Speaking of Leading:
"Show me a guy who's afraid to look bad, and I'll show you a guy you can beat every time."
-Lou Brock, American baseball player

New center applies cost-benefit analysis to education policies

Reducing the number of students in a classroom is a popular strategy for raising test scores, and it’s one that has some evidence of success. But states trying out the idea have learned the hard way that the price tag can be hefty, leaving some policymakers to wonder, “Was it really worth the expense?”

Now the Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, can help. Launched last year by a pair of economists, the center specializes in calculating and comparing the long- and short-term costs—and probable payoffs—of different educational strategies that promise to improve students’ lives.

“Educators never really connect the effects of education with the costs,” said Henry M. Levin, the Teachers College professor who co-directs the center with Clive R. Belfield, an assistant professor of economics at Queens College at the City University of New York. “Educators look at costs as constraints on spending and then they ask, ‘What do we know about what seems to work?’ They never seem to connect the two.”

Studies conducted by the center so far have examined the costs and benefits of preschool and dropout-prevention programs, the payoffs from state-specific investments in education in Minnesota and California, and the public savings that might result nationwide from strategies that bring the high school graduation rate for black males up to that of white males. (The answer to the last question, the economists say, is $3.98 billion a year.)

Source: Education Week, 4.8.08

*If you have ideas for Opinion Poll topic, please contact Linda Wacyk, 517.327.9268.

House challenges administration on Medicaid rules

The House voted Wednesday to block the Bush administration from cutting federal spending on Medicaid health care for the poor by $13 billion over the next five years. President Bush has threatened a veto, but supporters have more than enough votes in the House to override him, and maybe in the Senate, too.  Two thirds of the Republicans joined every voting Democrat in the 349-62 vote to impose a one-year moratorium, through next March, on seven rules changes that the administration argues are needed to rectify waste and abuse in the state-federal partnership to provide health care to the poor.

There’s treasure in them thar websites!
Ricki Chowning, REMC Association of Michigan

Do you sometimes feel like a modern-day prospector digging in the dirt for nuggets of gold on the Internet? With over one-hundred-million websites and thousands of new sites created every day, the numbers become almost irrelevant.

Although the methods for determining these statistics are often hotly contested, our own experiences tell us that there exists an amazing amount of information out there ready for mining. There’s a vast amount of glitter and dross out there as well, but today I’d like to share several specific sites with great resources and research for you to use.

• EDUCAUSE
• Route 21
• The Pew Internet and American Life

EDUCAUSE is a website whose mission is “to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology.”

There are rich resources to be found for K-12 administrators and educators on this site, specifically in the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiatives (ELI) section. ELI contains papers, research, videos and podcasts on learners, learning principles, learning technologies and other ELI resources.

One series is 7 Things You Should Know. The monthly pieces provide “quick, no-jargon overviews of technologies and related practices that have demonstrated or may demonstrate positive learning impacts.” If you need to explain a new learning technology or practice quickly and clearly, check out this section. If you’re new to this site, start at this section.

Also check out the videos and podcasts--some created by EDUCAUSE and others contributed by institutions—all for downloading and use on topics such as the net generation, network security, mobile technologies, adult learners, and many more! The recently published 2008 Horizon Report describes six areas of emerging technology that will have significant impact on education within one to five years. The 2008 report focuses on the following topics: Grassroots Video, Collaboration Webs, Mobile Broadband, Data Mashups, and Social Operating Systems.

If you’re not familiar with some of the terms just mentioned, don’t falter in your quest for understanding this area of emerging technologies—they are already being used in Pre-K-12 education in more familiar terminology such as i Phones, blogs, UTube & wikis. All resources on the site--podcasts, videos, papers, reports—are free for downloading and use.

Route 21 is a one-stop shop for 21 st Century skills-related information, resources and tools.

Sponsored by the Partnership for 21 st Century Skills, the site has research, lesson plans, state resources, papers and much more centered around Life and Career Skills, Learning and Innovation Skills and Information, Media and Technology Skills. The website is designed to provide extensive information on identifying the skills themselves with support materials in assessment, professional development, curriculum and instruction standards, and learning environments. The site drills down to detail that allows educators to specifically select discrete skills with a huge amount of supporting documentation.

The site contains numerous white papers that give excellent overview of 21 st Century Skills components. One such example is the white paper on Learning Environments. Start here and you get a glimpse of the quality of resources on this site. Bookmark this site and revisit it soon.

The Pew Internet and American Life Project is a research site with data and research reports on all facets of the internet—both in personal and work use.

