http://www.michiganedusource.org/gomasa/ldr/2006/ldr052606/ldr052606.htm
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26 May 2006 Vol. 1, No. 15
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Editor’s note: Jeff Jennette, Superintendent of Breckenridge Schools, is also a First Lieutenant in the Michigan Army National Guard. Last year, he was deployed with the 1071st Maintenance Company and was called away from school leadership from January 10, 2005 to April 13, 2006. In honor of Memorial Day, we welcomed him home and invited him to share some thoughts. Home from Iraq, back "in the trenches" By Jeff Jennette, Breckenridge Community Schools
My name is Jeff Jennette and I am the Superintendent of Breckenridge Schools, but I am also a First Lieutenant in the Michigan Army National Guard and I deployed with the 1071st Maintenance Company from January 10, 2005 to April 13, 2006. We trained in Texas and Kuwait and spent some time East of Baghdad before moving to Ramadi to finish our tour; believe it or not, even though it was a dangerous area, my troops appreciated Ramadi more than the other areas because they believed that we were truly helping with the war effort. I call the past year “a hobby that went bad,” but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. After living in this great country and knowing that the military paid for my three college degrees, I had no qualms about being deployed. However, I wouldn’t recommend taking a sabbatical in the Middle East—I am sure that there are better places to go! A lot of great things are happening in Iraq; unfortunately, our national media seems to focus on the negatives, so many will never know how good things have become there for the Iraqi people. I was the Executive Officer of the company, which could be compared to an Assistant Superintendency because my primary responsibility was managing people and resources to get the tracked (tanks) and wheeled (hummers, trucks, etc…) vehicles fixed and back on the road. I learned that I would much rather deal with children than adults because the people that I had problems with there will probably never learn a better work ethic nor the difference between right and wrong. However, many of us could probably look around our school districts and say the same thing. Furthermore, the military is based on the “Chain of Command,” but like at school, it is too seldom used; leaders get involved in trivial things that could be solved at other levels. Also, while we know documentation and honest evaluations are critical to the development of individuals with whom we work, how often do we hear criticism about staff without telling staff members that administrators are not happy with their performance? The same occurred with our soldiers in Iraq. We were together every day and supervisors could honestly evaluate them; but without counseling and honest evaluation, some soldiers never improved. I once thought that I would like to work with the military because they didn’t have a union to deal with. After my experience in Iraq, I would rather work with a union where parameters are set and, as a leader, I have something to refer to when outlining rules to the soldiers. Our return to the United States has been a great experience. I am very grateful for the patriotism that has been shown to my fellow soldiers and me. I believe that the USA has learned from the Vietnam War and no matter what people think about the conflict in Iraq, they support the troops—and that support has been overwhelming. I met a superintendent from Tennessee when I was there and he claimed that there were nine superintendents who were deployed when we were there. I can tell you that it was nice to put down our weapons and talk about school. More than anything, I learned we don’t appreciate all of the things in our lives until they are taken away. It is great to be back and, trust me, I will take the fatigue of this superintendent job because it beats life in Iraq! Jeff Jennette is Superintendent at Breckenridge Community Schools. You can contact him at jennette@edzone.net or 989.842.3182. Don’t miss this opportunity to review your own contract, learn how well it protects you and discover how it could be improved. How well does your contract prepare you for retirement? Get ideas and suggestions on how to design a complete compensation package. This workshop will also review superintendent evaluation practices that are helpful and healthy. Monday,
June 26, 2006, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Presenters: Tom Derderian, Michael R. Kluck and Associates; Jeff Rahmberg, Plante Moran; Marsha Wells, Superintendent, Grand Ledge; MPSERS Representative Tom Derderian will offer one-on-one reviews of your current contract for only $50. (Limited slots available – Click here for information and registration). Is
your district equipped to save lives? What would you do if at a school sporting event one of your students, colleagues, or a spectator suddenly collapsed and died? Unfortunately, this situation is not as improbable as it sounds. According to the American Heart Association, this happens to at least 900 Americans a day who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Unlike a heart attack, victims of SCA experience clinical death. They stop breathing; have no heartbeat and no pulse. But if an easy-to-use, lunchbox size piece of medical equipment called an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, they can be brought back to life. CPR and calling 911 may not be enough to save a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. That’s because an electrical disturbance called “fibrillation” has stopped their heart. To get the heart pumping again it must be “defibrillated” by an electrical shock which can only be delivered by an AED. Ideally
AED treatment starts within 3 to 5 minutes because, if untreated,
damage to the brain and vital organs set in as quickly as 4
minutes. With every minute that passes without defibrillation,
the victim’s chances of survival decrease by 7 to 10 percent.
