MASA eLeader

	May 29, 2009

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Speaking of Leading:
"We said [Michigan] had to either get smart, get out [of manufacturing], or get poor. We got poor."
—Bob Ross, former state commerce director and currently superintendent of the University Preparatory Academy, in comments in the Detroit Free Press 5.17.09, related to his predictions in his 1984 report “Path to Prosperity.”

Superintendent Flanagan Gives Ok to Use "Power Standards"

Flanagan Michigan educators, along with educators from several other states, have been challenged in recent months to implement some of the highest high school graduation requirements in the nation. These standards are tied to credits aligned with a nationally vetted set of content expectations. Although this is a fitting challenge for our times, this transition from course titles and seat time to credit tied to content expectations has introduced a new way of thinking about how to develop, align, and deliver the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

After conversations with administrators and associations, I think it is important to address some of the questions, frustrations and, perhaps, misconceptions that have surrounded the implementation of the Michigan Merit Curriculum. I also intend to clarify some confusion about the purpose of the High School Content Expectations (HSCEs) and their relationship to earning the required credits toward graduation.

Michigan’s 911 high school content expectations in the areas of mathematics, social studies, English language arts, and science arose from the collective wisdom of dozens of top-notch educators and content specialists who had the very highest goals in mind for Michigan’s youth. However, some of the content expectations represent very detailed concepts, while others represent big picture ideas. The large number of content expectations has created a situation at the local level where educators are overwhelmed and not sure where to focus their curriculum design efforts.

The content expectations should serve as a guide to local districts and intermediate school districts/regional educational service agencies in the development of appropriate curriculum to meet the college and career ready goal that is reflected in the high school graduation requirements, the Michigan Merit Curriculum, and the Michigan Merit Examination. They should not be viewed as a list of items that must be checked off one by one. With only so many instructional hours available each year, we know that there is no way for schools to cover in depth every HSCE, nor should districts make that attempt.

Suggestions on Where to Start
The ACT College Readiness Standards™ document is a good starting place for making decisions on what content expectations need emphasis in the curriculum. The College Readiness Standards and Benchmarks are closely aligned with the HSCEs and are the minimum assessment standards for passing the ACT. Since the Michigan Merit Examination is largely composed of the ACT®, it is wise to identify and focus on the related HSCEs. Follow this link to access the ACT College Readiness Standards and Benchmarks™: http://www.act.org/standard/index.html

Several ISDs and school districts have already begun the work of developing “power,” “target,” “essential skills” or “focus” standards by combining similar HSCEs, grouping, or clustering the more “grain-sized” content expectations within the broader HSCEs. This approach also allows for shaping interdisciplinary learning. These power or target standards could help districts make decisions on how to award credit in that subject area.

Additionally, the development of personal curriculum options and the development of credit bearing options in instructional delivery methods like career and technical education, dual enrollment, advanced placement, and international baccalaureate programs can be facilitated when districts award credit by clustering or grouping the content expectations that align with each program.

Using the HSCEs to measure progress toward credit
We’ve heard it asked, “Where is the accountability if all local districts can determine the number of content expectations the curriculum will address or the content expectations that will be used to determine credit?”

To this question we answer, “We have great faith in our educators at the local level to design and develop a rigorous, relevant curriculum, using the high school content expectations as a guide.”

Curriculum development is always a “work in progress.” We recognize that this is especially true as we implement the Michigan Merit Curriculum. We realize that there is still much work to do at the State level to assist the local districts as they implement the Michigan Merit Curriculum in a way that meets the needs of all students. We remain committed to this assistance.

Resources
The Michigan Department of Education, along with the ISDs, have developed several useful tools and documents to help the local districts design curriculum to align with the HSCEs. Visit the MDE web site:

High school page:
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-38924---,00.html

Michigan Merit Curriculum pages:

CTE Academic Crosswalks:
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_2629_2724---,00.html

MAISA collects and posts Instructional Resources such as Power Standards, CTE Crosswalks, Personal Curriculum tools and more in its Resources section at http://www.gomaisa.org/Resources/InstructionalResources/tabid/459/Default.aspx.

Source: MDE Memo, May 8. 2009

Introduction to Influencer – The Power To Change Anything
Fall Conference keynote topic

Doug Finton Join us at MASA's 2009 Fall Conference where poignant topics, powerful speakers, and current information fill the agenda to provide participants with valuable experience worth your time away from the district. For example, Wednesday's keynote speaker, Douglas Finton, Principal Associate, VitalSmarts, presents an Introduction to the Influencer - The Power To Change Anything.

