Tenure Update – Outcome of the Michigan Tenure Commission Ruling

House Bill 5606 Archived Files

• “Michigan Merit Standard” High School Graduation/Curriculum Requirements, March 31, 2006 – An analysis of the legislation that was passed by the Michigan House of Representatives and the Senate on March 30.
• House Bill 5606 update, March 2, 2006 – The House passed Bill 5606, detailing Michigan's new high school curriculum requirements. See the pdf file for the complete bill. Significant changes since the original bill: EDPs will be required from middle school forward, foreign language was removed as a requirement, and only licensed school counselors shall oversee/supervise/collaborate the programming with staff, students, and parents (no substitute employees may do so, such as a "student support services worker"). Algebra II did remain. Watch for the Senate's version of this bill very soon!
• House Bill 5606 update, January 30, 2006 – updated summary of the high school grauation requirements.
• House Bill 5606, January 24, 2006 – Legislation strengthening high school curriculum requirements.

Bill Introduced to Restore Tenure Rights For School Counselors

Late in February, Rep. Bill Caul (R-Mt. Pleasant) introduced House Bill 4395, which would restore tenure rights for school counselors with a teaching certificate. The bill has been assigned to the House Committee on Education.

While MCA and its Division AMSC are pursuing a remedy through the administrative rules process with the Department of Education, we will also support this bill. Members will be kept informed as these dual strategies develop.

03/02/2005  Senate Passes Merit Cut

The Senate passed a bill today, September 25, that states that a qualifying high school senior of 2005 will not be eligible to collect the $1000 Merit Award scholarship if he or she attends an out-of-state university of college. Senator Valde Garcia (R-Howell) added an amendment that would allow the student to reapply for the funds during his sophomore year in college. If funds are available in the state fiscal year 2007 budget, the state would then award the monies.

From : ASCA Legislative Affairs...

Perkins Update
The Senate version of the Perkins reauthorization bill will not be brought to the floor this session. The major disagreement was over the 2 and 4 year institutions' eligibility issue, and members on both sides were uncomfortable proceeding unless a consensus could be reached. The Committee members decided that there was not ample time to resolve the issue to everyone's satisfaction. The issue will be set aside for now and picked up again when time permits a more thorough examination of the 2 and 4 year issue. The fact that Perkins will not be brought to the Senate floor means it will not be brought to the House floor either for a vote.

The Labor Department Launches "Career Voyages" Interactive Tool
The U.S. Labor Department has created a new online, comprehensive resource allowing users to explore a variety of career paths. The site is interactive, featuring options to pick a career and to "chart your course" based upon educational attainment; an option that allows users to profile "hot" jobs, both by state and by industry; and an option that answers frequently asked questions regarding necessary training and education  for particular jobs. For counselors, the site features "youth" and "career advisors" sections that should prove relevant and helpful to both school counselors and their students.

....articles taken from ASCA Legislative Affairs

Also be sure to visit the MCA Legislative Information site...