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I don’t do fear. Let me explain.  Does anybody but me notice that the newspapers and evening news that dominate the current events of our time portray a doomsday outlook on our economy and our country? The common theme in the message is one of fear about the future of our country, our manufacturing base, our auto companies, and our social systems. If you would believe the stories, our systems are in complete turmoil. According to these reports, the government is in a huge deficit, the infrastructures of our country such as roads, bridges, and electrical grids are about to collapse.

From The Middle
Diane McMillan
Associate Director

The Gates Foundation has announced a major shift in its educational strategy plans. Once known for its extensive support of small schools, the Gates Foundation has not be satisfied with the scalability of these schools.

While many of the small schools started with Gates Foundation support remain “pockets of excellence”, there have not been enough promising small schools to make the kind of large-scale impact on educational reform that the Foundation had hoped.

The Foundation will place new emphasis on:

College Readiness for High School Students

Documents Explain the importance of a Challenging  High School Mathematics Curriculum

As states implement the American Diploma Project (ADP) policy agenda, parents, educators and others often have concerns about whether these policies are the right ones and whether it's fair to expect all students to meet the same rigorous graduation requirements.

David Barry
MASSP President

High School Reform is on every state's agenda.  As states look to reinvent high schools and middle schools that currently look much like the schools of 100 years ago, states are proposing drastic reforms. Here's a report on the reform efforts of three states.

Motivating America's Students
Three States Hoping Bold School Reforms Will Lead to Positive Changes in Education

Imagine if students could choose to leave high school as early as age
16 not to drop out, but because they're ready for college or career
training.

One of the main reasons for including an online learning requirement in the Michigan Merit Curriculum was to give all Michigan students the experience of learning in an online environment.

According to a new study reported in eSchool News, online learning is increasing rapidly at the college level. This requirement could give Michigan students a boost, especially in these times of a sagging economy. Michigan recently won recognition for its requirement that is the first in the nation.

By Diane McMillan
Associate Director

From the President
Dave Barry, Principal Walled Lake Central HS

Anybody but me notice that this is an election year? I participate reluctantly in our political process. I know good Americans keep close tabs on what is going on and vote when they are given the chance. But I don't like it. I tend not to trust what any politician says or put much hope in his or her ability to truly change things. I don't necessarily think I'm right, but it's my default position.

Thoughts from the Principal’s Coach
By Greg Bishop

Contact Greg at greg@mymassp.com