Dear ISD Superintendents,

Welcome to your latest InSiDe Update! This edition highlights the powerful synergy between MAISA and Michigan's ISDs, a partnership that fosters innovation and ensures a bright future for every child in our state. Crucially, this vital work thrives only when we cultivate environments where everyone feels included and valued in our shared mission to ensure all students succeed. Thank you for your invaluable contributions and unwavering passion in 

making a profound positive difference.

Inside this edition, you'll discover:

• The Strength of Inclusive Preschool: Explore the compelling research championed by MAISA and implemented by ISDs, demonstrating the profound benefits of inclusive preschool settings for every young learner.
• Igniting New Early Math Practices: Discover groundbreaking Early Math instructional practices being developed and shared across ISDs.
• Amplifying Parent Voices: Learn how the Early Childhood Administrative Network (ECAN), in partnership with MAISA initiatives, prioritizes and integrates parent perspectives to strengthen early childhood programs statewide.
• Tech Tools for Transformation: Explore the latest technology updates and resources strategically deployed by ISDs, with MAISA's support, to empower educators and enhance learning experiences. Plus, celebrating the work of MiSEN and their plans to begin network upgrades starting in July.
• Statewide Initiatives in Action: Get updates on key programs like PreK for All and MiLEAP, showcasing how MAISA and ISDs work hand-in-hand with our excellent partners to expand opportunities for Michigan's students.
• Investing in Educator Excellence: Learn about the Intensive Coaching Institute and other professional learning opportunities facilitated through the MAISA-ISD network to elevate instructional practices.
• Expanding Learning Through the Michigan Learning Channel: See how ISDs are leveraging this valuable resource, a collaborative effort supported by MAISA, to enrich educational experiences across the state.
• Valuable Resources for Your Success: Explore a curated collection of resources and opportunities designed to amplify your efforts in supporting Michigan's diverse learners, a testament to the collective impact of ISDs and MAISA.

With all of the amazing work happening, the InSiDe Update continues to grow in size each month! To ensure you get all of the news, please be sure to click "View entire message" at the bottom of this message to view the full newsletter.

We are Better Together,

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• Case for Preschool Inclusion
• Early Math Instructional Practices: Igniting Innovation
• Early Math-23h
• Early Childhood Administrative Network (ECAN): Parent Voices Driving Quality in PreK Education
• PreK for All
• MiLEAP Early Education
• Intensive Coaching Institute at Ferndale Lower Elementary School
• Invest in Building Regional Capacity for Balanced Assessment
• Michigan Learning Channel (MLC)
• Apply now for MiCoach Compass
• MiSEN: Celebrating Collaborative Success
• MiGreatDataLake: Consolidation of Services Grant
• ISD PR Communication Center
• MAISA in the News: MAISA Leaders Champion Literacy Efforts in Michigan
• Title IX Training
• $23 Billion Investment in Michigan School Buildings Needed, Report Says
• Empowering School Staff Wellness Through Self-Care
• Advancing Michigan’s Special Education with OPTIMISE
• Turning Headlines Into Heartlines: Limitless Potential Webinar

Note: Please be sure to click "View entire message" at the bottom of this email to view the full newsletter!

Now that you have explored the what of preschool inclusion in a previous edition of the InSiDe Update, this month, we will focus on the why.

While IDEA requires consideration of how to include children with disabilities in settings with their non-disabled peers with appropriate modifications, accommodations, services, and supports before considering any other options, this is backed up by research and has benefits for all children. Here are a few of the research benefits for children with and without disabilities as described in the Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs published by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in November 2023. (A link to the full document is provided in the Resources section.)  

• Children with disabilities can make significant developmental and learning gains in inclusive settings.
• Some research indicates greater cognitive and communication development for children with disabilities with services provided in inclusive settings more than children educated in segregated settings.  
• Children with disabilities served in inclusive settings showed stronger social-emotional skills than their peers in separate settings.
• Children with disabilities who spend more time in general education classes tend to:
• Have better attendance
• Have higher test scores in reading and math
• Have a higher probability of employment and higher earnings
• All children benefit from inclusive educational settings. Children without disabilities also showed positive gains in academic, developmental, social, and attitudinal outcomes. Specifically, children without disabilities showed improved social skills such as communication and cooperation and fewer problem behaviors.
• Children without disabilities also showed greater compassion and empathy when peer interactions were supported by teachers. 