Bottom line, lack of proper emergency care means most victims
of SCA die in 10 minutes. Emergency crews equipped with defibrillators
are often not able to respond quickly enough. Despite the AED’s small size and availability through the Foundation, not all schools have defibrillators available. Mr. Gillary told the Detroit Free Press that some schools have rejected the Foundation’s offer of free equipment and training because “they tell me their teachers have enough to do already, or they say their fire departments can get there quickly. I tell them, ‘you’re dead wrong.’” For more
information about how to get an AED for your school, contact
Parent Heart Watch, www.parentheartwatch.org,
at 800.345.6630. Michigan high schools should contact The Kimberly
Anne Gillary Foundation www.kimberlysgift.org,
at 248.528.0440. Other useful Web sites include:
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Join educators,
administrators, and friends for golfing, fantastic prizes, fresh
air, drinks, food, and of course fun. Sign up as a foursome
or be teamed up with others. Invite friends, colleagues, families,
or total strangers to spend the day with us. New Superintendents' conference lineup
Confirmed speakers include:
For registration information, visit www.michiganedusource.org/gomasa/NewSupt.htm. Dear Friends, Greetings from The Courageous Journey™ 2006 cohort! Our group, comprising 23 superintendents from across Michigan, embarked on this inaugural three-year voyage at the beginning of the year. Our Journey will take us through exploration of seven domains – or Points of Learning, as we call them – of the superintendency as we hone our skills as effective leaders. Through our meetings together and through a secure online engagement process developed for us, we are delving into specific areas where we hope to grow as leaders. We are also contributing to each others’ growth in areas where we have knowledge or experiences to share. Mike Koster, Superintendent, Delta-Schoolcraft ISD, sums up one of the most significant benefits of our Journey together this way: “The challenges that we are confronted with seem almost insurmountable when standing alone. The Courageous Journey helps create a power base of collaboration, information and support that strengthens all of us.” To learn more about us, check out The Courageous Journey link from the MASA web site at www.michiganedusource.org/gomasa.
All our
best, MASA President's Installation Luncheon, June 16 This year’s MASA President’s Installation Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, June 16, 2006, 11:30 a.m., at the St. Clair Inn in St. Clair. The luncheon features the Installation of the 2006-07 Executive Board officers: President Rodney Green (East China), President-elect Leonard Rezmierski (Northville), and Director Scott Dunsmore (Gobles). Mark your calendars and plan to join us for this important event. Formal invitations for the Installation Luncheon and related event have been mailed to all active, associate, and business affiliate members. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Kristy Barbour at 517.327.9262 or kbarbour@gomasa.org. Schulze
honored for diversity effort "A lot of folks thought this was (Schulze's) legacy—that he addressed those issues in a positive manner in Muskegon, and we want to see it continue," Ashby said. Schulze, who is retiring at the end of June after 14 years as superintendent, has seen African-Americans become a majority of the student body at Muskegon and has strived to promote minority employees. He also has implemented a "Changing the Odds" initiative to address achievement of students of color. Schulze
said he is "very honored" and "very pleased"
by the establishment of the fund. Janice
Brown Communicator of the Year Dr.
