ERIC Number: ED560033
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 37
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-890624-03-3
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Roadblocks to Reform? A Review of Union Contracts in Michigan Schools
Spalding, Audrey
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
This study focuses on Public Act 103 of 2011, which made teacher evaluation, layoff policies and teacher placement prohibited subjects of bargaining, among other things. After surveying 200 Michigan school district collective bargaining agreements, this study finds that as many as 60 percent of districts could have collective bargaining agreements in place that contain language prohibited by PA 103. Some districts negotiated with their unions to add language stating that if circumstances changed, pages of prohibited language would take immediate effect. Others simply changed the word "teacher" in order to keep the prohibited language but have it apply to other staff members. Finally, some districts appear to have kept prohibited language without explanation. This study includes further examples and lists of districts that kept the prohibited language in their contracts. As a solution, penalties could be added to the collective bargaining reform laws in order to encourage district compliance. Three appendices include: (1) Surveyed Districts; (2) Districts Redefining "Teacher"; and (3) Contracts Containing Prohibited Language.
Descriptors: Unions, Contracts, Educational Change, Barriers, State Legislation, Collective Bargaining, School Districts, State Policy, Compliance (Legal), Definitions, Teachers, Teacher Evaluation, Tenure, Teacher Effectiveness, Case Studies, Educational Policy, Program Implementation, Teacher Placement, Language Usage
Mackinac Center for Public Policy. 140 West Main Street, P.O. Box 568, Midland, MI 48640. Tel: 800-224-3327; Tel: 989-631-0900; Fax: 989-631-0964; e-mail: mcpp@mackinac.org; Web site: http://www.mackinac.org/
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Mackinac Center for Public Policy
Identifiers - Location: Michigan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A