Dear MAISA Member,

The latest MAISA InSiDe Update is a true testament to the incredible power of our collaboration with so many members across our state. It's through our collective effort that this update, and so many of our successes, are made possible. Each achievement highlighted here reflects the dedication and shared vision of every person involved. We are a strong association, and this update proudly showcases what we can accomplish when we work together. This is a powerful reminder that we are Better Together.

Here are my three things:

• Check out the national MiGreatDataLake award! We continue to build this innovative system to further support tools and processes that will all improve academic achievement, professional development, and strategies to support educators across the state. 
• The update also includes information on early childhood education, literacy coaching, the Early Math Institute, dyslexia resources, Medicaid school services training, and cybersecurity.
• Plus, it details 12c-Consolidation Grant reports, MDE EWIMS training, and the Developing Inclusive Leaders initiative.

Once again, thank you for your commitment to all of these initiatives. Please make sure you share it with your team and thank them from all of us for the work that they do every day.

We are Better Together,

j

• MiGreatDataLake honored with 2025 Amazon Web Services (AWS) Champion Award
• Early Childhood Administrative Network (ECAN)
• July 2025 Update/Newsletter
• Building Social Bridges for Families with Young Children
• Literacy Coaching Cycle Data Collection
• 2025 Literacy Coaching Institute
• 2025 Early Math Leadership Institute
• PA146 Dyslexia Law Resources
• 12c-Consolidation Grant Annual Reports: ISD Leadership Driving Statewide Impact – Better Together!
• Medicaid School Services Program Training
• Who's Watching Your Network When You're Away?
• Summer/Fall MDE EWIMS Training 
• Developing Inclusive Leaders initiative

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

Previous InSiDe Updates

Want to view the previous edition of the InSiDe Update? Click here to view the June 2025 edition.

Ben Davidson and wife, Becky Leisenring, Dr. John Severson, Doug Leisenring, Tami Mannes, Tammy Evans, Amanda Stoel, Mike Rohwer, Mike Coats, Merri Lynn Colligan, Erin Pell, Laura Terbrack, Bryan Smith, Mark Maynard, Diane Talo (pictured left to right)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) honored with 2025 AWS Champions Award 

WASHINGTON – July 29, 2025 – The Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Amazon Web Services (AWS) Champions Award, recognizing the groundbreaking work in developing the Michigan Great Data Lake (MiGreatDataLake) in partnership with and on behalf of Michigan ISDs. This cloud-native data architecture is set to revolutionize how Michigan's education system collects, manages, and utilizes data to foster student success from prenatal stages through workforce entry.

Building upon the data interoperability foundation of the Michigan Data Hub (MiDataHub), MAISA's launch of MiGreatDataLake ushers in a new era of educational intelligence for the state. The platform enables advanced analytics, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) capabilities, and enhanced future scalability.

For over a decade, MiDataHub has supported statewide interoperability by standardizing and distributing essential education data for school districts. While effective, its capabilities were limited for advanced use cases such as machine learning, predictive analytics, and unstructured data management. MiGreatDataLake, hosted on AWS, is designed to overcome these limitations by ingesting and transforming both structured and unstructured data using best-in-class pipelines, cleansing tools, and governance frameworks. This comprehensive platform will support initiatives ranging from early warning systems and early literacy to personalized learning pathways, all powered by integrated, high-quality data at scale.

"MAISA and our education partners sought to address several limitations inherent in legacy architecture, including limited scalability for statewide or cross-agency analytics, inability to support AI/ML tools for predictive or personalized insights, fragmentation of data systems across districts, and the desire to build a prenatal-to-workforce data continuum. With MiGreatDataLake, Michigan is building a statewide education data trust to deliver deep insights, support strategic planning, and enable data-driven instruction focused on successful learning pathways for all students," said Tammy L. Evans, Director, MiCH IT and Project Development Director, MiGreatDataLake.