James Hawkins Past
MASA president Warren Fudge named Citizen of the Year "I’m so appreciative of the quality of people I’ve had the opportunity to work with," he said. He and Angie have always have always had an interest in community activities. "Without her, many things would not have been accomplished," Fudge said. "She was right along with me as a partner." They continue
their good works by supporting community programs at Sturgis-Young
Auditorium and church, among others. In 1948, Fudge drove through
Sturgis for the first time. "Sturgis is, and was, an outstanding
community," he said. Fudge has been active in the Kiwanis
Club, as past president of the Michigan Association of School
Administrators, and as a member of the Michigan Education Hall
of Fame. He has two sons and two grandsons. Retired
superintendents receive MASA’s regional Hall of Fame Awards were presented at MASA Region meetings throughout Michigan this month. The Hall of Fame Award acknowledges retired MASA members for their career-long service and their continued passion for education and community throughout retirement. The dedication of these individuals to their former schools and communities serves as a model for all administrators, and their districts are left with the impact of their efforts far longer than the span of their careers. The 2006 Hall of Fame Winners are as follows:
MASA is very grateful to these members who have taken MASA’s slogan “Your Success, Our Passion” and applied it to their career and to their lives. These individuals have influenced the lives of many children, colleagues, and friends, and their work and accomplishments will not be forgotten. Thank you again to all Hall of Fame winners, and congratulations on all your achievements. Mr. Webster D. Morrison was nominated for his outstanding leadership and dedication to school and community. Mr. Morrison was recently honored by the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District Board of Education with a Resolution of Recognition and Appreciation for his 58 years in public education; 30 years as a coach, principal, and superintendent; and 28 years as an EUPISD pupil accounting auditor. To this day, "Web" can be found at nearly every athletic event home and away. There are personal testimonies of hundreds of Pickford Alumni whose lives he has influenced, many through assisting with scholarship and job placement. Mr. John Walkley received his award for his selfless act of service to his former school district. Mr. Walkley saw a school district he loved going under, and decided to step up and volunteer (with no pay) to be the Interim Superintendent of Houghton Lake Community Schools. In the first two weeks, Mr. Walkley helped the Board to come together to revise the budget and determine the necesary lay-offs to avoid closing the school due to lack of funds. In one month Mr. Walkley helped the district to develop a turnaround plan and submit it to the state as well as find a replacement Superintendent. As Bob Jones, COOR ISD Superintendent stated, "It was a labor of love. No one could have done anything more or better." Dr. George Woons was selected for his 40 years of educational leadership. Dr. Woons served in Kent County for 30 years, 17 of which were as the Kent ISD Superintendent. He has served on the Heart of West Michigan United Way, Kent County Family & Children's Coordinating Council, and the AIDS Foundation of Kent County. He is past president of MAISA; and has also served on the boards of the American Association of Education Service Agencies, North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, SET-SEG, and the Michigan Congress of School Administrators. Dr. Phil Hartman was nominated for an educational career that spanned over three decades. Dr. Hartman has served in the capacity of Director of Community Services in the Flint areas and as Superintendent of Schools in the Saginaw area. During his career, he provided leadership to his professional organizations at both the state and national levels. He served as an officer at the state level of the Michigan Community Education Association, including two terms as President. In addition, Dr. Hartman has served as MASA co-chair of the Educational Leadership Committee, as Council member, as MASA Region 4 President, and a member of the Political Action Committee. Since his retirement, Dr. Hartman has remained active in Region 4 and in his community, where he is involved in many programs raising money for children and education. Mr. Burdette W. Andrews is remembered for his incredible 61 years of service as superintendent. Fifty-six of those 61 years were served at Vandercook Lake School. Mr. Andrews was the longest-serving superintendent in the nation until his 2002 retirement at age 94. Mr. Andrews was also involved in the Michigan White House Conference on Education; was a charter member and officer of the State School Aid Equalization Study Group; served on the Executive Council of the Cascades Conference; and was active in the creation of the Jackson County Teacher's Credit Union, among other things. Burdette W. Andrews passed away on March 8, 2005, but his legacy lives on at the Vandercook Lake High/ Middle Schools, otherwise known as the “Burdette W. Andrews Campus.” Dr. Thomas D. McLennan as a Superintendent was an inspirational leader who presided over the Dearborn Public Schools population explosion and created a welcoming environment for many students from various cultures. Upon retirement, Dr. Thomas McLennan remained involved in education. If you were to call Tom McLennan today, you would find him in his office working on behalf of the school districts in southeast Michigan. This MASA Hall of Fame nomination simply scratches the surface of his great career and contribution to education. C. Robert Maxfield served as Superintendent of Schools for the Farmington Public Schools District from 1994 to 2005. Before coming to Farmington, he served for six years as Superintendent of Berkley Public Schools. After ten years of Dr. Maxfield's inspired leadership, Farmington Public Schools is positioned to be the best in the state and nation at ensuring each and every child achieves the highest degree of academic success. Bob Maxfield exemplifies all that is good about leadership in public education and can be confidently held as a role model for what men and women can achieve in this field. Mr. Maxfield now serves on the faculty of the Oakland University. Regions Present Champion for Children Awards Each year MASA regions present their own Champion for Children Award to an outstanding member of their community who has had a positive impact on education in their region. This year’s recipients are no exception. Region
1 Matt Houle Region
1 presented its award to Matt Houle.
