MDE

Anyone who has been following recent changes is school law knows that two new elements are now required to be part of the evaluation process – student performance and year evaluation. Most of our members have been held the to student performance standard for a number of year. Where we hear the most squeals are the yearly evaluation expectation.

When the teachers union and District go to the bargaining table this new expectations are to be put in the agreements – for all that have responsibility for student outcomes. That includes classroom teachers, building administrators, central office staff, and the school superintendent.

The question is – how do we do this?

Several offices within the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) have received questions about recording student and school information for students that are participating in the seat time waiver program. Since school districts have a November 4, 2009 deadline for submitting student counts, this memo is sent with urgency for your attention.

The seat time waiver has been granted under the authority of state statute. That statute specifies that the waiver may be granted to an approved alternative education program. The seat time waiver program is an alternative education program.

October 27, 2009
TO: Local and Intermediate School District Superintendents and Public School Academy Directors
FROM: Mike Flanagan Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT: Mandatory Expulsion Laws

While the reluctance to expel a student for at least 180 days for a mandatory expulsion offense might be understandable, it violates the letter and spirit of the law that would allow a student to simply dropout or disenroll. A district must follow the procedures established in law, giving that student an alternative opportunity to continue his/her education.

This is a letter from the Superintendent of Public Instruction about the Michigan Department of Education Dropout Challenge.

A few months ago, I asked every public elementary, middle and high school to identify 10-15 students who are nearing or in a transition year with multiple dropout risk factors and provide research-based supports and interventions. It is a simple concept that can have a huge impact. Schools and districts wishing to take this challenge were asked to register online for the challenge at the Michigan Department of Education Dropout Challenge web page at www.michigan.gov/dropoutchallenge.

The response has been overwhelming. As of October 15, 2009, over 500 schools and districts have joined this challenge.

P.A.

Thanks to Ken Willison, Englishville School for sharing this document!

EDUCATION REFORMS NEEDED BY DECEMBER

Legislative leaders have said they should have a compromise by the end of the year to address struggling schools, but that may be too late to help with applications for federal funds.

Applications for federal Race to the Top grant funds require some authority for the state to intervene in the lowest performing schools. The legislation to allow that in Michigan will have to be completed by December 1 for Michigan to qualify for a chunk of those funds, said Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan as the State Board of Education heard presentations on current programs and legislative proposals Wednesday.

As the school year begins, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is implementing a number of updates to the High School Content Expectations (HSCE) to assist schools in preparing students for success on the Michigan Merit Exam (MME). MDE has listened to the field and in response to concerns, the Algebra II Course/Credit Requirements have been revised to reflect ACT’s College Readiness Standards, Achieve’s American Diploma Project Benchmarks, and the proposed common core college and career readiness standards Michigan plans to adopt. We are also identifying HSCE that may be tested on the MME.

June 29, 2009

LANSING -- State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan today announced a statewide Superintendent’s Dropout Challenge to Michigan's 4,000 public schools that could impact nearly 60,000 students at-risk of dropping out of school.

"Today, one out of every four Michigan children fails to graduate with their class," said Flanagan. "This challenge is the first step in helping thousands of Michigan students stay in school."

The challenge draws on research that shows most students send distress signals years before they drop out of school. Early warning signs displayed by students nearing or entering transitional school years, such as 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grades or beyond, have been proven to be strong dropout predictors.

July 1, 2009 MEMORANDUM

TO: Local and Intermediate School District Superintendents, Public School, Academy Superintendents, Public Universities and Community, Colleges, Public School Academy Authorizers and other interested parties

FROM: Michael P. Flanagan, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: Announcement of 2009-2010 Charter School Planning, Implementation and Dissemination Grant Opportunity