As you scan the research reports, you will see a broad scope in content. The four most recent reports (all published within the last three months) are Mobile Access to Data and Information, Online Shopping, Internet and Politics and Information Searches That Solve Problems. This mini-list is a good picture of the kind of research done by the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

One feature on the home page is Recent Trends. Two reports are currently lodged there:

• “Who’s Online?” The Demographics of Internet Users
• “Online Activities” This site covers research from all facets of American life; crossing age, demographic and ethnic groups.

One last example, “Teens and Social Media,” describes how teens are immersed in the conversation nature of technology.

You can sign up on the site for emails that notify you of new reports.

At the April 22 MACUL Educational Technology Coordinators’ Conference at Macomb ISD, keynote presenter Elliot Solloway addressed the topic of Mobile Technologies; how they are changing teens’ communication styles and skills and how will schools embrace this challenge.

Please contact your local REMC Director if you would like more information about these resources. If I can personally be of assistance, please email me at rchowning@remc.org.

Nominate an outstanding Michigan history teacher for Odyssey Award

The Michigan Historical Center Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Odyssey Award, given annually to up to three exceptional teachers of Michigan history. Award recipients will receive a $500 cash gift and an engraved plaque at special recognition ceremonies. Nomination forms are available on the Odyssey website at www.michigan.gov/jingleball.

All Michigan history educators are eligible for the award. Nominees will be judged on their depth of knowledge about Michigan history, leadership in teaching others about Michigan history, and their creative teaching methods.

Michigan School Support Staff Week from April 21-25, 2008

Michigan School Support Staff Week serves as a fitting time for schools and communities to appropriately recognize School Support Staff and the vital role they play in the success of the learning community.

Great Lakes Green announces call for entries for its 2008 Student Home Design Competition

Middle and High school students can earn up to $3,000.

Registration forms and entry fee are due to the Michigan Association of Home Builders no later than May 5, 2008!

The Michigan Association of Home Builders and Green Built™ Michigan have announced a call for entries for the 2008 Student Home Design Competition at the Great Lakes Green 2008 conference/exhibition August 21-23 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The competition, sponsored by the Michigan Propane Gas Association, will award scholarships to students showing excellence in green home design.

“Students interested in pursuing a career in the building sciences, architecture or any construction-related field have the opportunity to learn, have fun and earn money for school,” says Rich Kogelschatz, president Heartland Builders LLC and chair of Great Lakes Green 2008. “As individuals or as a team, students will create designs that show off their vision for the future of green home construction.”

High school, vocational or trade school students as individuals or in teams of up to three are asked to design and provide illustrative construction drawings and details of a “green” built home based on the NAHB Model Green Building Guidelines. The winning individual or team will receive a $3,000 scholarship.

Intermediate/ middle school students are asked to contemplate the different aspects of building “green.” Students are asked to provide a 500-word written essay and either a conceptual sketch/illustration or collage of their “green” home. The winner will choose from a PlayStation 3 or a $400 US Savings Bond.

To learn more or to access submission forms, rules and project regulations, visit the Great Lakes Green 2008 web site at www.greatlakesgreen2008.com.

Asthma Awareness month - May

• Asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases;
• Asthma is the reason 15 million school days are missed each year and therefore has direct impact on academic performance; and
• It is critical for school leaders to be pro-active to implement policies and practices that will keep children with asthma in school and learning. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004)

Read more: www.aasa.org/focus/content.cfm?ItemNumber=8841

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day - May 8

The theme for this year's national event is Thriving in the Community, with a special emphasis on high school youth who receive the services they need are more likely to have positive outcomes such as better grades and higher rates of education and less likely to have negative outcomes such as involvement with the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

Find resources and materials to share at http://systemsofcare.samhsa.gov/nationalawareness/materials.aspx.

MASA’s regional Hall of Fame Awards were presented at MASA Region meetings during March through May. 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 2008 Hall of Fame Winners are as follows:

• Region 1 Edward H. Kukuk, Iron Mountain Public Schools
• Region 2 Ronald G. Berg, Inland Lakes Schools
• Region 3 Dr. Mike Washburn, Forest Hills Public Schools
• Region 4 Thomas Gilstad, Bullock Creek Schools
• Region 5 William H. Tunnicliff, Flushing Community Schools
• Region 6 Daniel G. Pappas, Waverly Community Schools
• Region 7 Daniel C. Pratley, Ph.D., Lawton Community Schools
• Region 9 William Putney, South Lake Public Schools

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. Their names will be engraved on a permanent plaque displayed in the MASA office in Lansing .

Thank you again to all Hall of Fame winners, and congratulations on all your achievements.

