HeadlinesA News Report for Michigan Education Leaders

Aug. 5, 2014

Kathy Hayes to Retire in 2015 After More Than 16 Years at MASBAfter more than 16 years at MASB

and the last five as executive director, Kathy Hayes will retire next summer to pursue other interests. She also served as the Director of the Leadership Develop-ment department and was responsible for designing and managing the professional development programs for board mem-bers including conferences, CBA classes, board training and distance learning.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my work with MASB and getting to know board members throughout my career,” Hayes said. “Their passion and commitment to public education has been inspirational in guiding our work on their behalf.”

Kathy’s background is unique at MASB in that she has the multiple perspectives of a classroom teacher, a group therapist, a consultant and was a board member with the Williamston Board of Education for over 15 years. She has been trained extensively in group dynamics and conflict resolution techniques. Kathy’s background assists her in organizational development, strategic planning, and

designing and developing programs. Her leadership and expertise has helped to transform MASB’s culture, programs and services into an agile and highly relevant association.

“Kathy is one of the finest people that I have had the opportunity to know,” said Donald Hubler, MASB President.

“She has earned the respect of all who have had the opportunity to work with her. When she speaks, people listen.

“Kathy has built the foundation and nurtured the growth of the strongest staff in the service of Association members and students in the state of Michigan. Her continuing influence will challenge all of us to meet the ever-changing demands of the highest obligation of our community, to help our children reach beyond any limitations. We thank her for her service and wish her well in future endeavors.”

Kathy received her Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University in special education and her Masters of Arts degree at Michigan State University in therapeutic recreation. Her husband, Bob, is a forensic geologist. They live in Williamston and have three sons, Bobby, David and Jonathan.

Kathy will continue as executive director until August 2015.

inside this issue:Michigan Merit Curriculum Changes Signed Into Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

MASB Annual Leadership Conference Speaker Lineup Taking Shape . . . . . . . . 4

Education for the School Board Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

New Officers Take the Helm at MASB . . . . 7

MASB Launches Superintendent Outreach Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Vote “Yes” Today

on Proposal 1

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • Aug. 5, 20142

2014

415 W. Kalamazoo Street Lansing, MI 48933 | 1-800-292-5421 | www.setseg.org

Allen Park Public Schools

Big Rapids Public Schools

Boyne Falls Public Schools

Buchanan Community Schools

Cheboygan Area Schools

Chippewa Valley Schools

DeWitt Public Schools

East Detroit Public Schools

Eaton Rapids Public Schools

Fraser Public Schools

Gerrish-Higgins School District

Grand Ledge Public Schools

Greenville Public Schools

Grosse Pointe Public Schools

Holly Area Schools

Howell Public Schools

Imlay City Community Schools

Ithaca Public Schools

Lake Orion Community Schools

L’Anse Creuse Public Schools

Livonia Public Schools

Millington Community Schools

North Huron Schools

Ovid-Elsie Area Schools

Owosso Public Schools

Oxford Community schools

Pinckney Community Schools

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools

Riverview Community Schools

Rochester Community Schools

Southfield Public Schools

Springport Public Schools

Standish-Sterling Community Schools

Troy School District

Warren Consolidated Schools

Waterford School District

Wayne-Westland Community Schools

West Bloomfield School District

Whiteford Agricultural Schools

Wolverine Community Schools

Wyandotte Public Schools

Yale Public Schools

Students from the following districts were

selected to receive a SET SEG Foundation

scholarship to the Michigan Associations

of Student Councils and Honor Societies

Michigan Student Leadership Summer

Camp at Albion College.

CONGRATULATIONSSCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Michigan Merit Curriculum Changes Signed Into LawHouse Bills 4465 and 4466 were

signed into law as Public Acts 208 and 209 of 2014. Although they will not help students this fall, they will start helping some next year at the start of second semester and be fully imple-mented for the fall of 2015. Gov. Rick Snyder has touted the importance of expanding career and technical educa-tion, and many of the changes made by the bills are focused around that issue. The passage of these bills meets one of MASB’s legislative priorities set by the Board of Directors at the beginning of this legislative session.