As reported in the January InSiDe Update, in 2019, Michigan was ranked in the bottom 10% nationally for providing inclusive services to children with disabilities, with only 21% of children ages 3 to 5 receiving services alongside their non-disabled peers (meaning in an inclusive setting). Whereas nationally, approximately 44% of children 3 to 5 are educated alongside their non-disabled peers. Understanding the importance of educating children in inclusive settings is vital to children’s growth and development and change the child’s learning trajectory as shown through the research. It’s time to do better!

Below are a few resources for additional information on preschool inclusion.

Reading material

• Brief_Inclusion_Fact_Sheet_R.pdf
• Research_Supporting_Preschool_Inclusion_R.pdf
• Preschool Inclusion Key Findings from Research and Implications for Policy April.pdf
• Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs
• ECTA Center: Policy and Position Statements on Inclusion

Listening material

• Think Inclusive Podcast

View the full document here.

View the full document here.

View full document here.

Early education programs have been in the news with changes to the federal workforce making headlines. Team MiLEAP continues to do everything we can to support kids and families in Michigan every single day. Here is a snapshot of what we’ve been up to:

Making things just a little bit easier: A few years ago, the State of Michigan launched a single electronic login (MiLogin) in for most services offered by the State. Child Care Scholarship was not included in the initial launch- which left providers to navigate multiple passwords and a separate login for scholarship. We are happy to report that as of March 23rd, Child Care Scholarship can be accessed through MiLogin. More information for child care providers can be found by clicking 'Provider Billing Guidance' on our public website. There are guides and videos available.

Who loves data? Progress on PreK for All: During the last couple weeks, we've shared some great progress toward PreK for All. I've attached a brief our team has pulled together to give a snapshot of where we are. Here are a couple of fast facts:

• Enrollment: We are now serving 56% of all 4-year-olds in Michigan
• Expansion: We’re investing in our early educators! Over 2,000 early educators have received a TEACH scholarship this year!
• Outreach: Our recent enrollment campaign reached 173,405 families. That has increased visits to MIPreKForAll.org by 2,380%
• Alignment: We’re fostering collaboration across the early childhood system with strong feedback loops, engagement with the field and that survey I you all filled out. We know you want to be involved, and we are making sure we can stay connected.

Oak Park, Mich. – The most recent Intensive Coaching Institute, held over four dynamic days during the week of April 7, 2025 at Ferndale Lower Elementary School, offered participants an immersive opportunity to deepen their coaching skills in alignment with all seven of the Essential Coaching Practices.

This Intensive featured focused professional learning around Essential Instructional Practice 2: Interactive Read Alouds, provided by Dr. Tanya Wright. The activities set the stage for rich learning experiences where coach participants actively engaged in literacy-specific coaching, practiced conversation strategies to mediate teacher thinking, and honed their skills in small-group literacy instruction.

A hallmark of the Intensives is the layered, constructive feedback provided throughout, allowing participants to reflect on their practice, refine their coaching skills, and leave with heightened confidence and expertise. This feedback-rich environment encouraged deep professional growth and supported sustained development in literacy coaching practices.

“The coaching intensive was amazing! I learned so much and really was able to hone in on things that I was unsure or unconfident about. Every teacher needs a coach, but I learned that every coach needs a coach as well. It was really nice to share ideas, strategies, and experiences with people in the same role as myself. This gave me a greater perspective and appreciation for our work grounded in the Literacy Essentials," said Amanda Murray, a participant from NC RESA (Newaygo County RESA).

The energy, collaboration, and shared commitment to advancing literacy instruction made this Intensive a meaningful experience for all involved!

Click here to view the full document.

The Michigan Learning Channel (MLC) has released its April 2025 update highlighting MAISA's partnership with Detroit PBS that brings Literacy Essentials to life through the super engaging literacy broadcast series, Read, Write, ROAR!

The latest update also includes:

• Summer Learning Updates & Resources
• MLC's 2024 Success Report
• Creative ideas for using resources like EduPaths and Michigan Virtual.

Want to dive into all the details? You can read the full update on Smore here!

MiCoachCompass, MAISA's tool for supporting the work of instructional coaches, will be available statewide for the 2025-26 schoolyear cohort. Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2025. To apply, click here.

