Speaking of Leading

"We have a crisis in this state. We accept that. But there are also solutions out there as well. …Today, we will press our Legislators hard to do something about [health care reform], make something happen now, don't get into gridlock.…what they have to do is come up with solutions and they have to do it NOW."

–Mike Shibler, Superintendent of Rockford Public Schools, 3.10.10 at the SOS Michigan Rally at the Capitol.

Secretary Duncan releases application for innovation grants
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan this week announced the availability of the grant application for the highly anticipated Investing in Innovation (i3) program, which are worth a total of $650 million... more>

MSBO Survey reveals deep cuts in store
A vast majority (83%) districts surveyed plan to freeze salaries and benefits for some or all employees. And nearly all (96%) anticipate laying off staff and/or leaving vacant positions unfilled for 2010-11... more>

Draft K-12 Common Core State Standards available for comment
These draft standards, developed together with teachers, school administrators and experts, seek to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce... more>

Using data to drive consolidation
Consolidation of services is possible and profitable.  But Kent County leaders report it takes hard data to move from theory to practice... more>

Telling your district's story during a financial crisis
MSPRA has joined forces with the SOS committee to present a valuable workshop that will help schools better communicate the impact of this crisis... more>

Strong Governance Workshop
Join state and national leaders to gain strategies for building strong teams and learn how to reframe educational challenges into opportunities... more>

Summer Law Programs from Michigan Supreme Court
Junior high and high school students can learn more about
Michigan courts, and legal careers, during two week-long sessions offered by the Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center this summer... more>

Take control of health care costs: Explore consumer-directed plans As school districts continue to search for methods to preserve classroom funds and reduce health insurance expenses, many are looking at the benefits of Consumer Directed Health Care. The concept is that when employees are made aware of the actual cost of services and have a financial interest in reducing their health care expenses, they are motivated to make wiser choices... more>

• Save the date! Mark your calendar for the MASA President's Installation luncheon. more>
  
• Highlighted Service
  MASA Talk is an opt-in, un-moderated discussion forum for MASA members only. The list includes 30 participants (so far), and we hope that the quality of the dialogue and efforts to promote it will soon attract many others. more >
• Highlighted Service
  MASA executives and staff are ready to assist you with resources, answers, and professional advice, and access to legal counseling. Call our office at 517-327-5910 to reach someone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. more>
• Winners Circle
  M.E.R.I.T. Program: Tom TenBrink, Jenison Public Schools, with Dale Ranson & Jim Smith more>

• New at SOS Michigan.org
  Questions to ask your legislator more>
  
  Video highlights of the March 10 Capitol Rally more>
  
  MSBO 2010 Survey Summary: “Fiscal Condition of Michigan’s Schools" more>
  

• Hunger doesn't take a summer vacation: More sponsors needed by March 31 more>
  
  
• State Board continues to ponder school funding reform more>
  
  
• Recent MDE Memos
  Public Feedback on the Draft K-12 English Language Arts and Mathematics Common Core State Standards more>
  
  Free Advanced Placement Tests for Qualified Students; Free International Baccalaureate Exams and Registration Fees for Qualified Students more>
  
  Grant Opportunity for Early Childhood Education and Family Services more>
  
  Talent Pool Development more>
  
  Civil Rights Compliance Requirements for Participation in the National School Lunch Program School Year 2009-2010 more>
  
  Alternate Count Date Clarification more>
  
  Field Review of the Proposed Standards for the Preparation of Teachers of American Sign Language (ASL) as a World Language more>
  
  ARRA Section 1512 Report Due April 2, 2010 more>
  
  Catch up on the latest MDE memos any time
  

• MEA Staffers' salaries rise as local teachers sacrifice more>
  
  
• Teachers say in survey that good leadership is more important than pay more>
  

• Study finds some Michigan tax incentive programs ineffective more>
• Governor’s Budget Tackles Aspects of Structural Deficit, But Work Remains more>
• Massive barriers exist to the dismissal of chronically ineffective teachers more>
  

• Scholarships available for high school Constitutional Academy 2010 more>
  
  
• State Board approves Mental Health in Schools policy more>
  
  
• New Mediation tools available more>
  
  
• MeLCat celebrates 5 years of service to Michigan residents more>
  

• MSPRA - SOS: Telling your district's story during a financial crisis
  March 17, 2010; 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  City of Lansing Southside Community Center
  5815 Wise Road
  Lansing, MI 48910
  
  
• Strong Governance and Leadership Teams: Thriving During Challenging Times
  March 23, 2010; 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Radisson Hotel, Lansing
  
  Join state and national leaders to gain strategies for building strong teams and learn how to reframe educational challenges into opportunities.
  
  
• Making Inclusion Work with Transdisciplinary Teaming
  April 17, 2010
  Social Science Building, UM-Dearborn
  
  Presented by UM-Dearborn's School of Education and Oakwood's Center for Exceptional Families in collaboration with Oakland Schools and Wayne RESA
• Exploring the Superintendency
  Four-part series continues March 24,
  April 21
• Michigan Construction Career Days, 2010
  April 27 & 28
  Springfield Oaks County Park, Davisburg, MI
  
  Help students see how they can change their world by choosing a career in construction. Registration is limited to the first 3,500 students.
• 2010 Eat Healthy + Play Hard = Smart Students Conference
  April 28-30, 2010
  Hyatt Regency Dearborn

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Lansing, MI 48917
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