Fair funding for schools, financial aid for students and calling future colleagues.

Nearly 400 messages have been sent by Michiganders to the Governor and legislative leaders, urging Michigan to prioritize fairness in opportunity and equity in school funding. Have you taken the Fair Funding Pledge?

Join the Education Trust-Midwest and others in calling for school funding that is based on the needs of the student, not the zip code where they live. Pledge to support funding equity and accountability for school spending, and urge Michigan leaders to do so, as well.

Click here to sign the Fair Funding Pledge!

Deadlines for State of Michigan financial aid for postsecondary is on March 1. Ahead of that deadline, join The Education Trust-Midwest and other Ed Trust offices, the National College Access Network and Reach Higher for a twitter chat on financial aid. Join us on February 27 at 7:00 p.m. EST using #StudentsCantWaitChat.

The Ed Trust-Midwest team is growing and we are looking for talented, dedicated and equity-minded future colleagues! Are you or someone you know interested? Find all open positions and apply online at edtru.st/MICHJOBS.

Open positions include:

• Director of Policy, Research & Practice
• Director of Communications & Marketing
• Data & Policy Analyst
• 2020 Summer K-12 Policy & Research Intern

HOUSE SCHOOL AID AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE will meet Wednesday, February 19 at noon in room 352 of the Capitol Building. Agenda: Overview of the 2021 executive budget recommedation for School Aid and presentations on school mental health services.

HOUSE HIGHER EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE will meet on Thursday, February 20 at 9:00 a.m. in room 519 of the House Office Building. Agenda: Overview of the FY 2020-21 Executive Recommendation for Higher Education and Community Colleges Presentations by the House Fiscal Agency, State Budget Office, Michigan Association of State Universities, Michigan Community College Association and Michigan Independent Colleges & Universities.

SENATE UNIVERSITIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE will meet on Thursday, February 20 at 3:00 p.m. in the Gast Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor of the Capitol Building. Agenda: testimony on student loan refinancing program by the Michigan Department of Treasury, and presentation on North American Indian Tuition Waiver Program by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.

• Why Aren’t We Paying Early Childhood Educators What They’re Worth? – Rhian Evans Allvin, EdSurge
• Dyslexia just got its first mention in Michigan law. Will it make a difference for struggling readers? – Koby Levin, Chalkbeat Detroit
• Preschoolers, older college students win in Whitmer education budget – Ron French, Bridge Magazine
• ‘Not happenstance’: Male teachers of color make a difference at Memphis schools – Laura Testino, USA TODAY