Annual Certification Reminder: Are You and Your Team Ready for 2026?
As we move further into the 2025-26 school year, it is time for Michigan school leaders to turn their attention toward the annual review of staff credentials. Ensuring that every educator and administrator is properly credentialed is not just a regulatory necessity—it is a cornerstone of maintaining a high-quality learning environment for our students. Check Your Deadlines For many educators, the expiration date of June 30, 2026, is fast approaching. We encourage…
QUICK TIPS | Senior Activities & Commencement 2026
Senior activities such as prom, awards night, and commencement are yearly reminders of why we all get into the business of education. If not executed correctly, they can also quickly become a scene from one of our worst administrative nightmares! Below, you will find an assortment of “quick tips” and “think abouts” from a pair of MASSP veteran administrators, to help guide you through some of the most significant activities your building…
Stay Ahead with the Michigan AI Statewide Workgroup
Artificial intelligence continues to move quickly, and school leaders are being asked more and more often to guide conversations, set expectations, and support staff and families as new tools emerge. One easy way to stay informed is by connecting with the Michigan AI Statewide Workgroup and subscribing to their monthly resource newsletter. The workgroup, supported by Michigan Virtual and partners across the state, curates practical tools and guidance for educators, families, and…
Leadership in Motion | Stop Chasing the Snake
Healing, Not Hunting, Is How Leaders Protect Culture There is a story I return to whenever frustration starts to rise. A man is walking through the woods when a snake bites him. The bite hurts, but it is not fatal. If he walks back to the village for treatment, he will recover. Instead, anger takes over. He chases the snake down the path, determined to make it pay. Before long, the venom…
LegalEase February 2026 | Compliance Requirements Under Section 164k of the State School Aid Act
On October 7, 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the State School Aid Act (Public Act 15 of 2025) for the 2026 fiscal year, which includes Section 164k (MCL 388.1764k). On December 11, 2025, the Michigan Department of Education ("MDE”) released a memorandum providing additional clarification. Section 164k introduces several compliance obligations for school districts and intermediate school districts (“ISDs”) with significant consequences for failing to comply. If a violation is reported and confirmed by…
Legislature Passes New Law on Student Wireless Devices: What Principals Need to Know and How to Use It Well
HB 4141 and SB 495 have passed the Michigan Legislature and are awaiting Governor Whitmer's signature. Because she is expected to sign them, Michigan schools will begin the 2026–27 school year under a new law that requires local school boards to adopt policies restricting the use of wireless communications devices during instructional time and tweak their emergency operations plans to account for wireless devices. MASSP supported this legislation because it provides principals…
Supporting Student Mental Health Through High‑Quality Instructional Resources
Where students feel seen and teachers feel supported Written by MASSP Partner in Education, Cengage Across Michigan schools, student mental health continues to be one of the most pressing concerns for principals. Mental health challenges among youth are rising, “according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to one in six children ages 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year, but only 20% receive care…
Membership Matters | Support When It Matters Most
Every membership concierge session I’ve had reminds me of one simple truth: leadership is more rewarding when you’re connected and supported. Whether you’re stepping into a new role, looking for meaningful support for your school context, or thinking ahead to grow future leaders, MASSP has programs designed to meet you where you are. Below are a few real-world scenarios I’ve heard recently, plus resources and events tied to each. Scenario 1: The…
Don’t Get Penalized: New Survey Disclosure Rules Under the State School Aid Act
To avoid state aid penalties under a new section of Michigan law, school administrators must publicly share student survey questions and results, post them on the website, and notify parents/guardians of a survey, all while ensuring that posted survey results comply with student privacy laws. State School Aid Act Section 164k(d) Effective October 7, 2025, State School Aid Act (“SSAA”) section 164k(d), MCL 388.1764k(d), requires schools to: make student survey questions and…
A Restorative Framework to Address E-cigarette Use Within K-12 Students
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) Tobacco Section observes and recognizes the challenges that can arise when addressing youth vaping within K-12 schools. To address this significant public health concern, MDHHS utilizes data from various sources, including the Michigan Youth Tobacco Survey (MYTS), to assist schools and communities with sustainable strategies to assist in building restorative care. According to the MYTS, e-cigarettes are the common tobacco nicotine delivery system…