In this week’s MDE Thursday memo and Spotlight on Student Assessment and Accountability newsletter the following items may be of particular interest to Secondary School Principals:

MEMO #135-19 The Public comment period is open Nov.14 to Jan.14 draft 2020-2024 Michigan’s Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) Plan.  This is your opportunity to submit any concerns you may have regarding the plan. 

MEMO #137-19 Hour of Code/Computer Science Education week is encouraging schools to participate in an Hour of Code activity following the theme, “CS for Good”.  The Hour of Code website provides your school with the opportunity to register to participate.

MEMO #138-19 Would you like have only your 11th grade students on campus during SAT testing and still count it as an instructional day?  New legislation that allows districts to count DPPD as instructional time provide you with the flexibility you need.  Be sure to follow the requirements to claim this time- it does require an advisory committee inclusive of teachers and that the PD is aligned to the SIP and linked to criteria in the evaluation tool.  Important to note that the PD can be online and that the District must apply & qualify for SCECHs.

In the Nov.14 edition of Spotlight on Assessment pg.2-3 include information on Updated Assessment Security Training Requirements for District/Building Assessment Coordinators.  Coordinators are required to complete the MDE four-module series Assessment Security online course through Michigan Virtual.  The 2019-20 updated modules will be available in January 2020.

 

MEMO #135-19

Public Comment Period for the Draft 2020–2024 Michigan’s Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) Plan

The public comment period for the draft 2020-2024 Michigan’s Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) Plan will be Thursday, November 14, 2019, through Saturday, December 14, 2019. Comments on specific performance measures and levels may be submitted until Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

 

MEMO #137-19

Hour of Code – An Easy Way to Introduce Students to Computer Science

Michigan schools are encouraged to participate in the Hour of Code/Computer Science Education Week, December 9-15, 2019. The Hour of Code, www.hourofcode.comhighlights how all students can use computer science to make a positive impact on the world, from writing apps to solving a local problem to using innovative ideas in data science to address global challenges. The theme for this year’s Hour of Code is “CS for Good,” inspired by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

MEMO #138-19 

New Legislation Allowing District-Provided Professional Development (DPPD) Reported as Instructional Time

Effective October 1, 2019, Section 101(10) of the State School Aid Act,

MCL 388.1701(10), adopted by the state legislature, was amended to include new provisions. According to the new law, a district may count up to 38 hours of qualifying professional development time for teachers as hours of pupil instruction, if all of the following requirements are satisfied.