InSiDe Update - January 12, 2012

Topic: Governor Snyder Issues Education Reform Proposals

Governor Rick Snyder has created a legislative bill package to carry out the plans he laid out in his 2011 Special Message on Education Reform. The pdf link below contains a summary of the proposals in this package.

Gov Snyder Education Reform Proposals

Topic: MAISA Signs on to Letter Supporting Early Childhood Birth - 3 Programming

The MAISA Legislative Committee authorized the association to sign on to a letter to be sent to state policy makers emphasizing the importance of providing funding for 0 - 3 programs. This letter was drafted by a coalition of Early Childhood support organizations. As ISDs play a larger role in supporting Early Childhood programs, it is important that in the future "new" money directly allocated for Early Childhood programs have some funds directed to 0 - 3 year old programming.

Please follow the link to see the proposal and the agencies that have signed on so far. 0 - 3 Funding Letter

Topic: MDE Submits Block Grant Recommendation to Legislature

Legislative changes have made ISDs the fiscal agents for all Great Start Readiness Programs (GSRPs). This means that ISDs are responsible for ensuring that GSRP data are reported to the MSDS. ISDs are not required to submit the data, but rather assist with coordination of the process. Under the recommendation, all GSRP fiscal agent responsibility will be phased in over the next few years.

For more information on this recommendation, click the following links:

Block Grant Recommendation

http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-6530_6809_50451-193357--,00.html 

Topic: Court Rules Schools Cannot Privatize Therapists

Occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) fall under the category of "instructional support" and their services cannot be privatized, the Court of Appeals ruled today in a split decision.

Appellate Judges William Murphy and Donald Owens sided with the Pontiac Education Association (PEA) in determining that the Michigan Employment Relations Commission was correct. OTs and PTs are not noninstructional support services and the Pontiac School District was wrong to let go of the union-represented employees in favor of a third-party contractor without going through the collective bargaining process.

The judges ruled that since OTs and PTs "impart knowledge or information to students, teachers and parents," they are instructional staff, which is protected by unionization under current law.

Appellate Judge Kathleen Jansen wrote in a dissenting opinion that OTs and PTs are not teachers. They are licensed under the Public Health Code and provide noninstructional services.

This case is under appeal and was applied to a specific collective bargaining situation. It will likely not have broad implications for contracting with school-based therapists.

Topic: Grant Opportunity for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Program

The Michigan Department of Education is pleased to announce the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant program opportunity. The purpose of the 21st CCLC grant program is to create community learning centers for those times when school is not in session. Programs must provide students with academic enrichment opportunities as well as additional activities designed to complement their regular academic program. These funds will be awarded through a competitive process to local and intermediate school districts and other public agencies, or private profit or non-profit community-based agencies, organizations and programs, including faith-based organizations to provide comprehensive community learning center services.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Grant_21st_373487_7.pdf

Topic: Service Consolidation Plans- Guidelines for Required Reporting on Status of Implementation

Language in Section 11d of the State School Aid Act that was in effect for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 fiscal years allowed any district that entered into an agreement to develop a Service Consolidation Plan the flexibility in recording the 2009-10 and/or 2010-11 Section 11d State Aid reduction in revenue.  Language in Section 11d of the State School Aid Act in effect for the 2011-12 fiscal year (388.1611d(3)) further requires the districts which entered into a Service Consolidation Plan agreement to now report on the status of the plan.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/SCP_Status_Report_373501_7.pdf

Topic: Book Being Published: Exemplary Programs and Practices of 21st Century ESAs

A book is being published on Educational Service Agencies (ESAs) to identify exemplary ESA programs and practices to provide guidance on increasing performance and effective practices of intermediate service agencies nationwide. 

The authoring team is soliciting nominations from individuals who are knowledgeable about the programs and practices of ESAs in their state that fit this exemplary position.

The following pdf provides background on the project and gives the criteria for nominating ESA programs. ESA Program or Practice Nomination Memo

UPCOMING EVENTS

Michigan Educator Evaluation Conference: Understanding Effective Instruction

January 24, 2012 at the Kellogg Center

Join the Education Alliance of Michigan on January 24, 2012, for a full-day event focused on developing a shared understanding of the complex elements involved in reviewing effective classroom instruction.  The full day event, Michigan Educator Evaluation: Understanding Effective Instruction, offers hands-on activities and discussion, with skilled teachers and piloting districts sharing an inside look at their work. 

Leading researcher Stephen Fink from the University of Washington also will be on hand to explore research-based methods for assessing performance. Dr. Fink has had extensive experience working with numerous school districts focusing on the school district as the unit of change – particularly on developing systems level leadership capacity for eliminating the achievement gap. His current work at the Center for Educational Leadership includes developing school district leadership capacity to dramatically improve the quality of instruction in every school and in every classroom.

Click the following link for more information and to register: http://edalliancemichigan.org/

REMC “$AVE Show Off”

February 9, 2012 at the Lansing Center

The REMC $ave Show Off will feature interactive classroom technology such as video conferencing and 3D in the classroom from the 2012 REMC Awarded Vendors. The event is free to registrants, and includes lunch.

For more information: REMC $ave Show Off

MASA Midwinter Conference: Transformational Leadership, A Peer-to-Peer Sharecase

February 1st - 3rd, 2012 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center

The MAISA General Membership meeting will be help during the Midwinter Conference.

Time & Location:

10a - 11:30a Detroit Marriott, Cabot Room, Level 4

For more information about the conference, please visit the conference website: http://gomasa.org/midwinter-conference