MASSP News Center

The application process is now open for administrators to apply to be among the first 200 participants in the MI-LIFE, Michigan Leadership Improvement Framework Endorsement, Program which will begin in January 2008.
The call has gone out for administrators to apply to be among the first 200 participants in the Michigan Leadership Improvement Framework Endorsement Program.
Top […]

The high school redesign strategy known as “schools within schools” where large high schools are broken up into smaller schools or units has not produced as much success as hoped.
A new book tells a cautionary tale about that understudied alternative, training its sights on five high schools examined closely over time. What emerges is largely […]

The Michigan Merit Curriculum High School Graduation Requirements Frequently Asked Questions document has been updated. The FAQ document presents and clarifies the latest policy decisions regarding the implementation of the Michigan Merit Curriculum into the classroom.
The document is divided into sections with links for easy maneuvering around in the document. The […]

The Michigan Department of Education has issued its first take on granting credit in the Michigan Merit Curriculum, particularly in Career and Technical Education and Integrated Math and Science. While the concept of “performance vs. seat time” is still in its infancy, MDE is very interested in schools that will venture forward to shape […]

Promotions and Job Changes
★ Dennis Kemp, principal, Kosciuszko Middle School in Hamtramck, Michigan, will be taking over the Davidson Middle School principalship in Southgate this fall.
★ Michael Greening is the new principal of Royal Oak High School. Michael is a 1984 graduate of the school.
★ Roger Bearss will take over the reins […]

Middle schools try new ways of advancing students who were held back
Samiha Khanna, Staff Writer
It’s easy to spot middle school students who have been held back. They loom over other students, and sometimes they are taller than their teachers, too. They know their way around every corner of the school. And it seems as […]

From the President
Claudia Werner
Auf wiedersehn, tschus, zi jian, adios, au revoir, farewell…
No matter the language, it is always difficult to say good-bye. I will be retiring as Principal of Alpena High School on June 30, 2007, and, as many of you already know, moving with my husband, David, to the United Kingdom to assume the […]

The following schools all recorded one student with a perfect ACT score during the MME testing. Learn more about how your students did at the Summer Retreat!!
East Lansing High School
Ann Arbor Pioneer High School (2)
Rochester High School
Grosse Pointe South High School
Grand Blanc Community School
Saline High School
Detroit Country Day School
Warren Mott High School
Waverly High […]

From the Middle
Diane McMillan, Associate Director
Another school year has come and gone and this year has seen many serious conversations about the importance of middle level education. From what I’ve heard as I’ve traveled in different circles, I’d like to share some predictions about what middle level educators might expect to be hot topics […]

A quick guide to the Personal Curriculum is on the MDE website for review. You, the building administrator, play a major role in the process. At the first reading, it doesn’t look like there is a lot that deals with the principal directly. However, in practicality, the definition and supervision of the Personal […]

“Principals are bombarded with data, and this data overflow results in frustration, fragmentation of effort, dissipation of time, and the inability to connect data with student achievement. We might think of this project as bringing order out of chaos through a systematic use of the data that actually makes a difference in student learning.”
Sixteen […]

★Jennifer Fee, interim principal of East Grand Rapids High School, will become the permanent principal this fall. Jennifer replaces Patrick Cwyana, who left the post in January to become a special consultant to the president of Grand Rapids Community College.
★Chuck Mungall, principal of Fulton High School for over 20 years, will be the next […]

A Closer Look at College Admissions and Placement Tests
Why Achieve Studied Admissions and Placement Tests
College admissions and placement tests play a crucial role in the American education system. Over two million students each year take the ACT or SAT tests, and the results help postsecondary institutions make critical decisions about who will go to […]

From The MIDDLE
Diane McMillan
Associate Director
“Change or Die!”

I was at the retirement reception for Dr. Mary Leiker, Kentwood Public Schools superintendent, this weekend when this quotation (obviously one of her favorites) flashed up on the screen during her tribute video.
There was a nervous laughter throughout the room as people recognized this quote as one […]

Michigan Promise Scholarship speech insert for graduation ceremonies
This year’s graduates, the Class of 2007, are ushering in a new era of educational opportunity in Michigan. Our state has made a new commitment—and it begins with this class. And that commitment is this: Because we want all members of the Class of 2007 […]

Now that school is out, take a little time to nominate the 2007 -2008 MASSP Administrators of the Year in the following categories:

High School Principal of the Year
Middle Level Principal of the Year
CTE Administrator of the Year
Assistant Principal of the Year
The criteria for selection is as follows:
• Principal nominations must have at […]

The 2007 Election for MASSP Leadership is now complete. For 2007 - 2008 the Board of Directors will be:

President -Dave Feenstra, Principal, Hudsonville HS
President Elect - Dave Barry, Principal, Walled Lake Central HS
 
Past President - Mark Thomas, Northview HS, Grand Rapids
*Special Note–Because President Claudia Werner is going to England (May Legislative Bulletin), Mark Thomas […]

Dear Educator:
The purpose of this letter is to seek input regarding your school’s interest level in participating in a unique no-cost online pilot program that promotes rigorous scholarly research opportunities for select high school students. Michigan Virtual School (MVS) has developed the new Online Scholars Community Advanced Research (OSCAR) opportunity that allows small […]

The Michigan Department of Education has developed prototypes of end-of-course exams in two areas: Algebra I and Geometry. These exams were written by Michigan educators last summer and were pilot-tested in Michigan classrooms in January. They represent a first attempt to create instruments that schools can use.
The prototype exams cannot at this time be […]

A new MDOE-HIGHSCHOOL.LISTSERV is now available to distribute general Michigan high school graduation requirement announcements and information. The Michigan Department of Education will use the MDOE-HIGHSCHOOL LISTSERV to expand communication to administrators, building principals, teachers, parents, and community members – virtually any interested party who would like to receive current […]

A Closer Look at College Admissions and Placement Tests
Why Achieve Studied Admissions and Placement Tests
College admissions and placement tests play a crucial role in the American education system. Over two million students each year take the ACT or SAT tests, and the results help postsecondary institutions make critical decisions about who will go […]

Preventing Dropout Disasters
By Janet King, Educational Programs Director
Career Training Concepts, Inc.
jking@careertrain.com
Greg is a 15-year-old freshman. He is quiet, doesn’t usually cause any trouble, easy to over-look. After a little investigating, you learn that his mom is incarcerated, so he lives with his stepfather. Greg’s grades are dropping and he’s been in two fights […]