Mr. Houle is the High School Activities Region
2 couldn’t limit their choice to only one
Champion for Children, so it presented awards to two different
recipients: George Johnson and Amy
Derrer. Mr. Johnson is Director of Planning and Finance
at COOR ISD, and Ms. Derrer is the Mancelona Communities in
Schools School Liaison. "Amy Derrer is and has been the
most committed person in our community for children,”
said Matthew J. Miller, Superintendent of Mancelona Public Schools.
“To name just a few of her contributions, she is co-chair
of the Executive Board for Communities in Schools, a volunteer
coach for Pop Warner cheerleading with over 50 participants,
and she is also a volunteer coach for the elementary and middle
school basketball program and also for Little League. Amy was
nominated for her tireless energy and devotion to the young
people of our community." Region 3 will present its award to Robert Brenner, a retired superintendent from Allegan County ISD. "Bob has dedicated 40 years to the educational profession,” wrote his nominators. “As the Superintendent of the Allegan County ISD, Bob was the driving force behind the Early Education Program, which is recognized nationally as an exemplary program. He also was responsible for the implementation of the Allegan County Literacy Initiative, whereby all local districts are committed to having all children reading at grade level by the end of third grade." Region 4 presented its award to Brian Stadler. Mr. Stadler is the President of Wolgast Corporation and works in Construction Management Services. "Wolgast Corporation has sponsored numerous projects for educational organizations throughout the state,” wrote his nominator, region president Gary Allen. “In addition to their numerous donations they have assisted many districts in the running of successful bond issue campaigns and following the campaigns the successful construction of many school projects.” Region 5 presented its award to Thomas Kling. Mr. Kling is the Sergeant from the Macomb County Sheriff Department. "As a member of the Macomb County Sheriff Dept., Tom volunteered to teach the DARE Program to students in Memphis,” writes region president Dennis D. Guiser. “He coached the youth basketball program and organized benefit fund raisers for Project Graduation. He has sponsored student trips to Pistons and Tiger games and even coaches Jr. Varsity Basketball. Tom is a true Champion for Children.” Region 8 presented its award to Donald Harkness. Mr. Harkness is a lifelong Milan resident who is very active in the community, and a retired business owner. He was one of the founders of a very popular program called the Health Awareness and Action in Milan. "Don is a very generous, unselfish, modest individual,” writes Dennis M. McComb, Superintendent Milan Area Schools. “He cares deeply about children and the community. He is a very worthy candidate for the MASA Regional Champion for Children Award.” Region 9 presented its award to Sheriff Mark Hackel from the Macomb County Sheriff Department. Mr. Hackel has earned recognition for his continuing efforts in the protection of the county’s youth. “Sheriff Hackel continues to distinguish himself as a proponent for the protection and nurture of our youth,” writes region president William Putney. “Specifically, he has released personnel to conduct drug sweeps, terror threat assessments, mock disaster trials, etc. Additionally, he has repeatedly volunteered to speak to assemblies of students and parents regarding school and law enforcement relationships. At a time when governmental agency leaders are repeatedly criticized for an unwillingness to work together, it is reassuring to know I have access to Sheriff Mark A. Hackel.” Region 10 presented its award to Helen Moore, a retired state of Michigan employee. Ms. Moore is being recognized for her relentless devotion to the children of Detroit. “For more than 30 years, Ms. Helen Moore has been a tireless advocate for children, wrote William F. Coleman, General Superintendent Detroit Public Schools. “First with Black Parents for Quality Education and now with the Keep the Vote, No Takeover Coalition, Ms. Moore educates her community on school district policy, student rights, and other education-related legal issues and parental involvement efforts. Ms. Moore earned a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University and a juris doctorate from the Detroit College of Law. She is proud of her personal achievements, but even more proud of the thousands of children that she has helped along the way.” Congratulations to all of this year’s regional Champion for Children recipients, and our thanks for their tremendous effort and dedication in enriching the lives of children and their communities as a whole. Their contributions and leadership have enhanced children’s opportunities for success and achievement. Superintendent of the Year nominations It’s time to begin thinking about potential nominees for the MASA/AASA Superintendent of the Year Award. And while you’re thinking, why not consider nominating yourself? This year’s theme is An Emerging Vision of Leadership. There has been some confusion about the