The Center for Educational Networking and Project Find are working together in support of the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education to address Michigan’s concern regarding suspensions and expulsions. They have developed a survey for school administrators, special education administrators, and school board members to help inform that work.

The conference committee reported the School Aid Fund budget and sent it on for a final vote in both the House and Senate on Tuesday, May 28. Under the budget, every district will see at least a $5 per pupil increase over the current year, though some districts, and especially charters, will see significantly more than that.

After taking only limited testimony and cutting short presentations by the bill's opponents, the House Education Committee this week voted out legislation prohibiting school districts from paying new teachers based on length of service or degree attainment. HB 4625, sponsored by Rep. Pete Lund (R-Shelby Twp.), would instead require that educator performance and student growth be used as the primary factors in determining pay.

The conference committee on the School Aid Fund budget has just adopted it's final recommendation for the 2013-14 school year. The bill must now be approved by both the House and the Senate, but since a conference report cannot be amended and Republicans hold majorities in both chambers, this recommendation is likely to be adopted.

The major details of the final agreement follow:

Transition on the MASSP Board of Directors is always a bittersweet occasion. I am proud and privileged to have worked with an outstanding group of Principals for the 2012-13 school year. This group has had a number of significant achievements and I cannot thank them enough for their encouragement and support of my leadership.

Board Achievements for the 2012-13 school year include: