On Friday, April 19 the Detroit News released a story exposing the existence of a secret education workgroup, which included top advisors from the Governors office. Once exposed, the group claimed to be working on finding ways to drive more technology innovation into education, though elements of the group's work suspiciously resembled creating a voucher-like school funding system.

As you know there has been a great deal of debate occurring in Lansing over the last three weeks focused on the Michigan Merit Curriculum. The MASSP Board of Directors has taken a position to support the continuation of the MMC “as is.” As the Executive Director of the Association I have been actively engaged in maintaining the current requirements by meeting with legislators, testifying before committee and providing interviews.

This is the time of year when various magazines publish lists of “The Best High Schools” in the state and in the nation. The school's named to the various lists have excellent student achievement in a variety of areas - GPA, ACT scores and AP scores are the most common factors considered. Congratulations to all who made the list, it is quite an accomplishment and there is no doubt that the Principals' leadership is significant in making this happen!

A group of educators has created a new curriculum initiative for teachers. The School House Curriculum Consortium provides resources to teachers in grades K-9. They are taking the K-9 common core program of studies for mathematics and language arts and breaking the program into specific, incremental objectives. From these, the consortium members are developing pre-tests, independent learning activities, worksheets, post-tests and real world associations and applications that match each specific objective.

The House Education Committee could vote as soon as Wednesday, April 24 on legislation to overhaul the Michigan Merit Curriculum. MASSP testified this past Wednesday in opposition to the legislation, but it is imperative that members CONTACT THEIR LAWMAKERS (or contact them again if you have already sent an email or made a phone call) and urge a NO vote on HB 4465-66.