Though still in its early implementation phase, MiGreatDataLake is already demonstrating potential for significant impact. Statewide applications are migrating to the new platform, including those supporting literacy and student risk identification. MAISA anticipates a tenfold scale-up of Michigan's early warning and literacy systems once fully transitioned. Furthermore, the architecture is designed to support advanced analytics and AI, unlocking new opportunities for innovation in educational equity and personalized learning. This work is made possible by a grant from the Michigan Department of Education and the expert contributions of all Michigan education associations.

The Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing educational leadership and services across Michigan's intermediate school districts. MAISA plays a vital role in fostering innovation, collaboration, and improved outcomes for students throughout the state.

Contact:

Alisha Dixon

adixon@gomaisa.org

###

Dear colleagues,

I invite you to explore these early childhood resources. This collection includes information on legislative advocacy for early childhood funds. You'll also find state updates on Michigan's MiFamily Engagement Centers and the latest GSRP State Evaluation report from MSU. Finally, there are federal resources highlighting efforts to improve child care, including Connecticut's early childhood education endowment fund and a breakdown of federal funding streams.

Legislative

The Bulletin from ECIC showcases the need for continued advocacy in early childhood, particularly around 32p, which includes the Great Start Collaboratives and Family Coalitions, home visiting, and early literacy efforts. These funds were proposed to be rolled up in 22f in the House budget. Act now to protect these funds. Click the Bulletin link above for more information and other early childhood news.

State Updates and Information

These two resources feature the work happening in Michigan. 

• The MiFamily Engagement Centers were designed as a regional system of support and may include literacy and family partnership training, technical assistance, resource development, and region-specific family partnership initiatives. MiLEAP created this document that features the work of each of the MiFamily Engagement Centers. Check out the work happening in the 10 regions!
• GSRP has a long history of evaluation. MSU leads these efforts and provides a website with maps and research reports. In April, MSU released the GSRP State Evaluation 2023-2024 Annual Report. Highlights include child demographics, eligibility factors, CLASS scores, new GSRP sites, and much more. 

Federal Landscape

Looking across the federal landscape, these two resources can help inform possible ways to improve child care in Michigan. The first link is to an article about Connecticut, who created an endowment fund to support each childhood education in their state. The second link shows the federal funding streams for child care and early childhood education.  

• Treasurer Russell Announces Investment of $300 Million in Newly Created Early Childhood Education
• Federal Funding Streams for Child Care and Early Childhood Education

Best regards,

Amy Brauer

ECAN Director and ELPL PreK Coordinator

Great news! 440 coaching cycle reports were submitted for the 2024-25 school year!

These reports represented 49 ISDs and over 200 coaches. This coaching work had an impact on over 5,500 students in Michigan!

We are excited to compile the data and share the findings in our next InSiDe Update!

On August 13 and 14, over 420 coaches will join MAISA's annual Institute to kick off the 2025-26 school year!

Participants will learn from Dr. Alison Fox-Resnick, meet with their regional coach leads and other coaches in their region, and sharpen their coaching skill set with Steve Seward.

We are also thrilled to have Dr. Tanya Wright presenting the findings from the EPIC study on the impact of coaching.

New This Year

Following each coaching event, a one-page newsletter will provide all the highlights, takeaways, and links to key resources. The aforementioned will be in the InSiDe Update and sent out via email to various networks.

Under MAISA's direction, a joint workgroup composed of ISD leaders representing GELN General Education Leadership Network (GELN) and Special Education Instructional Leadership Network (SEILN) began planning in October of 2024, soon after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Public Act 146 into law. 

This workgroup has created resources to help our 56 ISDs unpack the new requirements as they support Michigan's 835 Public School Districts. 

An RBG3/PA146 Crosswalk and a Timeline of Responsibilities have been through several feedback loops. These documents are written in both a summary form as well as a more detailed form and are available for public use. The documents can be found on the MAISA webpage.

The joint workgroup has now begun working on companion documents to assist ISDs as they support LEAs through this transition: a PA146 rollout slide deck and a Curriculum Adoption and Implementation Guidance document. The anticipated timeline for these additional resources is November 2025.