Region 1

Edward H. Kukuk
Retired superintendent of Iron Mountain Public Schools
MASA member for 24 years

Edward H. Kukuk was selected for his 32 years of service to the Iron Mountain community in the role of teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. When Edward “Babe” Kukuk passed away January 8, 2006 , the community lost a giant in the education world. “His tenure in eachposition was outstanding,” said nominator Denny Chartier, current superintendent at Iron Mountain Public Schools. “He was the type of educator who could combine caring ways and sincerity with firm discipline and strong ethics, earning him the respect of students and staff for many years." Hailed as a man who always "did the right thing,” Ed exemplified the honorable characteristics that the Hall of Fame represents. The leadership he displayed and the numerous organizations and committees on which he served reflected his dedication to service in the Iron Mountain schools and community.

Region 2

Ronald G. Berg
Retired superintendent of Inland Lakes Schools
MASA member for 10 years

Ronald G. Berg was selected for outstanding leadership as an administrator at Inland Lakes Schools and for his continued involvement in education. Berg has served as Interim Superintendent at Vanderbilt Area Schools and Littlefield Public Schools . He's served as coordinator of transition services for students with special education services at COPESD. At present Berg is supervisor of student teachers for Lake Superior State University and Spring Arbor University . Ron shows his commitment to community and service by his active involvement with Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Inland Lakes Educational Foundation, Indian River Kiwanis, Baraga Broadcasting Board and the Tuscarora Township Committee.

Region 3

Dr. Mike Washburn
Retired superintendent of Forest Hills Public Schools
MASA member for 28 years

Dr. Mike Washburn was selected for his continued leadership and service to schools and his community. While superintendent of Forest Hills Public Schools, Dr. Washburn was considered a leader among his peers. “He was an excellent communicator and had a long tenure (21 years) in a district known for high standards and expectations.” said MASA Region 3 president Roxanne DeWeerd. While at Forest Hills , he was able to pass several bond issues and an enhancement millage. In his retirement, Dr. Washburn continues to work with over 50 school districts, assisting boards of educaiton with goal setting, governance, superintendent searches and personal audits.

Region 4

Thomas Gilstad
Retired superintendent of Bullock Creek Schools
MASA member for 7 years

Thomas Gilstad was selected for his continued leadership and service to schools and his community. Tom Gilstad is an educator who has devoted his entire adult life to the wellbeing of students and his community. He has served Bullock Creek Schools in almost every capacity possible during his 31 years of service. “Throughout his long and successful career, Tom embodied a positive attitude about students and public education,” said MASA Region 4 President Charles Schnetzler. “Tom was a long-time member of MASA and is still active in Region 4 activities for retirees.” Gilstad has served as a suporter and mentor for succeeding generations of administrators, including those that followed him as Superintendent. He has also served on numerous boards and has participated in many civic activities, including Dow Corning Community Advisory Board an the West Midland Family Center Board.

Region 5

William H. Tunnicliff
Retired superintendent of Flushing Community Schools
MASA member for 28 years

William H. Tunnicliff was selected for continued leadership and service to schools and to the Flushing community. While Bill Tunnicliff was superintendent, he served as a MASA Region 5 officer from 1986-1990. He served on the MASA Legislative Committee, serving as chair from 1989-1994. Bill was known as a strong proponent of SAPAC (School Administrators Political Action Committee) and served on its board from 1990-1994. During his superintendency at Flushing Public Schools, Bill was active in the Flushing Rotary Club. He also continued his leadership role after retiring, working with the Middle Cities Educational Association. “Bill's understanding of the political process has been extremenly helpful as he monitored and lobbied for or against legislation related to educational issues,” said Region 5 president Ralph Coaster. Understanding the need for school leaders to become involved in running for state office and supporting those in office who were advocates for education, Bill took an active role in the Heroes of Pubic Education (H.O.P.E.). He was an active board member for the cause.

Region 6

Daniel G. Pappas
Retired superintendent of Waverly Public Schools
MASA member for 4 years

Daniel G. Pappas was selected for his K-12 work as well as his outstanding efforts on behalf of the Michigan Institute for Educational Management (MIEM). As associate executive director for MIEM, Dan has been a proponent and energizer to help school leaders get more from the association’s professional development conferences and meetings. After Dan left formal employment as a K-12 administrator, he jumped right back into serving his former peers by contributing to the Courageous Journey certification endorsement program, developing targeted administrative seminars, and turning MASA’s biannual conferences for school administrators into true learning experiences. Dan also remains an active contributor to his local Rotary, church, and community theater. “Dan has been relentless in his quest to make educational leaders more professional and inspire them to create vibrancy for kids,” said Region 6 president William DeFrance of Eaton Rapids.

