Dear ISD/RESA Superintendents and First-line Administrators,

I can’t imagine a world without ISDs. The vision and collaboration each of you brings to ensure the success of all students is truly inspiring. A special thank you to our MAISA Board, Committees, Council Members, Networks, MAISA Team, and everyone who recently presented at MASA. It’s a privilege to be part of this shared space and collective effort. Here are my three things:

• MASA Conference/MAISA General Membership Meeting: We all had an amazing time together at the MASA Conference. During our meeting, we were only able to provide updates and a few hot topics. Most importantly, some of you may have an item that you want to lift up or have questions because, unfortunately, you were unable to attend or need more information. Here is the PowerPoint referencing a number of topics and conversations. Most importantly, please reach out if you need any support from me or my team. We are here to assist you.
• Dyslexia Bills: I want to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed their efforts and advocacy toward modifying legislation related to Dyslexia. While only a few minor changes were permitted, everyone should appreciate the passion and focus on making modifications that would have better outcomes. Going forward, if the bill is passed, our internal team will work with our Networks to process the next steps and explore ways to collaborate on proposed technical changes to present to legislators to consider so our systems can ensure that all students succeed!
• Early Childhood Summit: I am thrilled at the overwhelmingly positive and excited responses we've received from MAISA members regarding the Early Childhood Summit on October 10. With around 270 registered for Bath Township, 45 for the Northern Center, and various invited guests from our state departments, we anticipate more than 330 attendees!

We are Better Together,

j

Dr. John Severson

MAISA Executive Director

In this edition of the InSiDe Update:

• 2024 ISD Superintendent Early Childhood Summit
• Stories From the Field
• MI Student Voice Perception Survey
• Kent ISD's Listen.Learn.Lead – State of the Student
• EXPLORE Grant (Section 504) application is now open
• ISD PR Network Communication Center
• Michigan DataHub's 2nd Annual Users Conference
• Assessment Learning Network (ALN) 2024-2025 sessions
• 2023-24 Education Fellows Award
• MLC: Read.Write.Roar
• MAISA Fall Meetings
• MAISA website refresh
• The Value of ISDs

As the ISD Superintendent Early Childhood Summit rapidly approaches, we wanted to provide additional information ahead of the October 10, 2024 event.

The State of Michigan has continually put its faith in the 56 ISDs to administer and oversee the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) and other early childhood services and programs to serve our local families and communities. As the state continues to invest in systems and initiatives that expand access and equity to services and programs in early childhood, this event is a crucial opportunity to remind them that ISDs are their most valuable partners who must have a seat at the table.

We have shared the agenda for the day, created by the Early Childhood Administrators Network (ECAN) — members of your organizations.

The needs of our children and families continue to evolve with the diversification of Michigan residents and with the dramatic increase in child poverty and trauma due to the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By uniting our efforts and sharing our stories, we can support all families within our communities, ensure successful transitions into K-12, and set up all Michigan children to be successful, lifelong learners.

The registration deadline is September 26, 2024!

Northern Site:

Northern Center, 1401 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI 49855

Click here to register for the Northern Site

Southern Site:

Eagle Eye Golf Club, 15500 Chandler Rd, Bath Twp, MI 48808

Click here to register for the Southern Site

5.00 SCECHs can be earned by attending the Summit.

The MI Student Voice Perception Survey has been finalized and is out of the pilot phase!

Developed by Michigan Superintendents in 2019, the survey was created to address the need for a common measure to provide a more complete picture of the student experience. Participation has grown significantly, and the survey is now playing a transformative role in how education leaders across the state approach district and school improvement planning by prioritizing the voices of students. In Spring 2024, 108 districts administered the survey, representing over 70,000 student voices!

Listening to students is crucial in today's rapidly changing world. Students face various challenges, and by actively listening to them, educators can create more supportive and inclusive environments, foster engagement, and ensure that educational systems evolve to meet their needs. Furthermore, listening empowers students, giving them a sense of agency and helping to shape their learning experiences in meaningful ways.

You can hear it straight from the students in this video.