Most chronic problems that resist our best attempts at solutions do so because we lack influence. More specifically, we lack the ability to get ourselves and others to change behavior in a way that leads to more positive results – from improvements in personal health & fitness to assuring that all School Board members focus and act on the District’s shared purpose and goals.

The good news is that one set of influence strategies can enhance your ability to both motivate and enable yourself and others to change, and these same strategies can be applied to whatever challenges you might face—at home, at work, in the community, and in the world.

As a result of this session, participants will

Understand why so many change efforts fail to deliver desired results, let alone on time and on budget
Learn a research-based approach to influence challenges derived from observing the strategies and results of master influencers
Know the power of shifting the focus of change strategies from results to behavior
Have the opportunity to apply the strategies to an influence challenge of their own

I can do what?

No seat-time waiver? There’s still a lot of flexibility within the law.

According to the Michigan Department of Education, here’s a sampling of what schools can do without getting waivers and/or approvals from MDE.

Allow any high school student to take one or two online courses at any self-scheduled time and place. (mentor teacher required)
Allow any high school student to take all of his/her courses online at school with up to two of them from home.
Allow any high school student to dual enroll for all but one high school course and the high school course may be an online course.
Allow any high school student to take one or two independent study courses per semester.
Allow any high school student to take up to half of his/her courses as work-based learning.
Build project based learning courses for any high school content.
Build online project based learning courses for any high school content.
Offer college courses on the high school campus.
Create and use performance assessments to award secondary credits.
Offer flexible scheduling to high school students.
Remember: documentation is required and a conversation with your pupil accounting auditors will be helpful.

Source: MDE, 4.1.09

MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool remains fiscally strong in difficult economy

set seg The MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool recently announced that it will once again return surplus funds to Pool members. Thanks to its conservative investment strategy and strong financial health, the Pool's Board of Directors has declared a $5 million surplus. Eligible members will receive their share of the return after renewing their coverage and submitting their annual premium contributions.

How the Pool is unique
This is the 18th consecutive year the Pool has returned surplus or dividends to members. Including this year’s return, the Pool has returned $96 million since its inception. In contrast to those Michigan businesses that are struggling to survive, the Pool remains a strong, stable partner for the educational organizations we protect. The Pool is a non-profit, member-owned and-operated organization, which means we work in consultation with our members to ensure all their needs are met.

What our members appreciate
Sharing surplus funds is only one of the many benefits our more than 460 members enjoy. Other significant benefits include:

Comprehensive coverages;
Loss Control services from our professional staff of experts;
Free access to SafeSchools online employee safety and compliance training courses;
Participation in the Pool’s free Property Valuation Program; and
Premium stability.

To learn more about the Pool, contact your SET SEG Account Executive today!

1-800-292-5421

ARRA workshop provided insights into spending

ARRA More than 400 superintendents, business officials, and others packed the Kellogg Center May 26, 2009, to hear from state and national officials about uses and regulations required by the American Restoration and Recovery Act dollars flowing into Michigan.

All materials from Restore and Reform: Implementing the ARRA have been posted online.

MASA is in the process now of recording and processing dozens of follow-up questions. We plan to work together with state and federal resource persons to create a conclusive Frequently Asked Question site for you to use as you begin to implement these new funds.

Watch for the first of these to be posted in our ARRA Resource Center by next week.

Tech Tips / REMC Connected
Five Easy Web Tools for Personal and Professional Productivity

By Diane Zoellmer, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Muskegon Area ISD/REMC 4 and Ricki Chowning, Executive Director, REMC Association of Michigan.

Can you hyperlink each of the following in the list to their respective paragraph?

Collaboration Tools: Google Docs
Photos –Online Web Albums: Picasa and Piknik
Social Bookmarking: delicious
Meetings and Surveys: Doodle
Search Engines: Ask.com

Collaboration Tools - Google Docs http//www.docs.google.com
Free tools from Google offer the basics in the areas of word processing, spreadsheets and presentation tools but add the important element of easy, online collaboration. Users can upload an existing doc or start with a blank doc. Once the work is online, the author can invite others to view it or edit and/or add to it. Just having your work online so that you can access it from any computer with an internet connection makes these tools very attractive to many users - no flash drives, no need to email a document to yourself, and no need to worry about which version of the document you have! Each tool in the Google Docs suite offers some unique features. Google Spreadsheets allow the user to create a form and send it out to collect data, which is then sorted and stored in one document. In Google Presentations, the presenter can open up a live chat so that the audience can comment in a window next to the slide during a presentation. All of the components allow the author to view a revision history and to go back to any version in that history. The author also has the option to export any of the docs for use in other applications. The Google site requires a very easy login process as well as great tutorials.