Region 7

Daniel C. Pratley, Ph.D.
Retired superintendent of Lawton Community Schools
MASA member for 11 years

Daniel C. Pratley, Ph.D. was selected for professionalism and genuine care for students not only during his professional life abut also in the years since his retirement. “Dan has always been approachable and sincere,” said nominator Joe Trimboli, current Lawton superintendent. “He is always willing to listen to his colleagues and render possible solutions to their concerns.” Dan serves the State of Michigan as an Official Count Auditor, which gives him an opportunity to keep in touch with his colleagues in southwest Michigan . While tending to his tasks, he always provides a healthy perspective and suggestions for improving districts' reporting procedures. Dan completed his career as a superintendent in 2003, but remains a consummate educator and continues to keep involved thorugh various activities.

Region 9

William Putney
Retired superintendent of South Lake Public Schools
MASA member for 5 years

William Putney was selected for his continued leadership both in MASA and in education in his community. During his tenure as superintendent of South Lake Public Schools, Bill Putney served as secretary, vice-president and president of the Macomb County Association of School Administrators. He has also served as president of the Tri-County Alliance, a member of the MASA Council, an executive board member of the Metropolitan Bureau of School Studies, and the chair of the Council of Chief Negotiators. “As a leader, Bill skillfully balanced decisive leadership with stakeholder input,” said Region 9 president Rick Repicky. “He was inspirational with his knowledge of the intricacies of current events and wise in his ability to prioritize issues that commaned regional attention. The community of St. Clair Shores owes much gratitude for Putney's community service that continues into his retirement.”

Mark your c alendars for MASA President’s Installation Luncheon

This year's MASA President’s Installation Luncheon for 2008-2009 President, Craig Douglas, is scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2008, 11:30 a.m. at the Saginaw Valley State University.  Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this important event. Formal invitations for the Installation ceremonies will be mailed in mid-May.

If you have any questions, please contact Kristy Warner at the MASA office at 517.327.9262.

Watch for MASA Ballots in the mail

Watch for the MASA Election ballot for MASA Executive Board Officers to arrive in early May.  Also included will be a separate ballot to vote for the Proposed Constitutional changes, outlined in the recent run-off ballot mailing.  Please note the ballots need to be postmarked by midnight on May 15, 2008.

At this year’s MASA Distinguished Administrators’ Luncheon, 13 new MASA members were inducted into the Winners’ Circle. These members were honored by the Membership Services Committee for initiating a unique, successful program or implementing an innovative idea that has had a significant, positive impact on their school districts that can be used by other districts across the state. This year’s inductees include:

Richard Weigel, Ypsilanti Public School District, Region 8

Critical Friends Groups

The Critical Friends Groups Program Richard Weigel established Critical Friends Groups at YPS as an approach to professional development, designed to focus on teaching techniques and what will improve student achievement. The CFG has allowed educators to participate in activities that build trust among colleagues; examine student work; discuss research and data as it relates to student learning and teacher practices. Mr. Weigel has enthusiastically tackled the task of curriculum mapping and providing teachers with sample lesson plans that ask “the essential question” and provide for pre and post assessment testing. As a result of the Critical Friends Groups, student test scores are improving and Mr. Weigel’s standard and philosophy that “Failure is Not an Option” is changing the culture from one of complacency or blame regarding poor student achievement to one of taking responsibility. He has begun to line up the arrows so they are pointing in the same direction and to measure everything he does by the question “Will it improve student achievement?” He is also a national trainer for the CFGs and in the summer of 2007, he provided instruction to staff of neighboring school districts, including Ann Arbor and Saline. These schools have adopted and are now using the CFG format for professional development.

Contact Richard Weigel at 734.714.1205 or rweigel@ypsd.org; jhawkins@ypsd.org

Members in the News...

Michigan schools embrace wind power, biodiesel

The Laker School district near Pigeon, Michigan has gone green. One school powers itself with wind turbines, and students soon will press oil from soybeans and sunflowers for biodiesel. The Laker district's efforts are saving money — and preparing kids for green careers. You can hear how MASA member and superintendent Bob Smith is saving money by joining the effort!

National Public Radio: Morning Edition, 4.4.08

MDE news:

No appropriation of Title V, Part A funds

Recently MDE received a letter from U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary Kerri L. Briggs, Ph.D. notifying us that Congress passed legislation funding NCLB without appropriating any funds for Title V, Part A. Dr. Briggs noted that this raises questions about the use of the transferability authority. She clarified that a state and eligible districts may continue to transfer FY 2008 funds to Title V, Part A. The letter provides information on this provision of Title V, Part A, as well as other flexibility provisions (Small, Rural School Achievement Program and the Rural Education Achievement flexibility (REAP-Flex)).