Superintendent of the Year process in recent years, so here is some information we hope will clarify what is required. Complete descriptions and timelines, along with the appropriate forms, are located on the MASA website under “Resources.” Click on “Awards, Superintendents, then Superintendent of the Year. Three levels of recognition are possible for Michigan superintendents: regional, state, and national. Regional winners are selected by committees appointed by the MASA region presidents. State winners are selected from among the pool of region winners by a committee comprising various Michigan associations, including MEA, AFT, MSBO, MASB, MEMSPA, and MASSP. One national winner is selected by AASA from among the state winners. Anyone can nominate a superintendent for this program. Most often, nominations come from a school board member, parent, community leader or another superintendent. Those nominating a candidate for the National Superintendent of the Year Program should complete the “For Nominators Only” sheet in the application forms. All nominees, no matter what level of recognition they aspire to, then must complete the same set of application forms. This application process is extensive and rigorous, so be prepared to support your nominee through the process. Forms can be found at both MASA’s site and at AASA. This year marks the 20th year of the National Superintendent of the Year Program, co-sponsored by ARAMARK and AASA. Nomination brochures have been mailed to all public school board presidents, so if you plan to nominate a colleague, be sure to check with their board president so you can work together. An invitation to participate will be mailed to all public school superintendents in late May. Nomination forms are due to AASA by July 30 and the completed application packets are due to AASA postmarked by Sept. 30, 2006. Dr. Carl William Brautigam, 91, a resident of Ridgefield, CT since 2001 and former longtime resident of Michigan, died on Sunday, May 7 in Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy Close Brautigam, and a son, Richard C. Brautigam. Dr. Brautigam received his education in Michigan, having graduated from Adrian High School and in 1932 and from Adrian College (cum laude). He received his master’s of education degree in 1936 and earned a doctorate of education in 1959 at Michigan State University. Dr. Brautigam began his teaching career in 1936, both as a teacher and high school principal until 1948. From 1948 until 1969, he held the position of superintendent of schools in Vermontville, Belding, Dowagiac, and Albion. From 1969 until 1980, he was an associate professor of education at Michigan State University. Prior to his retirement in 1991, Dr. Brautigam was a consultant to the Michigan Association of School Boards. Surviving is his son and daughter-in-law, a grandson, a granddaughter, and five great-grandchildren. Contributions in memory of Dr. Brautigam may be made to the Memorial Fund at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 36 New Canaan Road, Wilton, CT 06897. A memorial service is to be held at St. Matthew’s Church on Saturday, June 3, at 10 a.m. Arrangements are by the Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church Street, Georgetown. William Young, retired Bentley school superintendent, died of cancer May 21, 2006 at the age of 77. Young was known for his integrity, community involvement and steadiness in the midst of political controversy. The charter he helped write as a member of the Burton Charter Commission was adopted by residents when Burton became a city in 1972. Growing up in the Swartz Creek School District, he married childhood sweetheart Noreene Thompson in 1950 after graduating from Michigan State University. Later that year, he joined the Army and was stationed in Japan. Bentley was the third school district to employ Young, who moved to the district in 1961. Young retired in 1992 after 31 years at Bentley, including 25 years as superintendent.
Scott Bednarski, a former Bentley student who now teaches in the district, remembers Young for his commitment to staying in touch with students as scorekeeper for Bentley basketball games and announcer for varsity football games. Young's family has asked that contributions be made to the Young Readers Book Club at Barhitte Elementary School or a charity. |
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Congratulations to Michigan’s 2005-06 Blue Ribbon Schools The State Board of Education announced earlier this month that it will award Michigan Blue Ribbons to eight middle and high schools this year, recognizing outstanding improvement strategies throughout the state. "The Blue Ribbon program's selection committee chose these schools as meeting some very tough criteria in delivering quality education to their students," said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus. "All these schools, their teachers, students, parents, and communities should be very proud of their accomplishment." To ensure
a fair and equal selection system, elementary and secondary
schools compete separately on alternate years. Secondary schools
were eligible to apply for the Blue Ribbon award this year.