Photos –Online Web Albums
Picasa http://picasa.google.com/ and
Picnik http://www.picnik.com
One of the challenges we face with the increased ease of picture taking is storage (organization) and sharing. The more pictures we take, the greater the need for an organization tool to help us find those photos later. Picasa is a free tool from Google that has two components, one that you download to your computer and one that is online. After the software is loaded on your computer, you can download your pictures into it from your camera and sort by a few different systems, including tagging. At this point you could also take advantage of some basic editing and enhancing tools in Picasa but there are other free tools that you could use that offer a great deal more. Picnik happens to be a favorite. For sharing your photos, you then upload them from your computer into Picasa Web Albums. You'll have to create a free Google account if you don't already have one. Once your pictures are online, you can choose to make them public or private. You can invite others to see them by sending out an email or you can publish the web link.

Social Bookmarking – delicious http://delicious.com/
Online bookmarking in itself is a great tool for personal and professional productivity but social bookmarking can be a tremendous tool for anyone spending any time online. If "favorites" or "bookmarks" are saved on one computer, then you can only access those favorites on that computer. By using an online bookmarking tool, favorites are saved online and the account can be accessed on any computer with an Internet connection. When favorites are saved using a social bookmarking tool, sites are "tagged" with key words. When you access your delicious account, you cannot only see the favorites that you have saved but also see how many other users have tagged these sites. This can be especially powerful because you can find view the favorites of others this way. For example, after tagging a website in Delicious, you discover that 3,187 others have tagged this same site. By clicking on the number 3,187 all of those other user accounts are viewable. You can find sites that you might not have found yet that you can use in your work.

Meetings and Surveys - Doodle http://www.doodle.com/
Think of all the time that is spent in staff meetings trying to agree on dates for meetings or functions. Doodle is a great tool that can be set up very easily. The “administrator” (the person who sets up the poll) enters a title, a description, his/her email address and name. The next step asks for dates and times; you may have up to 20 options for dates and up to four timeslots per date. When you click finish, you are emailed a participation link and an administration link. Your next step is to email the participation link to all the participants—the administrative council, department members or friends. The administration link is used to check on who has responded or to edit the poll. You will receive an email when a new participant has responded or when all participants have responded. An often frustrating task is made very easy. This tool is great to arrange dinner parties and family gatherings. A very small adjustment makes this a survey tool to select a name, a location, choice for a meal, theme, presenter, etc.

Search Engines –Ask.com http://www.ask.com/
If a user is less than skilled in surfing the web for specific information (and that includes most of us!), the search engine Ask.com is a good first place to go. You may enter complete questions, e.g. “What is the current Canadian exchange rate?”. You will then receive a list of choices that will more easily help you identify the exact information you’re looking for. This search engine filters out dated and ambiguous sites. Using the same example in google, you will have to search carefully through many sites—perhaps finding a site where the “current” exchange rate is on a site dated in 2007! Essentially, this site is a filter that directs you to the most informative and useful sites on your topic. Ask Jeeves (http://www.askkids.com/) is also a very useful site for kids; one that is often promoted for use in elementary and middle schools.

Please fell free to contact either one of us if you have questions (www.remc.org). We hope you enjoy these sites.

Early registration for MiJEC closes June 5

Do you need to have lessons that cover more than one strand? Do you know teachers who need this information? Or, do you have funds that your district needs to spend before the end of the school year?

We have the solution -
The 2nd Michigan Joint Education Conference*.
June 24, 2009, Holt High School, Holt Michigan.

This is a very affordable conference for all! For the member rate of just $49, you can attend a one day conference with OVER 65 sessions, see vendors with up-to-date information and supplies, and, the fee includes all meals!

We are excited about this year to have 11 groups, including MASA, who have joined us as partners! These partners provide speakers for the conference, help promote the conference, and help with the organization of the conference. In return for their assistance, their members are allowed to attend at the member rate.

MASA members are able to attend at the member rate. For full details, a list of the session titles and who is doing the presentation, and the registration form, go to http://www.mijec.org

Don't miss out - Early registration deadline is June 5, 2009!!
(To get to the list of sessions, click on the "speakers" tab in the upper right and select the "presenter" link).