The bills add additional flexibility in the Personal Curriculum available to all students and significant flexibility for those enrolled in certain career tech classes or programs. In particular, CTE students will see greater flexibility in math, science, social sciences and foreign language requirements.

Schools will see additional standards for how PC requests are handled and how parents are notified of the existence of the PC option.

Following is a summary of the major changes to the current law:

Core MMC Changes • Students would be able to fulfill

their Algebra II requirement by taking a CTE course or courses that cover at least the portion of Algebra II benchmarks that are assessed on the Michigan Merit Exam.

• Students would be able to fulfill their foreign language requirement with two credits of grade-appropriate language instruction any time during grades K-12. For students graduating in the classes of 2015-

2020 only, they would also be allowed to substitute a CTE course, or an additional visual or performing arts course for one of the two required foreign language credits.

• In addition to chemistry or physics, students would be able to fulfill their second science credit by taking anatomy, agricultural science or a course that provides at least the portion of either of the chemistry or physics benchmarks that are assessed on the MME. Students would also be able to substitute a CTE course for their third credit of science.

• The flexibility to count extracurricular activities for one half credit of physical education, which districts already had under a different section of statute, is now expressly spelled out in the MMC law.

Personal Curriculum Changes • Schools would be required to write

a PC for a student if requested by the student’s parent. The school superintendent, or his or her designee, would still have the right to reject the PC once written.

• Simplifications were made to the PC process—only one school representative would now have to be involved (teacher, counselor or another designee) instead of the teacher and counselor that are required now, and there is no longer

a requirement for an in-person meeting to develop the PC or for quarterly progress meetings.

• Under a PC, students/schools may substitute technical math for Algebra II or may take a class that covers at least the state-tested content of Algebra II. Students may also substitute CTE courses for up to one credit of social studies; one credit of health and physical education; and one credit of visual, performing or applied arts.

• The law would now expressly state that no limitation may be put on the number of PCs a school is allowed to have.

• Schools must notify parents and students annually that they are entitled to pursue a PC. This may be done in the school newsletter, handbook or similar communication sent to the pupil’s home. Also, students must be informed of the option to take CTE during their education development plan development process.

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • Aug. 5, 20143

Legislative Update

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • Aug. 5, 20144

MASB Annual Leadership Conference Speaker Lineup Taking ShapeAs planning for the 2014 Annual

Leadership Conference continues, the featured speaker line-up has been finalized to include several remarkable national speakers who will be sharing perspectives on current topics at the forefront of public education.

David Berliner, M.S., Ph.D.—50 Myths and Lies That Threaten America’s Public SchoolsWashington Post — recognized author David C. Berliner will share information

from his newest book, “50 Myths and Lies That Threaten America’s Public Schools.” The authors argue that many citizens’ conception of K-12 public education in the United States is more myth than reality. The text looks at international tests, teachers, curriculum, school funding, private and charter schools, and more. In addition to this book published in March 2014, Berliner has authored more than 200 published articles, chapters and books.

Berliner is the Regents’ Professor of Education Emeritus at Arizona State University. He has also taught at the Universities of Arizona and Massachusetts, at Teachers College and Stanford University, and at universities in Canada, Australia, The Netherlands, Denmark, Spain and Switzerland. He is a member of the National Academy of Education, the International Academy of Education, and a past president of both the American Educational Research Association and the Division of Educational Psychology of the American Psychological Association.

Anne Byrne—Leading Children of ExcellenceServing as the current president of the National School Boards Association, Anne Byrne’s presentation will share

what is happening in public schools around the country, as well as at the NSBA. In addition to her national role, she is a long-time member of the school board of Nanuet Union Free School District

in New York. She has also served on the Mid-Hudson School Study Council, New York State School Boards Association and Rockland County School Boards Association. Byrne is a Eucharistic minister, and has been a parish council officer and taught religion for 41 years.

Cile Chavez, M.Ed., Ed.D.—The Power and Promise of Modeling Transformational LeadershipInternational speaker Cile Chavez provides motivation

and expertise to organizations in the private and public sectors on modeling transformational leadership. Her passion is to guide others in realizing their skills, talents, and potential in both their personal and professional lives. She emphasizes the power of modeling integrity, effective human relations, intelligent behavior and enthusiasm.

