LegalEase April 2026 | Digital Accessibility Compliance Obligations for Public School Districts Under the ADA’s New Title II Rule
In light of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) issuance of its final rule on web and mobile accessibility—effective June 24, 2024—public school districts, as state and local governmental entities, are now subject to comprehensive and legally enforceable technical standards governing their digital content. The rule, promulgated under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), adopts the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (“WCAG”) 2.1 Level AA as the operative accessibility benchmark…
Innovation in Action: How Clarkston Junior High School’s Project-Based Learning (PBL) Model Empowers Student Voice and Real-World Learning
Across Michigan, schools are exploring innovative ways to engage students and prepare them for an ever-changing world. At Clarkston Junior High School (CJHS), one approach has stood the test of time. For nearly a decade, CJHS has implemented Project-Based Learning (PBL) as a core instructional model—one that prioritizes student voice, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world skill development. Under the leadership of Principal John Bennink, CJHS has built a structure that redefines what learning…
Feeding Michigan Students Through the Summer
How SUN Bucks Supports Families For many Michigan families, school meals play an important role in helping children access consistent nutrition during the school year. When school breaks begin, however, that support can become harder to maintain. Michigan’s Summer EBT program (SUN Bucks) helps families purchase groceries for their school-aged children during the summer months. School administrators and advisors can help ensure families know about this resource and where to learn more. What…
Principal’s Checklist Companion | Build Better Hiring Performance Tasks With AI
My name is William Grube. I’ll be speaking at EdCon this summer on practical AI use for principals. Below is a practical AI use you can use as you dive into the “Interviewing/Hiring Staff” section of your MASSP April Principal’s Checklist. When preparing for interviews, building highly effective and unique performance tasks from scratch takes too much time. This leads to the same tasks being reused every year. Use AI to build…
April 2026 QUICK TIPS | Spring to It
Many schools are kicking off April with spring break – let it be a reminder that you need to take care of yourself in order to lead your school through the final quarter of the academic year. Whether you're traveling or experiencing a staycation, please find time to rest and find joy each day. Check out these tips from your Board to help you when you return to school. Nicole Carter, Principal,…
Rethinking What’s Possible: An Invitation to Middle Level Leaders
What if the next breakthrough in your school is already sitting in your building … just waiting for the right space, the right support, and the right conversation? Across Michigan, middle schools are navigating a familiar set of challenges: student engagement that ebbs and flows, staff who are stretched thin, schedules that never seem to allow enough time for meaningful collaboration, and a constant push to meet the evolving needs of young…
10 Things Michigan Principals Should Know Before the First Administration of the WIN Work Readiness Assessment
This spring marks the first statewide administration of the WIN Work Readiness Assessments as part of the Michigan Merit Exam (MME). The new assessment replaces ACT WorkKeys and will be administered to Michigan 11th grade students between April 6 and May 1. Over the past several months MASSP has shared information about the structure and policy context surrounding the transition to WIN. As the testing window approaches, school leaders are now turning…
MDHHS Tobacco Youth Focus Groups: Please Share with Students
The MDHHS Tobacco Control Program is partnering with the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI) to conduct virtual focus groups with high school youth about their insights related to youth use of commercial tobacco and nicotine products. The focus group will consist of up to a 90-minute Zoom call with an MPHI facilitator and note-taker. Participants will receive a $50 Visa gift card as compensation. Focus group results will help answer key questions to improve Michigan’s commercial tobacco prevention and…
Administrator Mentor Coaching Requirements and Available Grant Support
Michigan now requires districts to provide mentor support for all school administrators, excluding superintendents, within their first three years in a new position. With dedicated grant funding from MDE becoming available soon, districts have an opportunity to align compliance with meaningful leadership development. MASSP’s Strengthening Leaders Program is ready to partner with you to provide mentor-coaches and support building confident, capable leaders. As districts and school leaders begin planning for the 2026–27…
NOT® Facilitator Training Scholarships Available for Michigan Schools
The Tobacco Section is offering full scholarships for Not on Tobacco (NOT®) facilitators' training. NOT® is an interactive K-12 school-centered tobacco/vaping education and tobacco dependence treatment/cessation program that gives students the help they need to break their dependence on nicotine. Applicants must complete INDEPTH training prior to taking Not on Tobacco, both training modules roughly take about 7-10 hours. Rolling scholarships will be available up to September 28, 2026, based on funding…