Today, MI Student Voice offers a suite of surveys designed to provide a holistic picture of the student experience, including the Student Perception Survey, Educator Perception Survey, and Parent/Guardian Perception Survey. This allows for the triangulation of data to better understand how the greater community feels about the school environment.

The following four administration windows are available to accommodate various spring break schedules and other state assessments:

• February 17 – March 7
• March 10 – March 28
• March 31 – April 18
• April 21 – May 9

The questions included are available to view and download here. 

Kent ISD will host the 3rd annual Listen.Learn.Lead – State of the Student on November 18 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids.

Listen.Learn.Lead is a student-led initiative that gives students the opportunity to share their voices.

"More than 250 educators, elected officials, and non-profit community members will receive an update on key initiatives happening in our schools from students from the Kent ISD Student Leadership Community," Kent ISD said.

To learn more about Listen.Learn.Lead and other Kent ISD initiatives, click here.

For FY25, $1 million has been allocated in MDE’s budget for a fresh set of Section 504 grants. During this round, intermediate school districts (ISDs), local education agencies (LEAs), and public school academies (PSAs) are invited to submit applications to not only build and sustain EXPLORE programs but also to provide tuition grants to eligible EXPLORE graduates, or to do both.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) continues its commitment to reducing teacher shortage and increasing recruitment into the teaching profession. MDE says middle and high school students benefit from early exposure programs such as EXPLORE, and from the two rounds of the Section 27b GYO School Staff grants to support dedicated teacher candidates who need unique levels of support, including tuition reimbursement.

Even if the schools or districts in your networks have not yet developed an EXPLORE program, they now can do so with this grant which can also be used to support graduates of the EXPLORE program with tuition reimbursements. To see examples of how other grantees have flexibly implemented EXPLORE to support their early recruitment efforts, please take a look at our Locally Designed Programs resource.

To help plan the application, the EXPLORE grant: Section 504 website features a downloadable template, among other helpful details about the grant.

If you have any questions, email MDE-EdWorkforceGrants@michigan.gov. 

To subscribe to the OEE’s Educationally Speaking newsletter for updates, click here.

A new statewide tool called “Limitless Potential: A Practical Toolkit to Influence Public Perception of Special Education” is now available to help tell our stories and build support for special education. The tool has been featured at several recent state meetings and conferences, including the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators (MASA) Fall Conference. It will also be showcased at an upcoming MAISA meeting and will roll out to Michigan schools soon.

Limitless Potential is a collaboration of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) ISD PR Network, Special Education Instructional Leaders Network (SEILN), Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE), and MSPRA. 

Over the summer, developers used feedback from key groups to fine-tune the campaign’s messages and tools, including user-friendly Canva templates. In early October, the Michigan School Public Relations Association (MSPRA) will host two no-cost Lunch and Learn virtual training sessions on using Canva templates and how to work with them in the Limitless Potential Toolkit. 

Canva Lunch and Learn

Want some pointers on best using Canva, the free online design platform? Join experts from Northwest Education Services’ REMC 2C Team as they teach practical Canva tips using templates from the soon-to-be-released toolkit for “Limitless Potential,” the statewide messaging campaign to build support for special education.

Register today for this no-cost, virtual MSPRA Lunch and Learn from noon to 1:00 pm on either October 3, 2024, or October 8, 2024.

• Register here for the October 3 session
• Register here for the October 8 session

The Michigan Data Hub team is excited for the upcoming 2nd Annual MiDataHub User Conference to be held October 14-15, 2024, at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, Michigan!

The conference is open to superintendents, technology directors, SIS administrators, and support staff who will explore the latest in data management and integration. 

Why Attend?

• Inspiration: Hear from thought leaders and innovators in the education data field.
• Connection: Network with peers who share your passion for data excellence.
• Knowledge: Gain insights and practical tips to take your data skills to the next level.

Registration for the 2nd Annual MiDataHub Users Conference will remain open until October 4, 2024, at midnight. To register, click here.

To reserve your room, please call Shanty Creek Resort at 866-486-7790.