Her unique mixture of humor, storytelling, ideas and metaphors has helped make her one of the most sought after speakers on contemporary leadership issues and possibilities. Prior to her consulting work she served as the superintendent for Littleton Public School in Colorado, the director of the Colorado State Committee North Central Association and assistant dean of the College of Education at the University of Northern Colorado.

Ron Crouch, M.A., M.S.S.W., M.B.A.—Demographic, Educational, Workforce and Economic Trends Impacting EducationRon Crouch will address

demographic, educational, workforce and economic trends in Michigan, as well as world and national trends impacting education.

His background is in analyzing data and developing information in ways that enhance understanding and utilization. He currently serves as Director of Research and Statistics for the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet overseeing the development of databases on demographic, social, educational, workforce, and economic issues and trends.

Anthony Muhammad, Ph.D.—Creating and Sustaining Student-Centered Learning EnvironmentsLike in a healthy culture, toxic cultures start with a belief system, and that belief system grows and metastasizes

into being institutionalized through policies, practices and procedures. This presentation will share what makes up a healthy school culture and how you can get there.

Anthony Muhammad is one of the most sought after educational consultants in North America. As a practitioner of nearly 20 years, he has served as a middle school teacher, assistant principal, middle school principal and high school principal. His most notable accomplishment

Speakers continued on Page 7

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • Aug. 5, 2014

Win Free Admission to MASB’s 2014 Annual Leadership ConferenceWant to score Free admission to this year’s Annual Leadership Conference in Grand rapids?

How about bringing a fellow board member or

your superintendent?

enter MASB’s new video contest, “Why I’m a Board Member” to win!

All submissions are due Friday, Aug. 29, 2014

It’s simple. Just create a video lasting no more than 30 seconds about why you’re a board member. Use your smartphone to film it. Then submit it to us through our Facebook page, emailing webmaster@masb.org or tweeting us @MASB using the hashtags #WhyImABoardMember and #MASBAnnual2014.

MASB staff will select the top entries and then the public will vote on the winner through a bracket-style tournament on social media.

Don’t have a smartphone? Have a friend or relative record your video for you. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure free admission to this year’s Annual Leadership Conference—not to mention bragging rights over fellow board members and colleagues.

Rules• Must be 30 seconds or less• Videos due by Aug. 29, 2014• Online voting begins in September• Winner announced in early October• All submissions become property of

MASB• No purchase or donation necessary to

enter

Why I’m A Board Member Contest

Don’t waste another second. We’ll see you in Grand rapids, Nov. 6 – 9!

5

You Can Still Register for This Weekend’s Summer School for School Leaders

When: Aug. 8 – 9 Where: Boyne Highlands What: A weekend featuring CBA classes, “Go to Pros” Summit for Administrative Professionals, Board President Workshop, Advanced Workshop for Board Presidents and family fun!

Register today at www.masb.org/summerschool!www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • Aug. 5, 2014

6

Education for the School Board MemberBy Tod J. Sorensen, M.P.A., Kearsley Community Schools Board Member

Since we were children in grade school, our teachers impressed

upon each of us the need to not only obtain a basic education, but the idea that learning should be a lifelong en-deavor. In the past decade, Americans have demonstrated their commitment to advanced education as, “30.4 percent of Americans over the age of 25 have obtained a bachelor’s degree, and 10.9 percent of Americans hold a graduate degree” (New York Times, 2012).

The teachers we employ within our school districts are required to continually advance their education in order to maintain skill levels that are equal to a changing world, and then transfer their knowledge to our children so they will hopefully become a constructive member of our society and our future leaders. The question we must pose to ourselves is—why are we content with our elected school board members often receiving no training at all on their duties and responsibilities?

As a former public administrator with over 25 years experience in my career field, I was often challenged professionally by having to educate the locally elected officials on topics that took me years to master. The everyday people who worked as small business owners, blue-collar workers and some professionals with college degrees believed that by virtue of their life experiences and by being elected

by the local citizens, that they now had the ability to administer a governmental body. Unfortunately, the fact that these elected officials lacked the essential knowledge that I learned over many years, required me to expend a great deal of my time teaching them. This was an inefficient way to carry out governmental operations then and remains so now.