It is our understanding that LEAs may carry over any unused Title V funds for the current year and use the transferability provisions of Title V even though there will be no allocations to Title V, Part A in fiscal year 2008.

Corporate support agreement with MEEMIC to provide Michigan School Support Person’s school with financial support

The honor being awarded Michigan School Support Person of the Year (SSPOY) now will bring with it a financial benefit to the awardee’s school, the Michigan Department of Education announced today.

The school of the Michigan School Support Person of the Year will receive $1,500 from MEEMIC Insurance Company to be used for the advancement of education. Each of the SSPOY finalists’ schools also will receive a monetary award, up to $500 per finalist, for the advancement of education

MEEMIC Insurance Company is the leading provider of home and automobile insurance for school employees in the State of Michigan. See the attachment for further details about MEEMIC Insurance Company.

Nominations for Dorothy Beardmore Service to Education Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2008 Dorothy Beardmore Service to Education Award. The award, named in honor of Mrs. Dorothy Beardmore, who served as a member of the State Board of Education for 16 years (1985-2000), is given annually to a person for:

• Providing volunteer leadership in developing education policy, or positively impacting the education system; or
• Contributing to the improvement of education through involvement on local, state, or national commissions, task forces, or significant leadership or community organizations; and
• Volunteering at the local, state, or national level.

Guidelines can be found at www.michigan.gov/trp. Nominations are due Friday, May 23, 2008, with presentation scheduled for the June 10, 2008, State Board meeting.

Contact Mrs. Eileen Hamilton, State Board Executive, at 517.373.3900 or hamiltone@michigan.gov, if you have any questions regarding the process.

The MDE announces five state finalists for Michigan Teacher of the Year Award

The MDE has selected five state finalists for the 2008-2009 Michigan Teacher of the Year Award:

• Jennifer Haberling , Hudsonville Public Schools, Seventh Grade English Teacher at Baldwin Street Middle School

• Robert Martonen , Breitung Township Schools in Kingsford, Tenth-Twelfth Grade Biology Teacher, Kingsford High School

• Stephanie Moore , Milan Area Schools, Third Grade Teacher at Symons Elementary School

• Judith Nixon , Eaton Rapids Public Schools, High School Spanish and Japanese Teacher at Eaton Rapids High School

• Mark Oglesby , Howell Public Schools, Tenth-Twelfth Grade Social Studies at Howell High School (Parker Campus)

“All of the finalists possess the competence and dedication that are required to be effective educators and have a real impact on Michigan students,” State Superintendent Michael Flanagan said.  “Any of these educators would be an exceptional Michigan Teacher of the Year. The final selection committee will have a tough decision to make.”  

A select committee will interview the final five candidates in April. The MDE will select the winner in late May. For more information on the Michigan Teacher of the Year program, access the Michigan Teacher of the Year website at www.michigan.gov/mtoy.

"Succession planning" may ensure more leaders are up to the challenge

District leaders that more actively recruit and groom teachers for leadership positions may increase the quality of future applicants and ease transition periods, some education-leadership experts say.

"There's a perfect storm in the whole education profession, including in leadership: a massive demographic turnover, where the boomer generation is leaving and there's no intermediary generation immediately ready to take over," said Boston College education professor Andrew Hargreaves and co-author of the 2006 book Sustainable Leadership, with Dean Fink.

Succession planning “is essential to widen the applicant pool for school leadership and increase the quantity and quality of future school leaders,” argues a report to be released this week by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development comparing leadership policies and practices in 22 countries. “It is a way to counteract the principal shortages that are looming in many countries, and to ensure that there is an adequate supply of qualified personnel to choose from when the incumbent leader leaves the position.”

Yet the study, “Improving School Leadership,” found that “insufficient attention is being given to identifying and fostering potential future leaders in most countries.”

Read the article…

Source: Education Week, 4.15.08

Newsweek's  ranking of "top high schools" challenged by superintendents

Earlier in April, a group of school superintendents posted a letter to Newsweek protesting the magazine's annual ranking of "America's Best High Schools." In addition to providing their viewpoint about why the ranking is faulty and misleading, the group requested that their high schools not be included in future rankings. Check out the posting at the San Francisco schools blog.

Foster youth: 'Nothing about us without us'

A study of former foster youths in three Midwestern states found foster youths leaving the system at age 18:

• Were three times more likely than their peers who had not been in foster care to be unemployed or not in school.
• Were twice as likely to be unable to pay their rent.
• Fewer than half had bank accounts.
• Thirty percent of males and 11 percent of females had been incarcerated at least once after leaving foster care.

A survey of 237 Michigan foster youths ages 18 to 23 found similar outcomes.

• Just 12 percent worked full time.
• Just 36 percent worked part-time.
• More than half relied on public assistance.
• Forty percent said they were either homeless or had no stable housing.

You get the picture, and it isn't pretty.

The good news is that some of these foster youths are finding their voices.

Recently, 18 youth boards in 28 counties presented to the Michigan Legislature a report outlining 10 priorities to guide state policies and services for foster youths soon to leave care.

This report evaluates progress on youth boards' original 15 recommendations issued in 2005.

The report asks the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) and Michigan courts to continue working on issues critical to young adults who will soon leave or recently left foster care

Youths want to see more resources devoted to preserving families through supports that allow them to remain safely with their birth parents. If they must be removed from home, they want a "Sibling Bill of Rights" that allows them to be placed with their siblings or have structured contact with them. Youths also want a say in decisions made about their placement.

Supports to help youths learn to drive and obtain a driver's license, apply for higher education, financial aid and obtain life skills such as financial planning are critical to making the transition from foster youth to productive adult.

Niles Daily Star editorial, 4.14.08

Look at the job as CEO of nation's future
(excerpt)

By Paul D. Houston

I spent 17 years as a school superintendent and for the past 14 years I have seen significant changes in the superintendency over the past three decades.

The role of school superintendent is one of the most critical roles in American society, but it is not widely understood. Simply put, the public school superintendent is the chief executive officer of our nation's future. But the CEO role doesn't begin to capture the complexity of the superintendent's role as head of public schools that serve more than 90 percent of the children in the U.S.

Despite all [of the] expectations [placed on them], superintendents are not really in charge. They operate in a highly charged political environment that is open and transparent. They receive advice from everyone in their community who, because they have been to school, believe they know how to make schools work.

In education, accountability is centralized but authority is dispersed. The superintendent is the lightning rod for their communities' hopes, dreams and frustrations for its children. Yet over the last several decades, authority has been taken away from superintendents by school boards, teacher unions, state and national politicians, and community activist groups.

I have suggested that superintendents should stop thinking of themselves as "superintendents of schools" and start thinking of themselves as "superintendents of learning," with an emphasis on the connections and relationships they need to create and nurture. The modern superintendency isn't so much about understanding that it "takes a village to raise a child," but understanding what it takes to raise the village. Superintendents must be village builders who reach out to the community and help it understand what is at stake in creating a better future for our children. It is a tough job, but a wonderful calling.

Paul D. Houston is executive director of the American Association of School Administrators.

Read the entire column….

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer, 4.13.08

Paul Houston authors book

AASA Executive Director Paul Houston will retire from AASA on June 30, but his words will live on in a new book co-published by AASA and Corwin Press, No Challenge Left Behind: Transforming American Education Through Heart and Soul. In this provocative page-turner, Houston reflects on the state of American public education and offers his unique and often humorous insight into key challenges and opportunities facing school system leaders. You may order this book two ways:

• Join the AASA Professional Library by June 6, 2008, and the book will be shipped to you on July 1, 2008. Learn more at www.aasa.org/library.
• Order the book online at www.corwinpress.com/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book233013, by phone at 800.233.9936, by fax at 800.417.2466 or by email at order@corwinpress.com.

Green schools

Building ‘green schools’ is a new movement in creating healthy learning environments for students. AASA has compiled resources to help answer questions you might have about this phenomenon. Learn more at www.aasa.org/focus/content.cfm?ItemNumber=10224.

Arts increasingly important

An AASA joint study finds school curricula and business-training programs are not keeping pace with current workforce attitudes and needs. Learn more at www.aasa.org/newsroom/pressdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=10282

AASA Summer Leadership Institute

So That Every Child Will Learn -
Make the 2008 AASA Summer Leadership Institute a high priority in July to discuss leadership and student achievement with colleagues from different states. Join Ian Jukes, Rosa Smith, Rudy Crew, Bruce Hunter and other experts in these high-level, insightful discussions. Get details and register by May 30th to save $75.

Interim report on SES and school choice

The U.S. Department of Education has released an interim report on the implementation of supplemental educational services (SES) and school choice during 2003-04 and 2004-05. Although participation in both options increased, only small proportions of eligible students took advantage of SES or school choice: 1% of the nearly 6.2 million eligible students participated in school choice and 17% of the 1.8 million students eligible for SES participated.