MAISA would like to recognize and praise the dedication of this workgroup, who have gone above and beyond to create clear, usable resources to support ISDs and LEAs in the implementation of PA146.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) invite local and intermediate school district administrators, as well as direct service professionals who deliver health care services to students, to attend a half-day training focused on the Michigan Medicaid School Services Program. 

This training will offer a comprehensive overview of the program and its critical components, including Medicaid claiming, documentation compliance, and effective implementation strategies. Multiple sessions will be offered, with content tailored to specific audiences, ensuring relevant, role-specific guidance. Participants will gain practical insights into how local and intermediate school districts can:

• Maximize Medicaid reimbursement.
• Improve operational efficiency.
• Reduce administrative burden. 

Registration is now open for training in Marquette (August 27 and 28), Gaylord (September 25 and 26), and Detroit (October 28 and 29). Registration for training in Grand Rapids (October 23 and 24) and Lansing (November 3 and 4) will be available soon. For more information, please contact MDE-OHS@Michigan.gov.

On June 30, 2025, the 12c-Consolidation Grant annual reports for MiGreatDataLakes, MiSEN, MiCloud, and MiNOC were submitted to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). These reports are crucial for detailing the progress, impact, and financial stewardship of consolidation efforts across our state's educational landscape. The reports showcase how these ISD-led initiatives collaborate to consolidate infrastructure, enhance services, and create efficiencies in support of serving students, educators, and districts. 

Why These Reports Matter:

• Transparency and Accountability: They provide a transparent overview of how 12c grant funds, awarded to and managed by ISDs, are utilized to consolidate infrastructure, creating a “spend once, benefit many” approach, allowing cost savings to be redirected to student services and improved learning resources. 
• Performance Measurement: They detail crucial metrics such as the number of students impacted, the educational entities involved, and the total cost savings.
• Future Planning and Sustainability: They highlight that full implementation over the next two years and beyond is crucial for fully realizing the projected benefits, indicating the long-term vision and commitment to the sustainability of these initiatives.

MiSEN: Enhanced Connectivity and Savings

• MiSEN provides high-speed internet and robust cybersecurity to Michigan schools.
• It will impact an additional 15,112 students starting July 2025, ensuring uninterrupted internet for learning.
• Through strong collaboration, MiSEN projects ~$4M in annual cost savings and a 300% ROI via E-Rate funding.
• Fiscal agent is Shiawassee RESD.

MiGreatDataLake (MiGDL): Empowering Data Decisions

• MiGDL will centralize Michigan's educational data into a scalable cloud platform.
• It will impact 1.4 million students and 381,571 educators, using AI to personalize learning pathways.
• Collaboration is projected to yield 8x value in tangible savings, with a net ROI of 830-843%. 
• The fiscal agent is Copper Country ISD.

MiCloud: Secure & Cost-Effective Cloud Solutions

• MiCloud offers unified, secure cloud hosting for ISDs, LEAs, and PSAs.
• It is already impacting 52,730 students, ensuring uninterrupted access to learning resources.
• Strong partnerships project $313,616 in annual savings and a 53% ROI for disaster recovery.
• Fiscal agent is Kalamazoo RESA

MiNOC: Optimized Network Access, Locally Led

• MiNOC consolidates Network Operations Center services for 5 ISDs and 27 school districts.
• It impacts 30,994 students, ensuring uninterrupted learning and allowing districts to reallocate funds.
• The collaborative model projects $750,000 in savings through phone system migration, with a 15.4% ROI. 
• Fiscal agent is Wexford-Missaukee ISD. 

These consolidation efforts, powered by ISD leadership and a spirit of collaboration, are making a significant impact. We are truly Better Together!

To view the reports and learn more, please visit: https://www.gomaisa.org/projects/consolidation-of-services-studies.

While many were out camping over the July 4th holiday, the MiSecure Security Operations Center (SOC) was actively responding to a real cybersecurity attack on a Michigan school district.

The district's firewall — the device that normally protects all internal systems — had been compromised. An attacker gained access and used it as a launchpad to target internal servers. Fortunately, two of those servers were protected by CrowdStrike, which detected the suspicious activity, isolated the servers from the network, and alerted the district's IT director.