As elected school board members are we taking the same approach? Even though board members may have a great deal of experience in their respective career fields, do they possess the skills and knowledge to be effectively overseeing a career educator, our school superintendent, who is charged with the responsibility of administrating the day-to-day operations of our school districts? My answer to this question is a resounding “no.” School board members today have a tremendous resource at their disposal to bring them to a level of competency that our districts, and most important of all, our children deserve; this being the MASB training courses. MASB courses can take the school board member on a continual training journey that will transform them from a new board member (like I was in 2012) to a seasoned one (as I hope to be someday).

Let me offer a short story on how one of my first MASB classes helped me navigate a recent situation. I was attending a wedding of a graduate of

my district and had the opportunity to converse with a current teacher within the district. Knowing that I was a board member, the teacher made a comment during our conversation that “she worked for me.” I quickly responded, “No, you don’t work for me; you work for the principal of your school, who works for the superintendent, who works under the direction of the Board of Education.” I learned this simple lesson early in my MASB training.

As school board members we are often required to make decisions affecting our students on the first day we take office, and we do so with little or no prior experience in the education field. It is the responsibility of all elected officials to utilize the opportunities available to them to obtain the essential skills to fulfill our responsibilities to the districts we serve. MASB gives the school board member the tools to succeed. I’ve started my training. Have you?

Sorensen attended the February 2014 CBA Weekend where sessions like the one above took place, and will be at this weekend’s 2014 Summer School for School

Leaders.

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • Aug. 5, 20147

New Officers Take the Helm at MASBThe MASB Board of Directors has elect-

ed officers to lead the Association’s governing body for the 2014-2015 year.

Taking the reins as president is Donald Hubler, L’Anse Creuse Public Schools and Macomb ISD; president-elect is Cindy Gansen, Genesee ISD; serving as vice president is Brenda Carter, Pontiac School District; and stepping into the role of past president is Ruth Coppens, Saginaw ISD.

The board, made up of 19 members representing regions and groups throughout the state, is charged with setting and implementing MASB policies.

Directors are elected by MASB membership and officers are elected by

the board.

Donald Hubler MASB 2014-2015 President

Cindy GansenMASB 2014-2015 President-Elect

Brenda CarterMASB 2014-2015 Vice President

A Chance to ServeApply for a MASB Committee Position by August 31

Are you looking for a way to bemore involved in your association?

Do you want to share your expertise and perspective statewide? Do you want to network and connect with your peers on important discussions that impact education? Serving on one of MASB’s committees may be the right opportunity for you.

MASB association committees bring together school board representatives and other members of the educational community to discuss vital issues and help shape your association’s positions and actions.

Standing committees include:

• Government Relations: Thiscommittee monitors state andfederal legislative and executiveactions, and school financepertaining to public educationand school districts.

• Resolution and Bylaws: Thiscommittee develops andproposes resolutions and bylawsfor consideration by the DelegateAssembly, which, upon adoption,become MASB’s official positionon those issues.

• Legal Trust Fund: The Fundassists Michigan school boardsinvolved in litigation having state-wide significance. With the help

of the Legal Trust Fund, boards of education can pursue cases they might otherwise have to settle because of the high costs of litigation.

Ad hoc committees are created as needed throughout the year and typically meet once or twice before disbanding, allowing the MASB Board to deal with specific issues with a broad range of input from members.

To apply, submit an online application, or contact Cheryl Huffman at chuffman@masb.org or 517.327.5915 with your interest by August 31.

came as principal at Levey Middle School in Southfield, Mich., a National School of Excellence, where student proficiency on state assessments was more than doubled in five years and he was named the Michigan Middle School Principal of the Year in 2005. The author of several books, his work

focuses on school culture, school structure, quality instruction, and parent and community involvement.

Watch your mailboxes in early September for the program preview, which will include information on the other great programming you’ve come to expect from MASB. As always,

this year’s conference includes a full slate of clinic sessions, CBA classes, networking opportunities and the annual Exhibit Show featuring school products and services. Register today at www.masb.org/annual-conference.aspx!