MiJEC partners:
MAASE - MI Association of Administrators of Special Education
MAISD - MI Association of Intermediate School Administrators
MAME - MI Association of Media in Education
MASA - MI Association of School Administrators
MASCD - MI Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development
MBEA - MI Business Education Association
MCEC - MI Council for Exceptional Children
MCTE - MI Council of Teachers of English
MMSCH - MI Mathematics & Science Centers Network
MSDA - MI Staff Development Council
REMC - Regional Educational Media Centers for Michigan

*The MiJec consist of the following Stakeholders:
MSTA - MI Science Teachers Association
MCSS - MI Council for the Social Studies
MCTM - MI Council of Teachers of Mathematics
MAMSE - MI Association of Middle School Educators
MACUL - MI Association of Computer Users in Learning

Looking for ways to clean green?

Here is an excellent resource for schools and others interested in green cleaning methods. Please share with your district’s facilities team... More>

Date change! - SAPAC Annual Golf Outing, July 23, 2009

MASA news:

Tough times demand strong governance teams

Join MASA and MASB in welcoming their national directors and presidents in a workshop designed to strengthen your leadership team.

Promoting Strong Governance and Leadership Relationships for Board – Superintendent Teams: A Local and National Perspective

June 11, 2009
Radisson Hotel, Lansing

This one-day interactive session will incorporate new technologies to tap the thinking of participants and reveal what boards and superintendents really say about one another. National and state leaders will share their best strategies for building strong governance relationships and share insight into the efforts at the national level to develop excellence in school governance.

Local leaders from diverse districts will share success stories on what actually works when fostering strong board and superintendent relations.

View the agenda and register a team today!

http://www.gomasa.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=G%2b90Ywsaq6E%3d&tabid=74

Superintendent Preparation Series Academy

Hurry—deadline June 5

Michigan Institute for Educational Management and the Michigan Leadership Institute are now accepting applications for the Fall 2009 SUPES Academy.

SUPES is a comprehensive leadership development experience to prepare individuals who will be the next “class” of superintendent candidates—those considering the pursuit of positions in the year 2009 or thereafter.

The SUPES Academy will be limited to 45 qualified participants. Applicants must complete the application and include letters of nomination from their current superintendent and ISD superintendent. The nomination letters should address the applicant’s capacity to be an outstanding district leader. Each applicant must also identify a mentor who will provide coaching and feedback during the Academy experience.

Graduate credits and/or SB-CEUs may be earned for participation.

The application deadline is June 5, 2009.

Regions present 2009 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.

Tim Zimmerman- Region 1
Richard deVore- Region 2
Cyndi Blair- Region 3
Margaret Ann Riecker (Ranny) - Region 4
John Antilla- Region 5
Narda Murphy- Region 6
Charles Moden- Region 7
Alice Ferguson- Region 9

Region 1
Tim Zimmerman, Counselor at Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District
Tim Zimmerman won recognition for his tireless work for and with children to help them be successful both personally and professionally. He has held the roles of counselor, placement director, special population coordinator, as well as willingly taking on other responsibilities over the past 30 years. He is a true team player, always willing to help and meet with children at any time to coach, mentor, advise or just listen. He is an advocate for the Career Tech students in Delta, Schoolcraft, and Menominee counties; and has also been instrumental working with area business and industry, maintaining connections, relationships, and providing avenues for student training and development. “He continues to give selflessly of his time and efforts,” said nominator and Delta-Schoolcraft CTE Director Charles F. Guay.

Region 2
Richard deVore, President of the Board of Trustees of the Inland Lakes Educational Foundation
Richard deVore won recognition for his instrumental role in creating the Inland Lake Educational Foundation, which provides scholarships for graduates of Inland Lakes Schools. Mr. deVore has led the fundraising and ILEF board meeting for the last 20 years. The ILEF reached its goal to raise an endowment of one million dollars (plus) in its 20th year. “In this small economically stressed community, the scholarships are a Godsend to the students and the ILEF are able to proved approximately $45,000 worth of scholarships each year,” said said nominator and Inland Lakes Superintendent Mary Jo Dismang.

Region 3
Cyndi Blair, Lead Nurse RN-C at the Community Mental Health Center in Muskegon
Cyndi Blair won recognition for her creation of a support group for students with special needs. Blair started "No More Sidelines," originally for her special needs daughter so she could participate with sporting venues with other students with special needs. The group began with a handful of students and volunteers, and now serves nearly 200 students and families. “Individuals and organizations volunteer time and resources to provide these special kids with experiences that without this organization they might never have enjoyed,” said nominator and Reeths-Puffer Superintendent Steve Cousins said. “No person associated with NMS is compensated outside of the joy that results from taking part in bettering someone's life.”