MiCoachCompass is a platform designed to empower instructional coaches by utilizing data for growth, providing documentation and collaboration spaces, and by centering coaching around essential, research-based practices.

For more information, contact Erin Pell at epell@gomaisa or visit www.gomaisa.org/projects/micoachcompass.

View the full update here.

We are very excited to share a consolidation of services grant opportunity around student data and new technologies that will provide a direct lens into the whole child for our educators and teachers. We are calling this initiative MiGreatDataLake. This is an extension of the MiDataExchange work we started six years ago. MiDataExchange is the data system that uses our MiRead and MiEWIMS systems to populate data from the student information systems. This project will give us the resources and expertise to modernize and greatly improve those systems and to build others together. 

The Consolidation of Services grant award is for $13.5m. Copper Country ISD is the fiscal agency.

Learn about the MiGreatDataLake mission! 

Click the link below to watch our 2-minute video.

 https://migreatdatalake.org 

Here’s the plan!

Here’s the timeline!

Submitted by Gerri Allen for the ISD PR Network

In addition to other topics, at the April 2025 ISD PR Network meeting, we highlighted the following communication tools you may find useful:

• Extolling the Value of ISDs—Employ these AI-generated social media posts from selected ISD information to keep telling the ISD story. Use #MichiganISDs; #HereforAllMIStudents when you post. Bonus Tip: Upload your annual report into AI tools to generate social media content.
• Sharing about Special Education—The Limitless Potential Campaign designed by ISD PR Network members with the Special Education Instructional Leaders Network (SEILN) and the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE) has vetted messages and copy, stock images and user-friendly language. When you post, use: #MILimitlessPotential, #AllMeansAll, #ItTakesAVillage. [Use this link to access Canva. Select your “projects” tab to get the materials under the “Limitless Potential” campaign.] A how-to webinar is set for May 1 at 3 p.m.
• Promoting Early Literacy—The statewide Early Literacy Media Campaign is live! The campaign materials and website readwithmi.org developed with 35i grant funds awarded by MiLEAP to Berrien RESA are research-based, well-done and easy-to-use. 
• Check out 10+ Take Aways from the April 11, 2025 ISD PR Network meeting.



A recent Bridge Michigan article titled, "School offers a peek at the science of reading — can it boost scores in Michigan?" highlights the growing movement in Michigan schools to embrace the "science of reading" to improve student literacy. This evidence-based approach focuses on structured literacy, ensuring a strong foundation in phonics, word recognition, and comprehension.

Crucially, the article spotlights the significant role of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) in this statewide effort. The piece notes that MAISA leaders are actively observing the positive impact of literacy coaching across the state. All 56 of Michigan's intermediate school districts are participating by sharing data to assess the effectiveness of these initiatives. This collaborative approach, facilitated by MAISA, demonstrates a unified commitment to improving literacy outcomes for all Michigan students and describes the vital leadership role MAISA and its member ISDs play in driving positive change in literacy education across Michigan.

The article underscores the state's investment in teacher training programs and curriculum vetting, aligning with the structured literacy principles championed by the "science of reading." The early positive results from districts like Stockbridge Community Schools offer an encouraging glimpse into the potential of this approach.

Read the full article at https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/school-offers-peek-science-reading-can-it-boost-scores-michigan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 21, 2025

Contact:

Bob Wheaton, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs, 517-241-4395

Ken Coleman, Department Spokesperson, 517-241-4395

LANSING – A nearly $23 billion investment is necessary to carry out much-needed infrastructure work in schools across Michigan over 10 years, according to a recent presentation to the State Board of Education. 

The report, produced by Plante Moran Realpoint and in collaboration with Barton Malow Builders, overseen by the School Finance Research Foundation, focuses on school facility heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; plumbing; roofing; fire prevention; and electrical service needs.

In 2023, state lawmakers passed into law Section 11y of the State School Aid Act to provide funding for a comprehensive statewide school facility study. The School Finance Research Foundation recently delivered the 336-page report to the state House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on School Aid, state budget director, House and Senate fiscal agencies, and the Michigan Department of Education.

Ninety-three percent of the schools identified participated in the study. Traditional public schools participated in the study.