Speakers continued from Page 4

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • Aug. 5, 20148

Savvy school board leaders are well aware of both the critical role the

superintendent plays in school gov-ernance and how essential a healthy board/superintendent relationship is to the success of a district. With this in mind, MASB is redoubling our efforts to support superintendents and foster the development of strong board/superin-tendent relationships with the redesign of our Area Representative Outreach Program.

The Area Representative Outreach Program is centered on relationships. MASB has had the good fortune to retain the services of retired school leaders—especially those who have a history of valuing relationships—to establish relationships on behalf of MASB with superintendents throughout the state (see list on the right). Throughout the 2014-2015 school year, these area representatives will work to foster and maintain positive relationships with districts and also serve as liaisons for information sharing.

“Our area representatives are

eager to get to work—with so many superintendents in new positions this year, there is plenty of good work to be done,” said Donna Oser, director of MASB Executive Search Services.

In addition to making personal visits with the 80+ superintendents in new positions in the 2014-2015 school year, area representatives will also reach out to existing superintendents of local and intermediate school districts to find out what’s working and what’s lacking. “We’re looking forward to learning how MASB can better support the work of boards of education and superintendents,” commented MASB Executive Director Kathy Hayes. “Our area representatives will help us do just that.”

For more information about the Area Representative Program, contact Executive Search Services Manager Kelly Jones at 517.327.5927 or kjones@masb.org.

Managing ChangeDriving Momentum

What: 2014 Small & Rural Schools Conference

Where: Saginaw ISD Transitions Instructional Services Center

When: Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Who: MASB, MSRSA and School Equity Caucus

Why: Learn and share ideas specific to small and rural schools.

How: Register today at www.masb.org/srsc.aspx

MASB Launches Superintendent Outreach Program MASB Area Representatives

Mary Colton—Retired Assistant Superintendent, Zeeland Public Schools Steve Cousins—Retired Superintendent, Traverse City Area Public Schools Sheri Davie—Former U.P. Staff Member, Sen. Debbie Stabenow Marlene Davis, Ph.D.—Retired Superintendent, Wayne RESARodney Green, Ph.D.—Retired Superintendent, East China School District Norman McKindles—Retired Superintendent, Baraga Area SchoolsChuck Miller—Retired Director of Customer Relations, SET SEG School Insurance SpecialistsDenny Patzer—Retired Superintendent, Otsego Public SchoolsDave Peden—Superintendent, Mona Shores Public SchoolsThomas J. Pillar, Ed.D.—Retired Superintendent, Waverly Community SchoolsJoel Raddatz—Retired Superintendent, Williamston Public SchoolsRichard Syrek, Ed.D.—Retired Superintendent, Saginaw ISDTom White—Retired Executive Director, Michigan School Business Officials

MEMSPA Call for NominationsThe Michigan Elementary and

Middle School Principals Associa-tion is accepting nominations for the 2014 MEMSPA Outstanding Practicing Principal Award.

This award is designed to recognize outstanding principals whose contributions to the profession are exemplary and recognized by their peers and communities alike. The program honors principals who have

exhibited extraordinary leadership, commitment to their students and faculty, service to their communities and contributions to the overall profession, including their professional associations.

The winning elementary or middle level principal nominee will also be the MEMSPA candidate to the National Association of Elementary School Principals National Distinguished

Principal Award in 2015. Nominations and supporting information are accepted from students, teachers, administrators, civic groups and parents groups.

Nomination Deadline: Sept. 30, 2014

Winner to be Announced: Dec. 4, 2014

Access the nomination form and criteria here.

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • Aug. 5, 20149

MASB Leadership Attends Regional NSBA MeetingThe 2014 NSBA Central Region

meeting was hosted by the Indiana School Boards Association, July 18 – 20, in Indianapolis. Representatives from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin come together on an an-nual basis to share what is happening in their respective states and to handle any business related to the National School Boards Association.

Representing the MASB were President Donald Hubler, President-Elect Cindy Gansen, Past President Ruth Coppens, Executive Director Kathy Hayes and Board Liaison Cheryl Huffman.

