What’s cooking in lame duck:

Bipartisan legislation is intended to better identify areas where teachers are struggling and get them the training and support they need to improve. Historically, nearly all teachers have received high evaluations even though Michigan is among the bottom tier of states on national tests.

Michigan does not require school counselors to receive training on giving college advice to students.<br /> A bill now in the legislature would require such training for counselors entering the field. But with all the focus on road funding, will lawmakers get to it? </p>

Republicans are promising another effort to change the way Michigan electoral votes are apportioned in presidential races, giving Republican candidates an advantage even when most state votes go to a Democrat.

Gov. Snyder, business groups and state experts agree that more than $1 billion is needed to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads. If an agreement is not brokered in lame duck, the prospects of a deal diminish significantly in January.

Michigan currently uses a confusing, color-coded system for grading the performance of its public schools. Some lawmakers want the state to convert to an A-F grading system that they say is easier for parents and educators to understand.