Michigan's Blue Ribbon Exemplary Schools for 2005-06 are: Big
Rapids Public Schools, Big Rapids High School Grandville
Public Schools, Grandville High School Lake
Orion Community Schools, Waldon Middle School Rockford
Public Schools, East Rockford Middle School Swan
Valley School District, Swan Valley High School Utica
Community Schools, Dwight D. Eisenhower High School Warren
Consolidated Schools, Grissom Middle School Draft High School Science Content Expectations for Public Review The Office of School Improvement (OSI) presented the first draft of the High School Science Course Content Expectations at the State Board of Education meeting May 9. The OSI has posted a PowerPoint with information about the draft content expectations on its webpage at www.michigan.gov/osi. (May require the free 2003 PowerPoint Viewer.) St.
Clair County Math/Science Director Receives St. Clair County RESA Math and Science Center Director Dr. Terry E. Parks' passion and innovation in teaching math and science has earned him the State Board of Education's Dorothy Beardmore Service To Education Award. The award is named after the late Dorothy Beardmore, past President and member of the State Board of Education from 1985-2001. The award was announced at Monday evening's St. Clair County RESA board meeting. The Beardmore Service to Education Award is given to the person whose efforts on behalf of education and education reform are deemed to be of outstanding benefit to the quality of education for all Michigan students. "Dr. Parks truly exemplifies the hard work and commitment to improving public education that so defined Dorothy Beardmore," said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus. "He has had, and continues to have, an important and positive impact on educators, students, and the fields of math and science education." An educator for 44 years, Parks has been in his current position since 1994. He has developed and initiated a number of highly-acclaimed math and science programs in St. Clair County that have laid the groundwork for improved learning and teaching in St. Clair County and across Michigan. As the director of the county's Math and Science Center, Dr. Parks provides all schools in the service area his "how to" book on science projects that is an invaluable resource, especially to parents providing them with guidelines to assist their children in their scientific pursuits. The MASTER program is an innovative specialized program, where high school students meet during the summer and throughout the school year, learning more about physics, chemistry, biology, and scientific research. School Improvement Framework video available online The video of the April 27, 2006 School Improvement Conference is now accessible from the Michigan Department of Education website at www.michigan.gov/schoolimprovement or directly from www.mistreamnet.com. For those of you who may be interested in purchasing a video copy of the conference, please contact Brenda Hose at 734.334.1437, or email her at hoseb@resa.net. The charge is $10/item plus $4.00 per order S&H (limit of 10 items/S&H charge). |
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AASA Summer Leadership Institute — Confronting the Thunder and Lightning
More than 100 school system leaders are already registered for this powerful event and the hotel guarantee deadline is May 30. So don’t delay registering to take advantage of close-in housing for this conference. View the agenda and program details, as well as housing and registration information. National conference on education hosted by AASA New
Orleans, LA Less than 18 months after Hurricane Katrina, AASA will proudly host the 2007 National Conference on Education in the heart of New Orleans. In the wake of Katrina in September 2005, superintendents in the Gulf States lost homes, school buildings, staff, principals, teachers and students. School leaders, many of you included, took in children who lost their schools, homes and in some cases, everything. These superintendents, acting as shepherds, providers and leaders, represent the best of our profession. In their spirit, we are going to New Orleans in celebration, unity of purpose, strength and, of course, leadership. Each month throughout the rest of the calendar year, we’ll bring you more information about speakers, topic sessions, tracks and the special projects that are being planned now for the AASA Conference. Also, MASA’s Michigan Reception will be held on Saturday, March 3rd at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Further detail will follow. Visit the AASA website to see videos of today’s downtown activity in New Orleans at www.aasa.org/nce. The season has opened for many members’ membership renewals. Look for a check-off on your MASA membership renewal notice in June. Renewal in both MASA and AASA is important for you to continue:
AASA
Survey answers the question, Where
do you see yourself in 5 years? |
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How
to Combat Senioritis
Senioritis attacks high-achieving, average and struggling students
alike. By this time in the school year, most college-bound seniors
have turned in their applications and received their acceptance
letters. Many of them understandably feel entitled to a little
downtime. The 30% of seniors who aren't headed for higher learning
may not have figured out what they want to do after graduation,
but they are pretty sure that it won't require algebra or Shakespeare. “Senior year in the U.S. has been based on the 19th century premise that 80% of students will go back to the farm after graduation," says Stanford University education professor Michael Kirst, who co-wrote the 2004 book From High School to College. "In small ways, people are starting to reclaim senior year." Those efforts include internships that keep seniors motivated by allowing them to explore their passions, dual-enrollment programs on college campuses that offer a sneak preview of the higher-education experience and tests designed to alert those likely to have trouble keeping up in college that they should buckle down.