Region 4
Margaret Ann Riecker (Ranny), President of the Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow Foundation
Margaret Ann Riecker (Ranny) won recognition for her part in making possible countless investments and initiatives that have resulted in greater opportunities for children and learners of all ages. These initiatives include the establishment of prenatal and postnatal programs, all strategically supported to help all children have the best and healthiest start in life. “Ranny Rieker personifies a life as a champion for children,” said Region 4 president, and St. Charles superintendent Michael Wallace.
Nominators also pointed to her role as a relentless advocate and investor in Early Childhood Education. Ranny has championed the Elementary age child and has the gift to combine her skilled leadership with the compassion of someone committed to the common good of all people, with a special emphasis on those most in need.
“Ranny has a balanced respect for the quality of and necessity for a diverse society of learners,” Wallace said, “She is vocal and determined in her representation of those who face challenges in school, at home and in our communities.”

Region 5
John Antilla, Board Treasurer for Capac Community Schools
John Antilla won recognition for his work on behalf of the Capac High School Robotics Team. A board member at Capac Community Schools, Antilla was the catalyst behind the formation of this outstanding program. He initiated the team by recruiting team members and a faculty coach, fundraising to secure start-up funds, and serving as a mentor and technical advisor to the young people involved. This opportunity has led students to participate in six FIRST Robotics events and to travel to Atlanta to participate in the FIRST Robotics World Championships. With Antilla’s help, the team has raised almost $40,000 to support the program in its first 2 years. “John’s dedication, leadership, support and time has touched all of the students involved in Capac High School's Robotics Team,” said nominator and Capac Superintendent Jerry Jennex. “John has truly been a ‘Champion for Children’ in Capac High School.”

Region 6
Narda K. Murphy, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Williamston Community Schools
Narda K. Murphy won recognition for her untiring dedication to ensure success for all children, Narda works well both internally with Williamston's staff and externally in the county and mid-Michigan area. “Narda is on the cutting edge, whether it is creating opportunities for career development, leading the charge for district-wide initiatives or working with individual administrators and teachers to help them reach students,” said nominator and Williamston Superintendent Joel Raddatz. “Narda has always gone out of her way to ensure that the students of Williamston are successful.”

Region 7
Charles Moden, President of the Alumni Board of Directors at Lawrence Public Schools
Charles Moden won recognition for his dedication to the community of Lawrence, Lawrence Schools, and its students. For 15 years, Moden has volunteered to be the official scorer for home and away games of the boys' football & basketball terams and for the girls' basketball & softball teams. Moden remains involved with the Lawrence Alumni, and organizes the yearly alumni banquet and the scholarships the organization provides. Moden is also an active member of the Legion and the VFW, which also provide scholarships and projects for students. “Charles Moden has dedicated his life to the community of Lawrence,” said Lawrence Superintendent John Overley, who nominated Moden for the award. "He volunteers countless hours to help the school and our students. He is very deserving of this honor.”

Region 9
Alice Ferguson, Secretary for the Huron Schools Board of Education
Alice Ferguson won recognition for over 45 years of dedication to serving children, by driving a district school bus for 30 years and for serving on the Board of Education since 1995. “Alice is a strong and credible advocate for all students in the community regardless of their skills, talents, gifts, or disability,” said nominator and Huron Superintendent Rick Naughton. “Alice has provided stable, consistent care and involvement in education for her own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She has also set high expectations for and has built positive relationships with all the children who rode her bus each day.” Ferguson regularly volunteers in classrooms and special programs and attends as many student activities as possible. She strongly believes that students need multiple opportunities to excel in and out of the classroom, and has played an instrumental role in the district's strategic planning process. "Alice is a champion in spirit, word, and deed,” Nuaghton said. She has accompished this task by believing in one simple phrase: 'Completely Committed to Kids.’”

Congratulations to all of this year’s regional Champion for Children recipients, and
thank you for your tremendous effort and dedication to enriching the lives of our children and the community as a whole. Your contributions and leadership have

enhanced children’s opportunities for success and achievement.

President’s Installation Luncheon, June 12

This year's MASA President’s Installation Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, June 12, 2009, noon, at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Big Rapids. The luncheon features the installation of the 2009-2010 Executive Board officers as follows: President Tom Langdon, Big Rapids Public Schools, President-Elect T.C. Wallace, Lansing School District, and Director 2009-2012 Pete Dion, Novi Schools.

Mark your calendar and plan to join us for this important event.

Mark Bielang (Paw Paw) to be inducted as AASA president

Mark T. Bielang, superintendent of schools in Paw Paw, MI, will be installed as 2009-10 AASA president on July 16 from 6-7 pm with reception immediately following.

