Today, the state released the MI Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery, guidance developed by the Student Recovery Advisory Council to help districts and schools create recovery plans that provide every Michigan student with the resources they need to thrive post-pandemic. The Blueprint was developed to address the needs of the whole child and is designed to support school leaders as they design comprehensive recovery plans and decide how best to utilize state and federal recovery funds to support student recovery over the next several years. The report includes a number of recommendations in each of the following areas:
- Wellness
- Academics
- School culture and climate
- Family and community engagement
- Postsecondary education
With so many potential areas for action, the report doesn't seek to dictate a single recovery strategy, but provide several research-based options that districts can use as part of their individual plans based on those areas of focus that fit best. As a condition for receiving federal pandemic relief funding, districts are already required to create a spending plan. The Blueprint will also provide districts with many of the required plan elements for those plans.
For more information on the report, join MASSP, MASA and other education associations for a webinar next Thursday, May 27 at 10 a.m. on Operationalizing the MI Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery. Click here to register.
Finally, in addition to recommendations for schools, the report also includes recommendations for state policy makers to support schools in implementing their recovery plans. The report includes five high-level recommendations:
- Proving schools with adequate, equitable funding in the form of a weighted foundation allowance sufficient to support not only direct instructional staff but also support staff (social workers, school counselors, interventionists, etc.).
- Provide schools with consistent funding by adopting a pupil accounting model which allows for seat-time flexibility and counts the highest enrollment of the past three years to compensate for the challenges of declining enrollment.
- Adopt a statewide strategy to attract and retain educators, with intentional focus on educators of color.
- Create the conditions for innovation by expanding Innovation Zones and providing things like waivers from accountability measures that restrict innovative practices.
- Expand access to high-quality preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds in the state regardless of income level.
MASSP wants to thank Student Recovery Advisory Council member JoLynn Clark, Principal at Frankenmuth High School and Region 4 Representative on the MASSP Board of Directors for her service on the Student Recovery Advisory Council. We would also like to thank Darci Stenfors, Principal at Escanaba High School and Region 1 Representative on the MASSP Board of Directors, who also supported the Council's work.
Principals can read the full report by visiting michigan.gov/studentrecovery.