Legislative Update

This Week in Lansing

Both Chambers of the Legislature have been preparing policy agendas that include numerous educational issues. Last week we reported the Senate is focused on 3rd Grade Reading, Financial Early Warning System, Evaluations, and matching up Education with Skilled Trades and Work force development.

House Speaker Cotter has announced Education Policy inclusive of 3rd Grade Reading, School District Early Warning Systems, and Evaluations. The House Policy Team also announced efforts to change the “school report Card”, Charter School Accreditation, and moving the MPSERS structure to a 401K System.

The only education bill currently moving is HB 4059 sponsored by Rep. Holly Hughes (R-Montague). The bill addresses Critical Shortage needs. The bill should be reported out of The Financial Liability Reform Committee next week for consideration on the House floor.

Other bill introductions that have our attention are:

HB 4143 – Rep. Tom Hooker (R-Byron Center) that prohibits implementation of Common Core Standards and Assessments.

HB 4144 – Rep. Tom Hooker (R-Byron Center) that prohibits implementation of Next Generation Science Standards.

HB 4157 – Rep. Phil Potvin (R-Cadillac) that extends allowable days off for inclement weather to nine.

On the Senate Side we will keep an eye on:

SB 0033 – Sen. Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair) that provides privacy measures for student data.

SB 0069 – Sen. Darwin Booher (R-Evart) that has implications for concurrent enrollment.

... other posts by waddelk