed registered professional nurse</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1179 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Use of inhaler permitted; conditions; liability; extra inhaler; notice to classroom teachers</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1201 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Business to be conducted at public meetings of a board; validity of board actions; closed sessions; legal meetings; notice of meetings; signing of minutes; vice-president to act in absence of president</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1202 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Record of proceedings board accounts, and business; public records; inspection</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1204 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Annual Education Report – provide report to SBE</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1215 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Accounting for moneys; fund designations</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1228 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Contract between school or intermediate district and public school academy to provide services</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1231 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Hiring of teachers; teachers' contracts generally</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1233 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Teaching or counseling by noncertificated teacher; prohibition; exceptions; notice to superintendent of public instruction; waiving student teaching as requirement for vocational certification; competency test; employment as <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>substitute teacher; requirements for service as counselor without valid teaching certificate</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1233 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Teaching or counseling by noncertificated teacher; prohibition; exceptions; notice to superintendent of public instruction; waiving student teaching as requirement for vocational certification; competency test; employment as <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>substitute teacher; requirements for service as counselor without valid teaching certificate</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1233a ‑ Employment counseling and placement services; agreement to establish joint or cooperative service; assistance; MCL 338.2006 inapplicable</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1233b ‑ Teaching of certain courses by noncertificated, nonendorsed teacher; requirements; effect of ability to engage<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>certificated, endorsed teacher; waiving student teaching</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1235 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Sabbatical leave available for a teacher who has been employed for 7 years</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1236 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Employment of substitute teachers and the ability to receive compensation for a long-term position; contracted substitute teachers</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1236a - Contracting with a person or entity to provide substitute teaching</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1237 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Employment of person who does not hold a teaching certificate to provide speech and language services</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1249a - Notification to parents/guardians that a teacher has been rated as ineffective on 2 most recent evaluations</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1251 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A district may employ personnel necessary to provide school psychological service.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1252 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ A district may employ personnel to provide nursing services</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1272 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ A school district may provide personnel and supplies for a meal program for students</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1272a, b, c, d - A K-12 school district shall operate a lunch program and breakfast program; food programs and the applicable nutritional standards; free and reduced meals and fees; MDE guidelines</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1277 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Each school is required to annually update their school improvement plans</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1277a - School accreditation and the requirements to be accredited</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1279a - If assessment irregularities have occurred, the SPI had protocol to inform the district</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1279c - Assessments are not to be used to measure values or attitudes of the student.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1280 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Accreditation</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1280e - Posting of the accreditation status and the adequate yearly progress of a school on the school district website</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1282 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Local school districts shall provide curriculum, special assistance, courses of study and use of the MEAP as an indicator for those requiring special assistance</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1284 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Length of the school year to be the minimum required in the State Aid Act. Each local district must certify to their <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>hours of instruction from the previous year</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1284b - Schools must not begin before Labor Day. The SPI may issue a waiver for a school district to operate year-round</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1289 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Female students shall be permitted to compete for all interscholastic athletic activities</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1299 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- A school shall not deny equal access to conduct a meeting.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1301 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- A pregnant student may not be expelled and a local district may provide an alternative educational program for expectant parents</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1313 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Student found in possession of a dangerous weapon and the definition of a dangerous weapon.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1318 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Use of performing-enhancing substances and participation in athletics</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1321, 1322, 1324 - Transportation for students, requirements and contracting for the transportation of students</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1347 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Displaying the United States flag in public school buildings and classrooms</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1347a - Public school students will have the opportunity to recite the pledge of allegiance</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1401 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Admission of nonresident pupils and the determination and collection of tuition rates</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1561 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Compulsory attendance at public school; enrollment dates; exceptions</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1565 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Provide an opportunity for students to observe time in silent meditation</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1577 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Attendance report of a school district providing student names and parents/guardians</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1588 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Complaint against parent for not complying with attendance of student and the process for a warrant; hearing; and determination</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1589 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‑ Teachers and administrators must supply and assist the attendance officer with information on attendance record of a student</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is no justification for allowing any district to disregard protections, supports, and accountability, yet this legislation short-circuits programs and protections focused on student achievment, district acountability and transparency. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Contact </span><a href="http://roblawrence.blogspot.com/2007/01/legislative-contact-data.html" style="letter-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">your legislator</a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> today, or a generation of </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">kids will suffer because of this ill conceived, charter school operator driven agenda. If you need help in drafting a letter, try </span><a href="http://capwiz.com/masb/issues/alert/?alertid=62173951&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]" style="letter-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">this site</a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">.</span></div>
Rob Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07078551548669786649noreply@blogger.com0