The best cure for some cases of senioritis is a strong dose
of reality. More than 50% of students entering college in the
U.S. require remedial course work once on campus. Two years
ago, the California State University system launched the Early
Assessment Program (EAP), which encourages 11th-graders to take
a test to gauge their college readiness in English and math.
Some juniors who expect to coast to college find out they will
have to work even harder their senior year to improve the skills
they will need to thrive in a Cal State school. Article reports superintendents often enjoy "hidden" perks An Atlanta Journal-Constitution inquiry into the compensation of Atlanta-area superintendents reveals that contracts often don't put a price tag on nonsalary benefits, such as car allowances and unused sick day buyouts. Some observers are troubled by the lack of transparency in what constitutes most districts' largest single personnel expense. Superintendent contracts, the author says, rarely detail the total price of extras. Because dollar figures are missing or incomplete, most contracts fail to reveal superintendents' bottom-line cost, the AJC found. To get the full picture, the AJC used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain an itemized list of all compensation paid to superintendents in 2005.
"You start to tread into some dangerous territory when
you make [superintendents' contracts] so exotic and too difficult
for the average person to understand," said Tim Callahan,
spokesman for the Professional Association of Georgia Educators,
a teacher group. "It needs to be real straightforward and
clear-cut what the package is, because taxpayers demand that
accountability, and deserve it." New Jersey Commission finds questionable and "hidden" pay, perks for top school officials New Jersey’s State Commission of Investigation (SCI) last month issued their final report of a systemic investigation into questionable and hidden compensation for public school administrators and called for sweeping reforms to ensure full public disclosure, control and oversight of pay and benefit practices that cost New Jersey taxpayers millions of dollars every year. “Lucrative provisions of privately negotiated deals enable superintendents and others at the top tier of public school administration to receive compensation and benefits often well beyond the reach of any other class of public-service employees,” the report states. “It is not unusual for these arrangements to be structured such that they continue to benefit recipients with costly and, in some cases, irregular pensions and perquisites well into retirement.” These
abuses, the report concludes, are rooted in “a system
that seems designed to The
Commission referred its findings to the Office of the Attorney
General of Two Michigan teachers among nation's top educators Congratulations to mathematics teacher Cindy Hasselbring, from Milan High School, and science teacher June Teisan, from Harper Woods Secondary School. Both educators received this month the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the Nation's highest honor for teaching in these fields. Hasselbring and Teisan are among only 100 7th-12th grade teachers nationwide to receive the prestigious award. In a citation given to Hasselbring and Teisan, President Bush commended them "for embodying excellence in teaching, for devotion to the learning needs of the students, and for upholding the high standards that exemplify American education at its finest." For more information about the award, visit www.paemst.org. |
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Good Stuff — Success in the Middle On May 2, the National Middle School Association (NMSA) announced a national campaign to build collaboration among educators, families and policymakers at the federal, state and national levels and become more involved in middle level education. NMSA also released Success in the Middle: A Policymaker's Guide to Achieving High Quality Middle Level Education, which includes five goals for policymakers to reform middle level education. Ready for College and Ready for Work: Same or Different?