The event will be held in conjunction with AASA’s summer governance meetings and the AASA Seattle Summit in Seattle, Wash. (Hotel information listed below.)

Michigan AASA members are invited to attend all the installation events.

At that same ceremony, Edgar B. Hatrick, III, superintendent of Loudoun County, VA, Public Schools, will be installed as 2009-10 president-elect. Hatrick has been a member of AASA for 22 years and has served on the AASA Executive Committee and the AASA Governing Board.

Hatrick has served as superintendent in Loudoun County since 1991. Previously, he was assistant superintendent in Loudoun County. He served as president of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents and the Washington Area Superintendents’ Study Council. He has been a guest lecturer at University of Virginia, George Mason University, Shenandoah University and Marymount University. He received his doctorate and master’s degrees in education from Virginia Tech and his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Richmond.

Finally, the following individuals will be sworn in to the AASA Executive Committee:

Jerry Colonna, superintendent in Beaverton, Ore.;
Joe Gertsema, superintendent in Yankton, S.D.;
Chris Wright, superintendent of the Hazelwood School District in St. Louis, Mo.; and
Frank Sippy, superintendent of Pomperaug Regional School District 15 in Middlebury and Southbury, Conn.

“AASA is fortunate to have new members on the AASA Executive Committee to work with Ed and Mark to advance our shared vision of high-quality public education for all students,” said AASA Executive Director Dan Domenech.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Hyatt At Olive 8
1635 8th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101

Group Rate: $179 Single, Double Occupancy
Reservation Phone Number: (206) 695 1234
Be sure to mention "AASA or American Association of School Administrators" to receive the AASA discounted rate.

Hotel-Reservation Deadline: Sunday, June 16, 2009 - Please be sure to secure your housing accommodations quickly. Reservations are based on availability after June 16.

Winners' Circle of best practices
Bridges to Digital Excellence program, Jeff Mills

At this year’s MASA Distinguished Administrators’ Luncheon, 10 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.

Bridges to Digital Excellence program
Jeff Mills, Van Buren ISD
with Tom Richardson

The Bridges to Digital Excellence is a collaborative partnership between the Van Buren Intermediate School District and the Consortium for Community Development of Benton Harbor. The goal of the project is to address the fastest growing divide in the United States: access to and knowledge of technology. VBISD is addressing this divide through the placement of computers in the home of every child in Van Buren County that does not currently have access to technology. Any child in Van Buren County can attend an eight-hour computer literacy class with their guardian and receive a refurbished computer preloaded with Microsoft XP, Office 2003, and Internet access.

As of December 2008, the Bridges to Digital Excellence program has provided computer literacy training to over 200 parents and students and has placed over 100 computers in the homes of families in Van Buren County. We anticipate we will place computers in the homes of over 200 families before the end of the 2008-2009 school year. The overall success and impact of the program and training can best be summed up by the words of the participants themselves:

“I learned so much from this class … I never realized how smart my son was.”

“This will help me teach my mother and younger brothers and sisters. My mother does not know how to read or write.”

“I now know how important it is to get involved in my child’s education and I now know how to do it.”

“This is going to change our lives.”

MASA accepts nominations for the Winners’ Circle year round. You can find more details on previous winners and their programs at www.gomasa.org/MemberBenefits/Awards/WinnersCircle/tabid/141/Default.aspx.

MAISA news:

Personal Curriculum decision tool now available to local districts

The Michigan Merit Curriculum Personal Curriculum ActPoint™ RoadMaps are now available for use by local districts. ActPoint will also offer a series of Webinars to help counselors and other designated district staff familiar with these helpful decision-making tools.

Local districts can register for a unique user name and password (FREE) at www.actpoint.com/mmcpc. You will also have an opportunity to register for one of three new-user webinars to be held on the following dates: 6/15, 6/16 and 6/24)

About ActPoint Road Maps:
The Road Maps transform the processes associated with the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) Personal Curriculum (PC) into clear, consistent, accurate step-by-step procedures for stakeholders to follow. The service is possible at no cost to districts for the 2009-10 school hear through a collaborative effort between Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA), the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), and TransACT Communications, Inc., who developed the automated, self-service decision-tree application. The MMC PC ActPoint RoadMaps were released on May 8 for ISD review.

They are being made available now to local education agencies (LEAs) through the intermediate school districts (ISDs) that have opted to implement the RoadMaps (currently all ISDs except Macomb ISD and Oakland Schools). All licensing fees for participating ISDs are being paid by the MAISA for the first year of implementation. Non-traditional public schools and institutions serving adjudicated youth that grant Michigan high school diplomas may access the ActPoint™ RoadMaps through the ISD in which they reside.

