January, 2008

We did not offer an advanced Algebra 1 course to our freshman this year and I felt it was a good decision. We have debated offering an advanced track in Biology, Geometry and Chemistry in future years. I can argue both sides of this issue and most of my teachers would like to see an advanced track in those three courses.  I realize both levels of a course have to cover the HSCE's but I can see the value in the advanced classes covering extra material for our high end kids. Are your schools offering advanced levels of Biology, Chemistry and Geometry besides AP courses?

Dear CTE Leader:

On April 23, 2008 the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals will be hosting a very special event at the State Capitol in Lansing. Our goal is to impress upon our state legislators not only the importance of Career and Technical Education, but how Career and Technical Education can be the best avenue for some students to meet the increased academic requirements of the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

The demand for workers to fill jobs in the middle of the labor market—those that require more than high-school, but less than a four-year degree—will likely remain quite robust relative to its supply, especially in key sectors of the economy. Accordingly, we see a need for increased U.S. investment in high-quality education and training in the middle of the skills range—not just for college graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

THE PERKINS ACT OF 2006: CONNECTING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION WITH THE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS AGENDA

RELATED CONTENT
The Perkins Act 2006 Policy Brief (PDF)

Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan said he would welcome the additional authority Governor Jennifer Granholm had proposed to allow him to close failing schools, but warned it would have to be carefully used.

The federal No Child Left Behind Act provides for schools that do not meet adequate yearly progress goals for eight years to be potentially shut down. But there are not provisions in state law that would allow that option for this state.

"They just keep not making AYP," Mr. Flanagan said.

The high school dropout age would increase from 16 to 18 under legislation kicked out of the House Education Committee this morning, marking some movement on a concept that has languished in legislative committees for years.

HB 4042 moved to the House floor along party lines, but those testifying both in support and opposition to the bill cast some question as to whether the bill would actually decrease dropout rates unless more alternative programs, educator support or truancy enforcement came with the higher dropout age.

State of Michigan
Certificate of Proclamation

Executive Office
Jennifer M. Granholm
Governor

On behalf of the citizens of Michigan, I, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, do hereby proclaim the week of February 10, 2008, as PRINCIPALS' WEEK

As our members become more and more familiar with the new MyMASSP website, it's time to dig a little deeper! You're asking questions and getting answers, so let's take it a step further! There are SO MANY questions being posted to the general group/audience, it might help you and your colleagues get more direct responses if you actually post your question to a GROUP or AUDIENCE that more specifically relates to the question you are asking.

January Student Leadership Newsletter

>>> View all Student Leadership Newsletter archives

While there were only about 100 advisers there, the energy that circulated made it feel like twice as many! This past Thursday/Friday, January 24-25, MASSP hosted advisers from around Michigan at the MASC/MAHS Annual State Advisers Conference in Mt. Pleasant. We kicked off the evening with Karen Dawson, who shared tales of humor and inspiration and provided advisers some much needed laughs and the reinforcement to keep doing what they're doing - leading student leaders. Who knew you could do so much with a paper plate!?!?

We have some very good news about the online test prep tools for the MME. This is a great no-cost resource for schools. We are hoping to have more than 20,000 students use this tool before the test period in March.

For Immediate Release

Contact Dan Keedy (517) 664-5460
January 25, 2008

Corporate Partner Supports Students’ Online Test
Preparation Needs

January 25, 2008 – Michigan high school students will benefit as a result of unexpected support from a corporate partner.
For more information, visit

Would like to register for following Webinar dates and topics
2-5-08 3:30 - 4:30 pm
3-18-08 3 - 4
4-15-08 3 - 4
4-29-08 3-4
5-6-08 3 - 4

Section 1280 of the Michigan School Code is all about a state sponsored accreditation program. It is this section that gives Education YES! its legal authority. There are a series penalties for failure to meet the state standards. SB 1013 links state expectations to NCLB and AYP. It also adjusts times to be the same as AYP.

Many of those advising the Governor on reducing school dropouts went to visit several high schools in Chicago. In addition, they all submitted research articles on the topic.

A theme kept cropping up. The schools in low income areas that were making real progress in reducing school dropouts always had one thing in common - empowered principals.

Legislation on this topic is bound to be introduced, and it may be a topic in the Governor's State of the State speech.

I'd like to know your opinion!

Please go to: http://tinyurl.com/yoqxxw to take our zoomerang survey.

Thanks,

Michigan Virtual University Welcomes HP as Lead Corporate Sponsor for Statewide eLearning Symposium

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Michigan Virtual
University(R) (MVU(R)), with significant support from HP, is holding its
fourth statewide e-learning symposium, Online Solutions for Everyday
Challenges, for educational leaders in Michigan. The symposium will be held
Wednesday, Feb. 6, in Ypsilanti.

The symposium will feature state and national speakers, and a variety
of presentations aimed at showcasing solutions to everyday challenges in

Wednesday morning, those who were invited by the Governor to advise her on strategies to decrease student dropouts met. We met in the Governor’s conference room adjacent to her office. We were in our places for the 8:30 a.m. meeting, and she came in promptly and welcomed each of us by name and with a handshake.

School district officials right to raise bar

Stressing higher education helps prepare students to compete

In the depths of Michigan's economic woes, there are those who continue to point to an essential measure that will improve our lot - education.

The calls have become a mantra. Leaders of the public and private sectors stress education's value. Without higher standards and a greater emphasis on post-secondary education, they say, Michigan can't compete for high-tech employers and their high-paying jobs.

No pressure, but I need to come up with these for my eval and my kids need new shoes... HELP please.

A program that preps "at-risk" 4-year-olds for kindergarten will get another $21.8 million this fiscal year as part of a $25 million spending addition recommended this morning by the House K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee.

Under HB 5531, the House spends a little less than half of the $60 million surplus estimated to be sitting in the School Aid Fund (SAF) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008. The bulk of that money will be spent shoring up the School Readiness Program, which was cut last autumn to balance the FY '08 budget.

On a mission to dramatically reduce the mushrooming cost of the teacher retirement health care system, House Speaker Andy DILLON (D-Redford Twp.) is looking at using the Lottery to do it.

As MIRS reported last week, both Dillon and Senator Majority Leader Mike BISHOP (R-Rochester) are exploring ways to lease or sell off part of the state Lottery (See "Lottery Lease Back In Play," 1/17/08). Neither has made a commitment to that, but Dillon is thinking about following the lead of the Big Three carmakers and the United Auto Workers and creating a VEBA-type system.