But there was a problem: the IT director was on vacation and out of cell phone range.

Thankfully, MiSecure and the ISD also received the alerts and were able to quickly contact the district superintendent. Because of their strong partnership with the ISD, the MiSecure team was able to access the district's firewall, disable remote access, and shut down the compromised accounts.

When the IT director returned, they worked with the SOC team to confirm that no data had been stolen, vulnerabilities had been resolved, and systems were safely restored.

So, who's watching your sensitive student and staff data while your team takes well-deserved time off?

Even during the best of times, schools often operate with lean IT staff. That makes holiday coverage especially challenging — and unfortunately, attackers know this. That's why 24/7 cybersecurity protection is critical.

The good news? Michigan districts can get it — at no cost.

All Michigan K12 school servers are eligible for a fully funded Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solution called CrowdStrike Falcon Complete. This software provides real-time monitoring, automated threat response, and access to cybersecurity experts around the clock. Districts that join the free MiSecure cybersecurity project also get access to the SOC team during incidents.

To learn more or get started, visit https://www.misecure.org/.

Registration for the Summer/Fall MDE EWIMS training is now open! 

To participate in MiEWIMS Cohort I, it is critical that your team receive the 2-day, online training provided by MDE. We strongly support ISD Consultants, Coaches, and Continuous Improvement Facilitators to take advantage of this impactful framework for secondary MTSS.

There are two opportunities for your team to take advantage of this important learning offering - two days in August or two days in September.

To ensure a spot for your entire team, sign up now!

Click here to register.

The Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE) is proud to launch the second cohort of the Developing Inclusive Leaders initiative—a professional learning opportunity designed to strengthen the capacity of building-level leaders to better support students with disabilities, their families, and the educators who serve them.

As Michigan continues its commitment to inclusive practices across PK–12 settings, this initiative offers district and school leaders the practical tools and knowledge needed to ensure every student has access to a high-quality education in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

Why This Matters for Your District

Building leaders are key to creating systems where special educators thrive and students with disabilities are fully included in general education settings. This program:

• Promotes inclusive school cultures, improves instructional leadership, and strengthens family-school partnerships.
• Provides actionable strategies to fulfill LRE expectations and advance equity-centered, inclusive leadership.

Three Flexible Levels of Engagement

To meet districts where they are, the Developing Inclusive Leaders program offers three levels of engagement:

1 - Foundations 

• On-Demand Modules; and
• Digital Downloads; and
• 13 SCECHs

2 - Advancing 

• On-Demand Modules; and
• Digital Downloads; and
• Physical Guidebooks and Anchor Texts; and
• 6 In-Person events; and
• 13 SCECHs

3 - Transformation – A comprehensive experience that includes:

• Individualized mentoring/coaching through MASSP or MEMSPA; and
• On-Demand Modules; and
• Digital Downloads; and
• Physical Guidebooks and Anchor Texts; and
• 6 In-Person events; and
• Eligibility for up to 15 graduate credits from Western Michigan University (WMU) toward a:
• Central Office Endorsement (15 credits),
• Building Principal Endorsement (12 credits), or
• Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree.

Additionally, participants will earn the new Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Developing Inclusive Leaders Enhancement, which can be added to their existing administrative certificate — further recognizing their specialized expertise in inclusive leadership.

To illustrate the value:

• WMU's current rate for online graduate credits is $834.41 per credit hour
• 12 credits = $10,012.92 in value
• 15 credits = $12,516.15 in value

Participants will receive this benefit through our program for just $5,500 — an incredible financial and professional opportunity. The program is free for Cohort 1.

Take the First Step – At No Cost

District and building level leadership teams can explore the program through the following resources (including a free introductory module):

• Module 1 (free access)
• Flyer with details on each engagement level
• MAASE Webpage for Developing Inclusive Leaders

If you'd like to schedule an overview session or have questions about implementation or cohort options, contact Cheryl-Marie Manson, Project Manager at CherylMarieManson@maase.org.

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