ActPoint™ is a next-generation, automated, self-service decision tree solution that lets school systems extend decision making authority to non-technical teams while maintaining accuracy, quality and consistency of action. The MMC PC ActPoint™ RoadMaps are intended to be used by parents, students and school personnel to assist them with implementing the PC process by providing RoadMaps at critical decision-making points. These points include:

Requesting a personal curriculum (RoadMap, also available for parents/legal guardians and emancipated students)
Determining personal curriculum eligibility
Making Algebra II and additional content modifi cations
Making modifi cations available only to students with an individualized education program
Making modifi cations available only to transfer students
Finalizing and implementing a personal curriculum
Determining whether a PC will lead to a diploma

By using the RoadMaps, LEAs will be able to achieve consistent MMC PC decisions, aligned with legislative requirements and MDE’s guidance, across the state of Michigan.

For more information regarding the ActPoint™ RoadMaps, please visit http://www.actpoint.com/mi; contact your local ISD. Or contact Jon Tomlanovich at jont@gomasa.org.

MDE news:

MDE announces quick link to ARRA info

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) a Recovery (ARRA) button was added to the Department’s homepage at www.michigan.gov/mde. Also, the Department’s Recovery webpage at www.michigan.gov/mde-recovery has been updated.

Check out the link for “Ideas for Using ARRA Funds” and “ARRA Implementation Timeline.” Information under “ARRA Grants & Allocations” has been updated to include allocations and target application dates. Additional resources may be added as they are identified.

ARRA applications available June 10

The MDE has announced that application for State Fiscal Stabilization Fund - Education Stabilization Funds (ESF) will be available June 10, 2009.

The purpose of the ESF funds, as described by the MDE, is “to save and create jobs and to advance essential education reforms to benefit students from early learning through post-secondary education," including:

College- and career- ready standards and high-quality, valid and reliable assessments for all students;
Development and use of pre-K through postsecondary and career data systems;
Increasing teacher effectiveness and ensuring an equitable distribution of qualified teachers; and
Turning around the lowest-performing schools.

Applications must be submitted using the Michigan Electronic Grants System (MEGS) no later than July 31, 2009. If an LEA does not submit an application by July 31, 2009, the LEA will not receive FY 2009 ESF grant funds.

The application will be submitted online using MEGS at: http://megs.mde.state.mi.us/megs

Access the ESF information including allocation amounts and application information beginning on June 10, 2009, at www.michigan.gov/mde-grants. The information will be under the “What’s New” header.

Questions may be submitted by email to mdestabilization@michigan.gov or by phone at 517.373.1806.

Michigan’s World Language Requirement: Developing Authentic Assessments in Spanish and French

AASA news:

2009 Seattle Summit: Leadership for the Future

hosted by the American Association of School Administrators
July 16-19, 2009
Hyatt At Olive 8, 1635 8th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

This premier professional development event of the summer will explore horizon issues, new technologies and new solutions for school systems! The conference will cover visionary concepts and practical specifics, including

John Medina, The Brain Rules - 12 principles for thriving at work, home and school; as detailed by brain scientists
Tim Waters, From High Anxiety to High Reliability: School District Leadership That Works - A call for leadership practices characteristic of industry-leading organizations
Alan November, Managing the Transition to Leadership - Essential skills for leadership: articulating vision, managing change, aligning technology
Hall Davidson, Thinking Big as the World Gets Small - Examples of today's technologies that engage and teach a new generation of students
Crystal Kuykendal, Leadership to Facilitate a Positive Transformation - Personal and professional experiences that inspire and empower educators everywhere
Keith Krueger and Chip Kimball, The Empowered 21st Century Superintendent - Empowering school administrators now and in the years to come

To register for this event, visit http://www.aasa.org/conferences/iMisEventDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=11121.

research reports:

Education Entrepreneurship -
Unleashing the Power of Innovation in Education

A new report released in early May calls attenention to the ways in which a new generation of education entrepreneurial ventures are expanding the boundaries of traditional education models. The report, Stimulating Excellence: Unleashing the Power of Innovation in Education, looks at programs such as The New Teacher Project, New Leaders for New Schools, and the KIPP Academies, which are creating innovative frameworks for schooling.

These innovators have introduced new philosophies, methods, and expectations for the education of our nation’s students. Stimulating Excellence also reveals how federal and state regulations and policies can support, rather than hinder, promising innovations in public education to better serve American students.

