superintendent

Change system for sake of students
BY MIKE FLANAGAN • June 29, 2008
Narrow thinkers wanting to water down the new high school graduation requirements have wrongly bleated that the new Michigan Merit Curriculum is "cookie cutter," because it expects that all kids will learn the same rigorous academic content.
Well, it is not the curriculum that is cookie cutter; it's the current educational system, which wants all kids to fit in that box we call a classroom, when some just won't. We don't need to change the new requirements. We need to change the system.

With the announcement Monday that Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan would not be a finalist for president of Eastern Michigan University, he told the State Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday that he was not planning to leave his current post.
"You're kinda stuck with me," Mr. Flanagan told the board, drawing applause from board members and department staff. "I love working with the state board and this team."
"I'm glad it's behind us," said board President Kathleen Straus (D-Bloomfield Township).

April 2008

 
Dear Michigan Educator:
 
The Michigan Departments of Education and Community Health along with other stakeholders are collaboratively reviewing an evidenced based environmental change initiative, The Life of an Athlete Program, which will allow us as a state to more effectively confront underage drinking and substance use.   
 
You have been identified as a critical stakeholder, and are invited to participate in the introductory meeting and presentation.