“This study only looked at health, safety, and wellness components of K-12 instructional school buildings,” and did not include other potential costs, including technology equipment, administrative, athletic, playground or transportation facilities. It also does not address replacing interior finishes, parking lots or other instructional buildings dedicated to preschool or adult education, or modernizing building configurations to meet current instructional practices," said Mr. Steven Ezikian, executive director, School Finance Research Foundation. He was joined during the presentation to the State Board of Education by Dr. Diane Golzynski, deputy superintendent of the Michigan Department of Education Division of Business, Health, and Library Services. 

The study was conducted over a period of 18 months and included over 243 million square feet of school building space. The determined costs were identified over a 10-year period. In terms of critical need in the next 1-3 years, $5.3 billion is required; in terms of near-term need in the next 4-6 years, $6.9 billion is necessary; and in terms of long-term need in the next 7-9 years, $10.5 billion is necessary.

“As educational leaders in Michigan, the health, safety, and wellness of our students is our top priority—the conditions of the schools and facilities where our students learn, grow, and compete are equally important to support a safe learning environment where everyone can thrive,” said Dr. Daveda Colbert, superintendent of the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency. “The data collected for this report will not only provide districts with detailed building-level information that can further inform their decision-making, but continue to contribute towards the state’s understanding of the true costs of educating our students. We look forward to working with our state lawmakers to ensure that schools have the funding they need to modernize and maintain their buildings, based on this historic study and its findings.”

State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice spoke highly of the report and its findings.

“Strong learning environments include not just great staff, top-notch instructional materials, and modern technology but also buildings that are in good repair, with frequent air exchange and a reasonable temperature throughout the year,” said Dr. Rice. “The report and its findings are consistent with Goal 3 of Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan and make a major contribution to our understanding of school district capital needs.”

Dr. Rice expressed appreciation for the improvement of school funding over the last three years, particularly the historic increases in fiscal years 2023 and 2024, but indicated that public schools remained underfunded by billions of dollars relative to the recommendations of the 2018 School Finance Research Collaborative study. He said a statewide referendum—which would involve members of the public collecting petition signatures to put a vote on the ballot—is needed to address the state’s school building needs and to increase the number of teachers, particularly in early elementary grades; support staff; and mental health staff.

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Read the full press release here.

In the highly demanding and often stressful school environment, the well-being of staff is not just important – it’s essential to the success and safety of both students and the entire school community.

The Michigan School Safety Initiative invites all educators, administrators, and support staff to join us for an enlightening and practical webinar on April 29, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern) to explore how prioritizing staff wellness creates a healthier, more supportive school climate. This one-hour session will equip you with practical strategies to enhance your well-being, helping you feel more empowered and effective in your role, fostering safer learning environments, and contributing to a positive overall atmosphere for everyone. Your wellness matters because when staff thrives, the entire school thrives.

Topics

• Capacity Building, Mental Health, School Climate
• Crisis Timeline
• Prevention Planning

Audience

• Mental Health Professionals
• Michigan schools 
• School Personnel

Learning Objectives

• Recognize your ability to harness your own power to optimize health and happiness
• Identify and implement strategies to improve your wellness
• Develop a personal plan for wellness improvement

Contributors/Speakers

• Miles Haney, Facilitator (Training Coordinator, Michigan School Safety Initiative)
• Dr. Brandi Ansley, PhD, MS (Associate Professor of Special Education, Central Michigan University)

Project Team

• Brent Miller (Training Manager, National Center for School Safety)
• Cindi Thronson (Project Manager, Michigan School Safety Initiative)
• Cassandra Johnson (School Safety Outreach Specialist, Michigan School Safety Initiative)

Continuing Education Credit

• This webinar is offered for an MSSI certificate of completion.

To learn more and to enroll, click here.

Please join us on May 1, 2025 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Eastern to learn how to access the Limitless Potential Toolkit through Canva! Experts will be on the call to help you access the toolkit and demonstrate how to update photos and content to share your district's stories.

This webinar is the third offering in a series over the past several months to help educators and communication professionals understand why the statewide messaging was created and how it can be accessed through Canva. 

There is no cost to attend, and everyone is welcome. Please register to get the webinar link. If you don't already have a free educator Canva account, please create one prior to the webinar. 

We hope to see you there!

Register today!

#MILimitlessPotential

Visit the MAISA Event Site to view monthly calendars and upcoming meetings and events.