The report offers creative solutions and ideas from a collection of leading education entrepreneurs:

Collect and use better information to create a performance culture in K-12 public schools

Open the K-12 education system to a diverse set of education providers, such as charter school entrepreneurs and alternative teacher and principal preparatory programs

Transform districts and schools into genuine users of entrepreneurial ventures by providing them with greater control over the spending of dollars

Use public policy to encourage financing for entrepreneurial ventures

Action on these recommendations can foster an environment that is conducive to innovation in education while still encouraging a determined focus on quality and results.

In addition to the above recommendations, several overarching themes arose from conversations with leading education entrepreneurs:

• Use the “bully pulpit.” Federal and state leaders have a critical opportunity to communicate a commitment to promising innovations, to educate philanthropists and private investors about the success and potential of education entrepreneurs, and to provide a forum for addressing the barriers that hinder the creation and growth of effective ventures.

• Inventory national and state agencies. This process can be used to assess agencies’ openness to entrepreneurship, evaluate their performance metrics, and eliminate outdated rules and practices that today impose a burden relative to the benefits they convey.

• Engage foundations and private investors. Private funders can help jumpstart many of our proposals by providing seed funding for new initiatives and co-funding alongside publicly financed projects.

• Re-examine the traditional structures of public schooling. Many of the recommendations are designed to make the traditional structures in public education more conducive to entrepreneurship. But by carefully revisiting broader assumptions—such as providing almost all instruction via teachers who work on-site with students—policymakers can begin to open up even more opportunities for entrepreneurship in K-12 education.

Download the full report (pdf)
Download the executive summary (pdf)
14 Education Entrepreneurs that Are Making a Difference

The report was released by The Center for American Progress, the American Enterprise Institute, New Profit Inc., and Public Impact, with the support of The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Online professional development may be a cheaper alternative

While online courses can save districts money and open opportunities for teachers, administrators should choose such programs carefully, experts say.

"It's not free and it does have costs," says Barbara Treacy, the director of a nonprofit that offers online teacher training and helps districts build their own program. "But the upfront training costs are well worth it because then you can be on your way to having the capacity to manage your own program."

Variations in online professional development are wide, from their price tags to what they provide. Some state departments of education offer free online educator workshops, for example, while services from private companies can cost tens of thousands of dollars. But some school districts say online professional development is helping them save money, even if they’ve got to make a significant investment at first.
“Once a training course or a workshop is developed it can be reused multiple times and that’s where the cost savings come from,” says William R. Thomas, the director of educational technology for the Atlanta-based Southern Regional Education Board.

Industry Players

Source: Education Week, 3.13.09

in case you missed it:

Virtual classes may save districts money

Virtual education, such as online AP courses, may help superintendents offset budget cuts without sacrificing curricular quality, some educators say. "You don't need any infrastructure to be making online courses available to your students in your state," said William Thomas, the Southern Regional Education Board's director of educational technology.

The cost-effectiveness of programs, experts say, depends on what curriculum is used, whether it is a full-time or part-time program, what state you are in, and how many students you need to serve, among other factors.

In the current economic environment, “most districts are not adding a bunch of new services, but thinking about how to preserve services,” said Bill Tucker, the chief operating officer of the Washington-based think tank Education Sector, which has conducted research on the costs of online learning.

One way to do that, he said, is to take advantage of the resources and opportunities already available rather than trying to start an e-learning program from scratch. For example, some states run their own virtual education programs out of their departments of education, which districts can tap in to for little or no cost, he said.
To compare cost categories, see below.
Read more…

Source: Education Week, 3.18.09

Cost Categories: Brick-and-Mortar School vs. Online School

Brick-and-Mortar School Only
• Buildings and grounds maintenance
• Security
• Transportation
• Energy
• Computer and internet access for every teacher
• Substitute-teacher costs (for sick days or professional development)
• Athletics
• Music program (e.g., band)
• Nursing services

Online School Only
• Space for offices and computer lab for students
• Course-management system
• Course content
• Computer and Internet access for every teacher and student
• Mobile-communication device for teachers (e.g., cellphone) and network

Plagiarism in the Internet Age

Many teachers see plagiarism as a simple, black-and-white issue. Teachers often bring up the topic at the beginning of a research paper unit, discuss it in one classroom period and never say the word plagiarism again unless students are caught copying, at which time this term is dragged out once more to accuse and punish the guilty. An article in the latest Educational Leadership examines how online resources have affected the way students do research and how educators can prevent plagiarism by devoting extensive instruction to the component tasks of writing from sources.