The state House on Monday approved a joint agreement made over the weekend by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative Republicans on back-to-school roadmap, and Michigan’s teachers unions are on board — for the most part.
The legislation — House Bills 5911, 5912 and 5913 — lets local districts decide whether to offer in-person education during the COVID-19 pandemic, but requires districts to maintain minimum levels of teacher-student interaction in virtual settings. Each bill passed by at least 40 votes, and now heads to Whitmer with expectations she’ll sign them into law.
Read more: Michigan back-to-school roadmap approved in state House, heads to governor’s desk
Two major education unions, the Michigan Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, approved of the compromises made in the new bills, mostly for finally clarifying how districts can start preparing for the fall.
However, union leaders and other educational organizations still question some elements of the deal, as well as how future budgets will ensure fair compensation and safety for teachers and school support staff.
“You know the saying ‘If both people are pissed at the end of a compromise, it was a good deal.’ There were a couple things that we liked,” said David Hecker, president of AFT Michigan. “It let school districts, teachers, support staff know what’s going to happen. How is student count going to happen? What’s going to happen with benchmarks? It gives them some certainty. At the same time, it also provides flexibility.”
Provisions of the approved plan include:
- Local districts can determine reopening methods and guidelines, using COVID-19 metrics and recommendations from local health departments to drive decision-making.
- No state education funding is tied to in-person instruction, though K-5 students returning will be prioritized when districts are ready for reopening.
- Per-pupil funding is based on 75% of last year’s enrollment numbers and 25% of the 2020-21 school year. Districts are required to provide at least two two-way interactions a week between at least 75% of enrolled students and their teachers.
- Instruction plans will have to be reviewed on a monthly basis in each district’s public meetings. Benchmark testing is required to assess student performance under this new framework.
Hecker, as well as Michigan Education Association spokesman Doug Pratt, appreciated amendments leading up to the vote that didn’t tie state funding to this year’s enrollment numbers. The bills help “mitigate the impacts about where and how students will attend school this fall,” Pratt told MLive.
“They also provide flexibility in how districts count attendance in a virtual environment to help with the unprecedented transitions we’re facing this fall,” he said. “The bills eliminate onerous provisions like mandatory in-person school for K-5 and outsourcing virtual education, both of which were major concerns for educators.”
Eliminating the possibility of outsourcing work from teachers to third-party technicians was also noted and supported by Hecker. Overall, the deal showed flexibility in dealing with the “fluid” pandemic situation, Hecker said.
“We think, as a packaged compromise, that this is a deal that we could support,” he said.
One thing both unions criticized was the benchmark testing requirement. Pratt said it is not “the right choice for students.” However, the MEA feels better about the provision since it will only measure mid-pandemic performance.
“The legislation is clear that these tests are only to be used to measure learning loss – not blame students, schools and educators for a pandemic beyond their control,” Pratt said.
Other organizations, such as the Michigan Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators, slammed benchmark testing, calling it “cruel.”
“There are parts of these bills that are highly detrimental to Michigan students and teachers,” said spokeswoman Maria Lagrasso, a music teacher for Dearborn Public Schools. “Understanding where our students’ proficiency lies is extremely important, but mandating two additional standardized tests this year is cruel and merely adds another level of undo stress and inequitable testing into the school year.”
MI-CORE held two protests outside the Capitol over the last two weeks, including one Saturday, Aug. 15, while the Senate voted to send the legislation to the House for review. The last gathering drew around 100 teachers and other demonstrators.
Allowing districts to make their own decisions “hasn’t proven fruitful so far,” Lagrasso said, pointing to COVID-19 positive test statistics in certain schools allowing for face-to-face instruction.
“Macomb County, which had a 7.4% positive test rate last week, sits well above the CDC recommendation of 5%, and had multiple districts and individual schools forcing staff to teach face to face,” Lagrasso said. “(That includes) Roseville Community Schools, L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, De La Salle Collegiate, and Regina High School. Without widespread remote learning, entire communities stay at risk of outbreaks.”
Macomb County’s positive test rate this week is 7.3%, according to county data. MI-CORE’s listed demands include $500 hazard pay for teachers, as well as “stimulus money to cover lost wages, healthcare, and childcare for Michigan families,” Lagrasso said.
The budget concerns coming from the union leaders centered more around how the state is going to pay for PPE for teachers and outfit buildings with better ventilation, Hecker said. Without those items guaranteed for teachers, they should have the choice to opt out of in-person instruction, he said.
“The employee needs to feel comfortable with what the district is doing safety-wise and feel comfortable going into the building,” he said.
Pratt furthered the point, saying the unions want “an education budget for this coming school year that prioritizes the health and safety of students, educators and families.”
Whitmer and the legislature struck a deal on the last fiscal year’s state budget July 22, filling a $2.2 billion gap with federal money and a reallocation of state funds. The projected shortfall for the 2021 fiscal year is $3.1 billion.
More health, school spending in 2020 budget revised by Michigan legislature Wednesday
With Congress in Washington on recess, Hecker doesn’t see an answer coming soon.
“The state budget is a big issue,” he said.
To help you navigate this complicated fall, we’re pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up.
Read more on MLive:
More virtual classrooms? House OKs ‘Return to Learn’ bills in late-night session
Michigan Republicans propose $1.3 billion plan for reopening K-12 schools this fall
Reopening schools depends on how people behave, Michigan’s Dr. Khaldun says
Ann Arbor Public Schools holding firm on plan to start year remotely
COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.
Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.
Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued executive orders requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nosewhile in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. See an explanation of what that means here.
Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.Related: In-person learning not required for Michigan schools this fall, and other takeaways from Senate-passed education bills
Related coverage:
Michigan Senate OKs framework for reopening schools during coronavirus pandemic
Whitmer, lawmakers reach deal on school reopening plans during coronavirus pandemic
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