Statewide Assessment Results and Five Questions for Principals
Spring 2026 state assessment results are now public, bringing renewed attention to school performance and the inevitable comparisons and questions that follow. For principals, the numbers themselves aren't new. Schools received their results earlier, and many leadership teams have already begun examining what they show. What changed with Friday's score release is the audience. Parents, board members, community members and reporters can now see the results, compare schools and begin forming their…
Whatever This School Year Brings, MASSP Is With You
Anyone who has worked in school leadership knows that even the best plans cannot prepare you for everything. I've sat in the principal’s chair, and I know there are days when you need a resource, days when you need another perspective and days when you just need someone who understands. Whatever the school year brings, MASSP is here for you! You cannot predict when a parent concern will escalate, when you will…
3 Steps to Meet New ADA Digital Accessibility Requirements
Since coming out of the pandemic and remote learning, schools have steadily moved more of their information, resources and learning materials online. What once might have lived in a printed handbook, classroom folder or paper form now moves through websites, learning management systems, parent portals, shared documents, videos and social media. New federal accessibility requirements mean districts will soon need to ensure much of that digital content is accessible to people with…
Plans Move Schools. People Move Communities.
There are probably not many principal preparation programs that include a course on how to move an entire school. Yet this summer, that became part of the job description for my colleagues, Dr. Tim Moore and Lisa O’Connor. For the better part of last year, our district had been preparing for a significant transition. Our ninth graders would return to Howell High School, bringing all four grade levels under one roof for…
Beyond the Launch: When Activity Becomes Impact
The beginning of a school year offers no shortage of reasons to celebrate. The buses arrive on time. Class schedules come together. Staff members return energized from professional learning. A new initiative launches with enthusiasm. Hallways feel orderly. Families express appreciation. The first few weeks unfold with a reassuring sense that the hard work of planning has paid off. Those moments matter. They deserve to be recognized. They are also easy to…
Watch for Michigan School Census Invitation Beginning Sept. 15
Beginning Sept. 15, every Michigan public school will receive an individualized link to participate in the 2026 Michigan School Census, a statewide literacy and school library study led by Wayne State University and funded by the Michigan Legislature. Participation from every type of school matters – whether your building has a fully staffed library, limited or shared services, or no dedicated library staff. The census is intended to create a clearer picture…
Administrative Assistant 2026 QUICK TIPS | It Takes a Team
The relationship between a principal and administrative assistant is one of the most important partnerships in a school. Effective communication, clear systems, proactive planning, and mutual trust allow school leaders to focus on supporting students, staff, and families while ensuring the day-to-day operations of the building run smoothly. The following Quick Tips were developed by practicing school leaders and are designed to provide practical strategies that strengthen collaboration, improve efficiency, and help…
First 90 Days 2026 QUICK TIPS | Be There, Build Relationships & Be Informed
Whether you’re a new administrator, new to a building or want to remind yourself of what’s key to kick off the year, be sure to check out the First 90 Days Checklist to set yourself on the right track. As always, being there for staff and students is the first step to building and maintaining relationships. Learning what you can from meetings and data to prepare for the year ahead will help…
TL;DR: Politics Briefly
This week we lost the incomparable Dolly Parton, legendary Tim Curry, iconic voice actor Peter Cullen—Optimus Prime, Predator, and Eeyore among others—and the ability to remember the Great Lakes with the acronym HOMES. It's a shame. In state political news, the House Education Committee met Wednesday and advanced HB 5919 (Rep. Paquette) on a party-line vote. MASSP joined MASA, Oakland Schools and others in opposition. The bill is being framed as promoting…
The Right People, at the Right Time
By the time you read this, some of you are already into the new year — hallways full, buses rolling, the first fire drill behind you. Others are holding onto the last quiet mornings before it all begins. Wherever you land on the calendar, the feeling is the same: A fresh start is here, and with it that familiar mix of energy and weight. I felt both in front of many of…