Do college-bound high school students need more rigorous classes
than their non-college bound peers? Not any more, according to
a new study from ACT, which finds that the 21st century workplace
requires most of the same knowledge and skills as colleges. In
most (90 percent) of profiled “good jobs” with family-supporting
wages and room for growth, reading and math are increasingly necessary
in a high-tech global economy. The report offers recommendations
for policymakers and schools to help all students leave high school
ready to succeed. 2006 'Technology Counts' survey shows lag in school data use The federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has led to a sharp rise in the collection of school and student achievement data. But states need to do more to harness the power of these data to inform instruction, a new report suggests. Michigan earned a "C" in the report — slightly below the average state score for its progress in several areas of technology policy and practice: access, use, and capacity. The report, "Technology Counts 2006," from the publication Education Week and its Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, is the ninth in a series of annual reports examining the use of technology in the nation's schools. In this year's version, called "The Information Edge: Using Data to Accelerate Achievement," researchers also examined the structure and quality of states' computerized data systems, and how these systems are being used to drive student achievement, by surveying state education officials from February to April. Here are some of the major findings from this year's survey:
Read the full "Technology Counts 2006" report. Source: eSchool News staff and wire service reports, May 5, 2006 Michigan Youth Taking Fewer Health Risks A new report from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the number of Michigan teens engaging in risky behaviors and unhealthy habits has dropped over the past four years, particularly in the use of tobacco and alcohol. The Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is part of a nationwide surveying effort led by the CDC to monitor students' health risks and behaviors. It was conducted in the spring of 2005. The Michigan YRBS is a collaborative effort between the Michigan Department of Education and the Department of Community Health. The survey showed that since 2001, the percentage of Michigan high school students who recently had used alcohol dropped from 46 percent in 2001 to 38 percent in 2005. Also since 2001, the percentage of Michigan teens who ever had tried smoking dropped from 64 percent to 52 percent, and the percentage of Michigan high-schoolers who smoked before the age of 13 went from 23 percent to 16 percent. This is an important threshold for smoking prevention, as youth who smoke before age 13 are more likely to continue smoking throughout their lifetime. "Smoking contributes to a variety of chronic health conditions, and the earlier we get this message to our youth, the healthier Michigan will be," Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said. "This shows that when we work hard to give our kids important information about health issues, we can make a difference that will ultimately save lives." |
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| professional development: | ||
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More SB-CEU courses available online at Michigan LearnPort Michigan LearnPort, www.learnport.org, has added more SB-CEU eligible courses to its learner catalog. As a result of positive problem-solving, the Michigan Virtual University has collaborated with the Michigan Department of Education to enable SB-CEUs to be given for e-learning professional development. Currently, there are thirty-two courses that have been approved for SB-CEUs, with more to be added. Michigan educators may take these courses at no charge; however, there may be a nominal charge for an SB-CEU transcript whenever one is requested. Recently added SB-CEU courses now available on Michigan LearnPort are four educational Strategies Online courses developed by Michigan ASCD in collaboration with Successline Inc. These Strategies Online courses focus on: 1) Classification, 2) Compare and Contrast, 3) Questioning Strategies, and 4) Vocabulary Development. Each of the Strategies Online courses qualifies for .5 SB-CEUs. The Strategies Online courses can be used for any subject. The strategies are linked to Michigan’s Curriculum Framework, including the Grade Level Content Expectations for language arts and mathematics. Strategies Online promotes subject matter mastery. Earlier this year MVU and MDE awarded grants to a number of recipients to create new online courses that will be available through Michigan LearnPort. The Coalition for Online Professional Education (COPE) was approved to develop thirteen courses including: Using Technology in the Classroom, Using the Internet to Enhance the Curriculum, Making and Using Multimedia in the Social Studies Classroom, and Information Literacy in the Elementary Classroom. Berrien ISD received a grant to create four online courses: Diversity in Michigan Schools, The Underground Railroad in Michigan, Air Zoo Science, and Technology Techniques. MASA received funds to create an online course for Data Analysis and Data Driven Decision Making. It is anticipated that these courses will be available September 2006. Michigan LearnPort is funded through federal professional development | ||
Superintendents,
pat yourselves on the back because I can tell you that I
am more fatigued after a month “in the trenches”
as a school superintendent than I was in a year of being
“in the trenches” in Iraq while helping fight
the War on Terrorism! With no disrespect to my fellow soldiers,
I must qualify that statement because over there my primary
focus was getting our mission accomplished; at the end of
the work day, I did not have to attend sporting events,
family functions, work on the year-and-a-half “honey-do”
list, etc... All of these things add to the fatigue that
our jobs give us.
Sudden
cardiac arrests often happen to adults and children who
appear to be in perfect health. Three Common Causes
of Sudden Cardiac Arrest*:
