November 2009

jim's picture

Professional Development, on-line, 5 on-line

This is to advise that the new language in Section 101(10) of the State School Aid Act which requires local districts and public school academies to provide 5 online hours of professional development in order to count up to 38 hours of professional development towards the minimum requirement of 1,098 hours of instruction is not effective until the school year 2010- 2011.

jim's picture

Principal's View - Race to the Top

The Department of Education released the final notice on the Race to the Top Fund. Because most of the notice is a detailed response to the public comments that were submitted to the Department, I have posted a brief summary on the Principal’s Policy Blog about our key issues, which is an attachment on the link below.

jim's picture

“RACE TO THE TOP” PACKAGE GROWS

Armed with the recently released federal guidelines for the “Race to the Top” educational program, the House Education Committee this week continued their deliberations on legislation designed to ensure Michigan complies with the program. The week also saw the introduction of two more legislative proposals intended to be part of the state’s response.

Diane McMillan's picture

From the Middle: Creative Re-Imagining Ideas Sought

By Diane McMillan
Associate Director

With all the emphasis on budget cuts, it's often easy to temporarily lose sight of our primary mission--educating middle level students for the next levels. Now, with even more research that what happens at the middle level really matters, middle level educators are searching for cost effective ways to continue quality middle school programs that prepare college and career ready students.

jim's picture

Home Unions, Gov Tussle Over Tenure

The President and the Governor are on board. The Michigan Federation of Teachers is not.

With $500 million in "Race to the Top" dollars dangling in front of the state, the House Education Committee is considering a dramatic rewrite of the state's long-standing teacher tenure laws and the MFT is not signing off.

Asked if the tenure changes were needed, lobbyist Louise SOMALSKI said, "No, we don't need" them.

That will not be music to the Governor's ears. In Mt. Pleasant on Thursday, she said linking teacher tenure to test scores from students "makes sense."

jim's picture

PRORATION ORDER STANDS –

With the two legislative chambers now in recess until December 1st, any hope of mitigating or eliminating the $127 per pupil reduction in K-12 funding as directed by Governor Granholm’s proration order blew away like the leaves of fall. The order is slated to take effect this weekend, although the first adjusted payment to be issued under the order will not be transmitted to local schools until December 20th.

jim's picture

MORE 'RACE TO THE TOP' BILLS ADDED TO PACKAGE

With federal guidelines for the U.S. Department of Education's "Race to the Top" program in their hands, lawmakers in the House continued discussion Thursday as to what reforms the state should pass to improve schools and qualify for the federal funding.

And two more bills were dropped into the package being debated: The bills, which were introduced Wednesday, require pupil achievement to be part of a school employee's job performance review and allow the Department of Human Services to open up a child negligence case if parents don't ensure their kids attend school regularly.

Diane McMillan's picture

From the Executive Director: $500,000,000 4 U?

jballard_web_0.gif

By Jim Ballard
MASSP Executive Director

Misty Elliott's picture

Thoughts on Mandated Principal Certification

November 17, 2009

Representative Tim Melton
N-793 House Office Building

P.O. Box 30014

Lansing, MI 48909-7514

Dear Representative Melton,

Thank you for asking for our thoughts regarding mandated principal certification. I understand your interest comes for expectations as part of Michigan’s efforts to win dollars coming available through the Race-to-the-Top, USDOE.

Misty Elliott's picture

MASSP offers comments on: CTE Reimbursed Programs (2009-041 ED)

November 17, 2009

Public Comment
Office of Career and Technical Education
Michigan Department of Education
P.O. Box 31712
Lansing, MI 48909

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

RE: Career and Technical Education Reimbursed Programs (2009-041 ED)

The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals has reviewed the proposed rules as made available on the Department website.

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