The report found insufficient communication with parents as a key contributor to low participation. A parent survey conducted within eight large urban districts found that only 27% of eligible parents had been notified of the school choice option and 53% knew that their child was eligible for SES. Also, the study found that earlier parent notifications resulted in higher participation rates.

For more information:
Report Highlights
Full Report

Students want the 21st century classroom, but schools not meeting student expectations, according to national study

Results from the 5th Annual Speak Up survey, the largest annual national survey of K-12 students, teachers, parents, and school administrators, about the use of technology and science resources. Speak Up 2007 revealed a growing “digital disconnect” between students and their teachers and parents about the role of technology for learning, and how well schools are doing to prepare students for the jobs of the future.

This disconnect is evident in the fact that 66% of school administrators, 47% of teachers, and 43% of parents say “local schools are doing a good job preparing students for the jobs and careers of the future,” but over 40% of middle and high school students stated that teachers limit their use of technology in schools. Forty-five percent of middle and high school students indicated that tools meant to protect them, such as firewalls and filters are inhibiting their learning.

Some highlights

Both students and educators expressed interest in exploring online learning opportunities; however, the percentage of students with direct experience with online learning remains small (8% with school-based online class experience, and 6% with "out of school" personal experience):

• More than 33% of high school students, 24% of middle school students, and 19% of 3 - 5 grade students with no previous online class experience stated they would like to take an online class, with girls having a slightly stronger interest than boys;
• 45% of school and district administrators identified online learning as a way to boost student engagement; and,
• 33% of teachers have explored how to incorporate online learning into their classroom.

When students were asked why they would be interested in online learning:

• Over one-quarter of all students, grades 3 -12, see online courses as a way to work at their own learning pace;
• High school students were most interested in earning college credit (43%);
• Middle school students are seeking extra help in a subject (39%), and;
• Elementary students view it as a new way to learn something (31%).

One-third of teachers surveyed said they were interested in online learning for professional development - an increase of 29% from 2006 - and 26% stated that online learning is their preferred training methodology.

In addition to collecting viewpoints on teaching and learning with technology, 21st century skills and science instruction in America 's schools, this year's Speak Up surveys also polled students, parents and educators on the influence of such new emerging technologies as educational gaming, online learning, and mobile devices within learning environments.

The Cost of Copyright Confusion for Media Literacy

At a time when online digital technologies are enabling users to create and share an ever-widening array of multimedia texts, educators increasingly fear being harassed by media companies, and this is stifling innovation in the use of digital media as instructional tools, contends Renee Hobbs, of Temple University, in a March 12 article in Education Week.

Hobbs is co-author of a new report, "The Cost of Copyright Confusion for Media Literacy," that reveals media-literacy teachers are afraid to share their innovative practices with other educators, or to post materials online or distribute samples of their students’ work. This fear also prompts many teachers to deny their students the right to quote from creative expressions that are now a central part of contemporary culture when completing classroom projects and assignments. As a result, students do not learn a fundamental truth: Copyright is designed not only to protect the rights of owners, but also to preserve the ability of users to promote creativity and innovation.

Fear and misinformation also limit teachers’ use of the Internet and related digital technologies. Many instructors want to use YouTube as a classroom teaching tool, for example, but often find they can’t because it’s blocked by school filters. Some circumvent the blocks to screen videos, but remain uncertain about whether this is legal. Others warn their students not to post their video-production assignments online. As a consequence, the innovative instructional practices of media literacy—practices that combine critical analysis of media “texts” with creative media-production activities—are not being widely shared.

Hobbs says that “fair use is the venerable copyright doctrine that permits reasonable quotation of copyrighted works without permission or payment when the benefit to society outweighs the harm to the copyright holder. It is a legal doctrine that is far more available to teachers than is currently understood or practiced.”

She further contends that educators don’t have to live with the self-imposed strictures of copyright confusion. They can begin standing up for their rights as users of copyrighted material, in the same way other creative communities have. To help them, media-literacy educators are beginning the process of developing a code of practices that will articulate how fair use applies to our work. Over the next year, watch for lesson plans and multimedia curriculum materials to help teachers introduce the concepts of copyright and fair use in their classrooms.

Read the report…

Additional Learning Opportunities in Rural Areas

The Center for American Progress released a new report entitled “Additional Learning Opportunities in Rural Areas.” The report, by Roy Forbes, takes a look at an often-overlooked aspect of public education—the troubles of rural districts.

Rural, low-income students are more at risk of becoming high school dropouts than their city and suburban peers. Rural schools, especially those serving low-income areas, need the nation’s attention, but currently they are not receiving the attention they deserve.

One promising strategy that should be considered by policymakers at every level as they respond to these challenges is the expansion of learning time for all students attending schools with large concentrations of low-income students. So called “expanded learning time,” or ELT programs, when appropriately implemented, have obvious demonstrable advantages over other programs that provide additional learning time services. The problem is, ELT programs have proven difficult to put into place in rural areas.

Although limited in rural areas, these voluntary programs can have a positive impact. The keys to success are similar to those of best practices in non-rural areas. They include:

• Strong, committed leadership and quality instructional staff
• Adult-to-student ratios at levels that are low enough to make realistic the development of supportive staff/student relationships
• Emphasis on making learning engaging and exciting by providing academic- based enrichment activities while assisting students in meeting achievement standards.

Download the report (pdf)

Savvy Superintendents: Practice These Eleven Tips

Most school leaders appreciate experienced insight, and that's just what a new NSPRA resource gives to practicing superintendents. Nearly four years of work by NSPRA's Communication Accountability Program (CAP) and NSPRA's communication audit process has resulted in  Eleven Tips for Savvy Superintendents, which provides tips about communication written with superintendents in mind. Learn more: http://www.nspra.org/CMV4N3SavvySupts.htm

Source: Communication Matters for Leading Superintendents.

For superintendents wishing to subscribe (it’s free!), send your name, title, mailing address, and e-mail address to communicationmatters@nspra.org.

Promote green initiatives

Encouraging 21st century educators to LIVE GREEN, Discovery Education and General Motors will award 40 educators in public middle and junior high schools across America $1,000 each to implement inventive classroom lessons on the environment or renewable energy initiatives. In addition, the winning educators will be invited to participate in a virtual online professional development program promoting school-specific “green” initiatives. As part of the Webinar series, each grant recipient will receive a free digital camera to use in documenting his or her experience teaching environmental or renewable energy lessons.

Deadline: May 15, 2008

Click Here for More Information

Grants available for high school teachers for the environment

To help provide teachers around the country with support for their innovative work to bring environmental education into the classroom, the National Environmental Education Foundation is launching the Classroom Earth National High School Challenge - an opportunity for up to 25 teachers to secure as much as $5,000 to $10,000 in funding to bring innovative environmental themes into their coursework.

Visit www.neefusa.org to learn more and to download the application.

Allergy & Asthma resources available

The Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics recently released Reparar el AIRE Interior: En el Hogar, la Escuela y al Divertirse. It is a Spanish-language kit to help people recognize the correlation between good indoor air quality and improved allergy and asthma symptoms. This is great for school nurses or other school health providers to better communicate with Spanish-speaking families. To download the kit, go to www.breatherville.org/headquarters/hq_esp_reparar_aire.htm or contact Marcela Gieminiani, Hispanic Communication Coordinator, at mgieminiani@aanma.org.

EnviroHealth Connections provides FREE web-based resources that help students explore the significant relationship between the environment and human health on topics such as asthma and air pollution, mercury in the food chain, environmental justice and many more. Developed through a partnership between Maryland Public Television and the Center in Urban Environmental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

DOE launches new and improved ED Pubs site

The U.S. Department of Education's ED Pubs (Education Publications) website has undergone an extensive redesign. The web site combines bold colors, strong lines and a greater amount of “white space” to give it an eye-catching, modern look.

The shopping process has been improved by adopting the latest in eCommerce “shopping carts,” making it easier to order publications and provide concise, accurate shipping information.

Visit the new site at www.edpubs.ed.gov. If you had previously registered on the site, your user name and password will work and your order history is still available.

Primary source documents from American history available online

Whether you’re a history teacher or just a history buff, here’s a great new resource.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is making primary source documents and educational resources from all eras of American history available for free online. The web site receives more than 1 million visits per year, and offers a variety of free online resources to improve the study of American history.
Read the full story…

Check out the resource…

 Source: eSchoolNews.com, 4.23.08

• Site-Based Professional Development: "On a Shoe String"
  May 7, Kent ISD
• Marketing Asthma-Friendly Schools
  May 20, Webinar
• Sustainable Energy Project Development Workshop for Public Institutions
  May 22, Meadow Brook Hall
• Board Policy to Classroom Practice: Data Informed Decision-Making
  May 23, Lansing
• Michigan After-school Collaborative (MAC) Summer Summit
  May 30, Holiday Inn West, Lansing
• Michigan Small & Rural Schools Conference
  June 19, Mt. Pleasant

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