A Draft Agenda is now available with information about session offerings. Currently, four unique learning tracks are planned for attendees that will focus on the following areas:

• Technical
• Actionable Data
• Vendor sharing
• Best Practices

Vendors will be present during Social Hour on October 14, 2024. A link to all conference participants will be sent out to registrants for the SCHED app after October 1, 2024.

The Assessment Learning Network (ALN) has released the complete list of 2024-2025 sessions featuring the theme “Creating Coherence: Instruction and Assessment in Secondary Classrooms that Engages and Motivates Today’s Learners."

Designed for everyone, including teachers, district teams, ISDs, and assessment facilitators, ALN offers SCECHs for each session.

September 30, 2024

Disciplinary Literacy and Student-Centered Assessment: A Perfect Combination

Elizabeth Birr Moje, GELN’s Disciplinary Literacy Leaders, and MAC Consultants

December 5, 2024

Disciplinary Literacy and Student-Centered Assessment in the Secondary English Language Arts Classroom

Christina Ponzio

March 11, 2025

Disciplinary Literacy and Student-Centered Assessment in the Secondary Mathematics Classroom

Pam Harris

May 13, 2025

Illuminating Implementation of Disciplinary Practices and Student-Centered Assessment in the Secondary Classroom

GELN’s Disciplinary Literacy Leaders, MAC Consultants, and Classroom Practitioners

Registration is open for individual sessions or a season pass for all four sessions at a discounted rate. Each individual session costs $100, and $275 for the ALN Season Pass.

To learn more and to register, click here.

Photo from left to right: Mike Latvis, Joe DeVault, Dr. John Severson, Jason Mellema, Jason Jeffrey, Jerry Johnson

On September 18, 2024, members of MAISA were excited for an impromptu opportunity to personally deliver the 2023-24 Education Fellows Award to Michigan State Representative Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) while attending the 2024 MASA Fall Conference in Traverse City.

Representative Regina Weiss received the coveted award from MAISA in response to her significant impact on Michigan education while serving as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Education. Her recent budget proposal, which called for increased funding for at-risk youth and special education programs, as well as a higher foundation allowance, are critical for meeting the diverse needs of our Michigan students.

As a member of the Michigan House of Representatives and its School Aid and Education Committee, Weiss has worked on various legislative initiatives to strengthen educational opportunities and resources. Her continued and much-appreciated efforts include supporting key priority areas like student mental health, school safety, and educator recruitment and retention.

On behalf of MAISA and its members, thank you and congratulations, Representative Regina Weiss!

Here's a September 2024 update about MAISA's partnership with the Michigan Learning Channel (MLC) that helps to bring the Literacy Essentials to life through the literacy broadcast series Read, Write, ROAR!

Here are a few highlights:

1. Read, Write, ROAR! Upper Elementary has officially launched and is ready to use. 

2. Opportunity for Grades 5-12 Educators: Iconic Michigan Teacher Fellowship Cohort 2. Applications are due by October 11, and an informational webinar will be held on October

3. Practical ways to utilize K to 3 Lesson Plan Guides (e.g., revising, editing, and peer feedback in writing)

Click here to read the full update via Smore!

It's time to register for MAISA's Fall Meetings!

What: 2024 MAISA Fall Meetings

When:

• Thursday, November 7, from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm w/ reception/dinner
• Friday, November 8, from 8:00 am to noon

Where: The Graduate Hotel: 133 Evergreen Avenue, East Lansing, MI 48823

To register for the MAISA Fall Meetings, click here. Please register by November 1.

Hotel: The Graduate Hotel

If you would like to book your room, please click here. Registration closes on November 7.

*Note: the reservation link is defaulted to 2 nights, November 6 – November 8, 2024. You may adjust this for one night only if needed. 

**The MAISA Board & Administrative Committee will be held on the morning of November 7, and the General Membership meeting will begin at 1:00 pm that same day.

MAISA's website has recently gone through a refresh!

The site has been updated to provide a refreshed interface that facilitates connecting educators and leaders with the collaborative work of MAISA.

Please take a few minutes to explore the updated site here.

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