InSiDe Update - October 27, 2011

Topic: ESEA Flexibility Waivers

The Obama Administration’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act waiver package is an active response to state and district requests for relief and greater flexibility from the current “No Child Left Behind” federal accountability system.  The current waiver package presents an opportunity to rethink about the way states support schools and districts by investing in a new accountability system and developing systemic supports for low-performing schools. Waivers provide a means for incentivizing new delivery systems, and eliminating duplication. We may also be able to provide more opportunities for personalized, relevant learning experiences and to reach out to more schools that are struggling.

A webinar was held on October 25^th to inform interested shareholders in the various aspects of Michigan’s ESEA Flexibility Request process as well as MDE’s current thinking on how to approach each part of the Request. The webinar and survey are for the purpose of informing the development of the Request.  The official Public Comment Period will open on November 3, 2011 to gather feedback on the completed Request, which will be developed using input that is received. MAISA is working on this initiative with MDE, in an effort to have the Request submitted by November 14^th.

The PowerPoint presentation that served as the talking points at the October 25^th webinar and the survey used to gather feedback on the Request are linked below. Your feedback is requested as we formulate an official MAISA position on the specific waiver selections and formulas.  The form and options for the waiver request are also linked to this update.

ESEA Flexibility Waiver Request

ESEA Flexibility Waiver Request - Overview Presentation PowerPoint

ESEA Flexibility - Questions for Discussion

A recording of the webinar can be accessed from the following link: 

http://remc.adobeconnect.com/p1m671pwljc/

Topic: Alternative Certification Program for School Administrators

MAISA will be submitting an application to be a provider of an Alternative Certification Program for school administrators. Through a partnership with MASA and MI-ASCD, Pat McNeill and Pat Reeves met with MDE and secured the procedures and forms for creating an application. The due date for the first round of approval reviews is November 16. MDE indicates that they have streamlined the review process, so the hope is to be ready to begin working with people who need Alternative Certification after the first of the year. The Michigan Special Education Directors want to join this initiative, and MSBO will also be approached to see if they would like to participate. With all of these partners, there will be a greater capacity and access to several training modules as part of our system.

Topic: MDE Communications

Second SB-CEU Opportunity for Non-Seat Time-based Professional Development

Since 2007, Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan has used his authority to waive certain administrative rules to provide schools with flexibility in implementing innovative teaching and learning models. As a result, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has fielded questions about seat time requirements for educator professional development as it relates to earning State Board Continuing Education Units (SB-CEUs). Please click the following link for more information.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Non-Seat_time_Waiver_366709_7.pdf

Topic: Join the Call to Halt Cyber/Charter School Bills

MAISA Executive Director William Miller has drafted a message that MAISA and MASA members can use to communicate with their local media or legislators. The message urges lawmakers to halt the race to pass the package of bills that would greatly expand charter schools and cyber schools without ensuring high quality for students.

Members are urged to use or adapt this language to communicate with your stakeholders, including media and lawmakers. This is fast-changing legislation, however, so keep in touch with your associations and monitor our government relations updates.

Please click the link below to view a sample of this language that has been posted to the MAISA website:

http://gomaisa.org/news/join-call-halt-chartercyber-school-bills

Other MAISA members weigh in on the choice/charter and cyber expansion debate:

“Should Michigan expand school choice? Proposed bills would give parents more options, but school choice has checkered track record, expert says,” October 23, 2011.

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/10/should_michigan_expand_school.html

 “Charter school debate heats up,” October 22, 2011.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/10/22/news/local_news/doc4ea33c8633f34598861910.txt?viewmode=default

“Letters: Superintendents urge residents to oppose bills that will harm public education,” October 23, 2011. 

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/10/letters_superintendents_urge_r.html

Topic: U.P. Educational Technology Consortium

The September Merit Network Newsletter had an article about the U.P. Educational Technology Consortium.  It is another example of ISDs/REMCs collaborating and consolidating services.  Please click the link below for more information.  

http://www.merit.edu/connections/Sept2011/remc1.php