This Week in Politics in 5 Sentences (or Fewer)
The Legislature returned to Lansing this week after an extended Thanksgiving and hunting season recess and the House Education and Workforce Development Committee wasted no time in kicking off the week's action with a hearing and vote Wednesday morning on HB 4836 and SB 349, a pair of bills that would create an opt-out process for the state's work skills assessment (formerly the ACT WorkKeys and now the WIN Work Readiness Assessment)…
REGIONAL CONNECT CONFERENCES — REGISTRATION FILLING FAST!
As January approaches, seats are filling quickly for this year’s Regional Connect Conferences. These events jumpstart the student leadership season with meaningful, student-driven programming that strengthens school climate and culture. The momentum continues at the statewide 2026 Student Leadership Conference, Mission: Possible, in February where students from across Michigan gather to elevate their voices and expand their leadership capacity. Why Your Students and Advisors Should Attend? 1. Student Voice Strengthens School ClimateWhen…
Connected in Purpose, United in Practice
Our theme for the year is “Connected in Purpose, United in Practice.” At Jenison High School, this motto is purposeful and driven by initiatives that are student and staff-centered. We know that when adults learn together, our students do better. So professional learning communities have taken root and are thriving at JHS. Every student is connected to an adult through meaningful connections and evaluated by relationship mapping, and student voice is elevated…
Understanding Parents’ Rights and District Obligations Under FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides students 18 or older or emancipated (“eligible students”) and their parents three primary rights: (1) the right to inspect and review education records, (2) the right to seek amendment of education records, and (3) the right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information in education records. FERPA defines “education records” as records which contain information directly related to a student and are…
QUICK TIPS DECEMBER | It’s the Season to Celebrate
From celebrations to reflection, December is a great time to take time for yourself and for others. Remembering why you do this in the middle of a whirlwind of a month can keep you (and your staff) centered during this busy month. It’s almost time to start planning for next year, but remember to enjoy this season with your students and staff! Jessica Garber, Escanaba Jr./Sr. High School Make time to celebrate the…
Understanding Michigan’s Rules on Emergency Seclusion and Restraint
Michigan schools have seen a notable increase in parental complaints and disputes regarding the emergency use of seclusion and restraint in recent years. For the 2025–26 school year, administrators report that these issues are becoming overwhelming. It is critical for secondary school leaders to refresh their understanding of the law and best practices to avoid significant legal liability. Under the Michigan Revised School Code, sections 1307 to 1307h (MCL 380.1307–380.1307h), the legislature’s…
Michigan Transitions to WIN Work Readiness Assessment for 11th Graders
The Michigan Merit Exam is administered each spring, and consists of three components: College Board SAT® with Essay Reading & Writing and Math Employability Skills Assessment M-STEP Science and Social Studies Michigan is entering a new phase in career readiness testing. As part of the state’s legislative requirement to assess employability skills, the ACT WorkKeys exam is being replaced by the WIN Work Readiness Assessment beginning this spring. At the most recent…
Leadership in Motion | Roots Before Branches: Building What People Cannot See
Navigating Change, Shaping Culture and Driving Impact Some leaders focus on what everyone can see. They chase immediate results, quick wins and public-facing success. But meaningful, sustainable impact in a school does not begin with the branches. It begins with the roots. Just like a tree, the strength of your leadership is determined by what lies beneath the surface. The public often pays attention to the visible branches of school leadership: test…
Save Time, Engage More: Using Notebook.LM for PD, Students, and Families
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by unread professional articles or wished families actually read your weekly newsletter, Google’s Notebook.LM might be the tool that changes everything. Notebook.LM is an AI tool designed to learn from the sources you upload — whether those sources are articles, PDFs, Google Drive documents, YouTube videos or copied text. From there, it creates podcasts, summaries, mind maps, quizzes, flashcards and more. Each Notebook can hold up to…
Budget Update: Three Problematic Line Items and Where Things Stand
As districts across the state continue the work of adjusting practice mid-year to meet the requirements of this year’s School Aid budget, we know that principals are still facing real uncertainty around several line items. In particular, three provisions seem to be generating the most confusion or concern at the building level: Section 31aa (mental health and safety funding), Section 21f (virtual instruction), and Section 164k (student surveys and compliance penalties). MASSP…