October, 2008

Press release from the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) regarding a report, Learning to Work, Working to Learn, which Elizabeth Bauer, a member of the Michigan State Board of Education, was a member of this study group.

Girls Study Group series, the bulletin provides an overview of the study group's research on female juvenile delinquency and summarizes the findings presented in each of the remaining six bulletins in the series.

The Michigan Department of Education was notified by the State Budget Office that all state departments will be required to incur serious budget reductions, not only for next fiscal year, but a mid-year cut this current fiscal year. In addition, the U.S. Department of Education will be requiring us to end the use of federal funds to offset what they have determined should be state-funded activities.

The Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) no longer exists following the issuance of an Executive Order by Governor Granholm. Seeking to make energy a leading component of the state’s economic turnaround, Ms. Granholm transformed DLEG into the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG). The restructured department will assume control of the development of alternative energy sources as well as major conservation programs which, until Monday, had been the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Quality.

Saying the state, though facing on-going economic struggles, continues to be well-managed, Moody’s Investors Services rewarded Michigan this week with favorable rating assessments on the state’s plan to sell $367 million in general obligation school loan refunding bonds and another $1.4 billion in short-term notes to allow the state to discharge its financial obligations. The rating agency noted the state had implemented new revenue streams—read increased taxes—to address structural budget problems and said the state’s on-going budget efforts in the face of extended and continuing fiscal and economic contractions served to underscore the overall strength of the state’s fiscal management.

Two weeks ago, Governor Granholm said department heads had been put on alert for spending reductions in response to the credit meltdown and the subsequent economic contraction, but now the potential loss of one of the Big Three has put new emphasis on the process. Facing uncharted fiscal territory with the likely merger of Chrysler—and the before now unthinkable demise of General Motors—state officials are now grappling with the distinct possibility there will be serious budget cuts imposed on both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 Fiscal Year budgets. An Executive Order, which is required in order to reduce 2008-09 spending, is expected to be presented by the Governor before the Legislature adjourns in December.

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U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings issued the long-awaited final regulations on Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act, which include a requirement that states use a uniform calculation for determining every high school’s graduation rate.

Michigan is ahead of the federal requirement. Michigan began to use this formula this year for reporting the graduation cohort and dropout rate through the Center for Educational Performance and Information(CEPI).

Pressure is mounting for a deal in lame duck to ensure Detroit Public Schools' (DPS) first-class status in exchange for more charter schools in Michigan.

House Majority Floor Leader Steve TOBOCMAN said DPS was one of the top priorities in the abbreviated session after the Nov. 4 election (See "Lame Duck Quacking Detroit Schools, Ethics, Roads?" 10/27/08).

This appears to be an opening for the school choice crowd to make some headway, foreshadowed by Sen. Wayne KUIPERS (R-Holland) adding an amendment to legislation before break that would add high school charters.

Does your school play the national anthem at sub-varsity level contest or events? If so, what is the rationale?

Download presentation handouts from our 2008 Assistant Principals' Fall Conference:
Building Leadership That Works! Find the session you're looking for and
click, "Presentation Slides" to download the pdf. Sessions are listed
in the order that they were presented.

A collection from various sources, including specific questions for teachers of the core areas and special education.

General Teacher Interview Questions

Assessment Questions

1. Give me an example of a performance assessment.

2. Explain how you use assessments as a way to improve student learning.

3. What methods have you used or would you use to assess student learning?

Background Questions

1. Why did you become a teacher?

2. Are you a risk taker? (Give an example.)

3. Are you a positive and energetic person? (Give an example to back up your answer.)

4. Tell me about yourself.

5. Are you an empathetic person? Give an example.

6. How can you tell that a person is a good listener?

7. Are you an objective person? Give an example.

Sample Interview Questions and Approaches— 

Teacher and Administrator Positions at the Middle Level