The recent school shooting in Florida has caused every school in the nation to give pause, reflect, and revisit a host of issues related to school violence, including:
Health/Phys Ed Clarification, M-STEP Science Sample Items
The MDE put out a memo this week providing clarification on the requirements for health and physical education for students K-12. Additionally, the MDE's Spotlight on Student Assessment and Accountability publication highlighted the availability of the Spring 2018 M-STEP Science sample item set. The memo and the article from Spotlight are reproduced in their entirety below.
MDE Memo #031-18: Health and Physical Education Guidance
#MASSPchat - Marshall Plan for Talent
The Topic:
On Thursday, February 22nd Governor Rick Snyder along with Lt. Governor Brian Calley and Roger Curtis, the Director of the Department of Talent and Economic Development, unveiled their plans for addressing the industry talent gap in Michigan. This plan has many direct implications for schools K-12 as there is a heavy emphasis on raising career awareness, increasing course offerings and programming at high schools that will directly funnel into the work force, moving toward a competency based model and teaching life long accumulated skills that will allow adaptation to a changing career picture (just to name a few!).
Governor Unveils Marshall Plan for Talent
The Marshall Plan for Talent: big statewide headlines, $100 million in proposed spending, state officials talking about a "revolution" in education and Governor Snyder saying "It’s not your dad’s job anymore, so why is it your grandfather’s school?"
The Governor rolled out his Marshall Plan for Talent in Detroit on Thursday flanked by (among others) Lieutenant Governor Calley and legislative leadership from both the House and Senate. This is the latest in an ongoing series of initiatives out of Lansing focused on making changes to Michigan's education system with an eye toward the needs of employers and the workforce.
So what is the Marshall Plan for Talent?
PSAT/SAT Student Score Reports
Continuing the series of highlighting activities and resources that take place in MASSP’s recently updated Data Analysis Protocol 2.0 Workshop, participants will have the opportunity to review a paper student score report and learn how students can maximize the College Board reporting portal and the online tools to determine their percentile rankings, review questions and answers, improve their scores, find their AP Potential, and send scores to post-secondary institutions.
This Week in Politics in 5 Sentences (or Fewer)
Difficult Conversations: Not Always Comfortable, However Necessary
In the world of education, much like the world around us, there are always times when we are presented with difficult situations that require courageous conversations. We have the choice to avoid them, face them and handle them with frustration and judgment, or handle them well. Acting with intention is a key to developing shared understanding, mutual safety, and space for collaborative dialogue. These conversations can be difficult, however are necessary for the betterment of relationships.
Member Spotlight: Neil DeLuca
We want to share good news about education! MASSP is turning the spotlight on members who are making an impact in their school, district and community. Spotlighted members exemplify the mission of the MASSP: To advance learning through educational leadership.
Neil DeLuca, High School Principal, Rochester High School
How long have you worked in education?
15 years
How long have you been an administrator?
3 years
Grow with Google Coming to Lansing
On March 9 and 10, Grow with Google will be providing educators and others free training, demos, coaching with Google employees, and the opportunity to talk with Google's incredible local partner organizations. The sessions will be held at the Gannon Building on the campus of Lansing Community College in downtown Lansing (see the flyers linked at the bottom of this article for more information).
MDE Testing and Certification Updates
Last week, MDE issued a pair of memos (see MASSp's earlier article) regarding certification requirements for school counselors and library media staff that caused several schools statewide to temporarily shutter their school libraries due to concerns about losing state aid dollars.