Through various sessions, attendees learned about test ratings and national trends, as well as advocacy efforts being conducted by NSBA. It was evident in all discussions that public schools across the nation are facing extreme criticism.

Additionally, at Sunday’s Business Meeting, MASB President Hubler was selected as the Central Region Policies and Resolutions Committee representative and MASB Past

President Coppens as an alternate on the National Nominating Committee for the Delegate Assembly at the next NSBA Annual Conference taking place March 21 – 23, 2015, in Nashville.

Attendees had an opportunity to ride in Indy- and NASCAR-style race cars, as well as tour the Dallara Indycar Factory where they are both made. They also explored more of Indiana’s history at the Indiana Historical Society and Indianapolis Museum of Art.

“We really appreciated the opportunity to network with our colleagues in other states and it was even ‘comforting’

to know they are facing the same problems we are,” Coppens said. “Representing Michigan was a privilege and the meeting helped to reaffirm our dedication to being the best school board members we can be.”

Next year’s meeting will be hosted by the Illinois School Boards Association.

Pictured from left to right at the Central Region meeting: MASB President Donald Hubler; MASB Past President Ruth Coppens; NSBA Executive Director Thomas J. Gentzel; MASB

President-Elect Cindy Gansen; and MASB Executive Director Kathy Hayes.

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • Aug. 5, 201410

Michigan Students May Opt Out of Animal DissectionThe State Board of Education is urging Michigan school districts to let students opt out of animal dissection for moral, ethical, religious or other reasons.

The policy was adopted by the board in May and applauded Thursday by the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The state board encourages K-12 districts to enact a policy letting students complete an alternate to dissection such as an interactive computer program. It’s up to individual districts to decide whether to follow the state’s guidance.

PETA says Michigan joined 21 states and Washington, D.C., with policies allowing students to opt against animal dissection. PETA says it has offered free training to familiarize Michigan science teachers with computer-based dissection programs.

Source: The Detroit News, July 31, 2014.

Which Tests for Michigan Students? Educa-tors, Residents Share Views at HearingState education officials got an earful from Michigan residents today—most of them educators—about how the state should move forward with testing of students.

“Remember the little people,” Rhonda Todd, a student achievement coach at David Ellis Academy, a Detroit charter school, said during a public hearing in Lansing. “Whenever and whatever we do, the children should be first and foremost.”

The Michigan Department of Education held the hearing to seek feedback about the future of testing. The hearing attracted more than 100

people who filled a room in Constitution Hall, leaving a couple of dozen standing and some listening from outside the room.

The future of testing has been in flux. The Education Department planned to replace the nearly 45-year-old MEAP with a new test, the Smarter Balanced Assessment, beginning in spring 2015. That test is based on the Common Core State Standards.

But the state budget, approved by lawmakers for this fiscal year, bars the department from moving to that test. Instead, the department must develop a new MEAP for elementary and middle school students. The new rules say the MEAP must be based on the Common Core standards, and must be an online exam—similar to the Smarter Balanced exam. The department also must put out a request for proposals for a test that would debut in spring 2016. That request would have to go out Sept. 1.

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan, who addressed the audience briefly, said the department isn’t required to hold such a hearing but it’s important to get the feedback.

“We want to get this right,” Flanagan said. “I appreciate the diversity of views we’re going to get today.”

Flanagan said key to the discussion is ensuring that students are measured in a fair way and that it’s a fair system for evaluating teachers.

Fairness was a common theme during the hearing. Lynne Cobb, a teacher from Grand Ledge, urged department officials to “stop and take a breath” and determine whether an exam can measure all the things speakers said it should measure, and be used to evaluate teachers.

“Is there truly an instrument that is going to be able to do that, do that well and do it fairly?” Cobb asked.

A couple of people came out to urge the state adopt the ACT Aspire, aligned with the ACT. The ACT is part of the Michigan Merit Exam.

Joseph Martineau, the department’s deputy superintendent of accountability services, said when the meeting was over that there were many thoughtful comments and it was clear that there’s “a lot of passion around this issue.”

Source: Detroit Free Press, July 30, 2014.

$5M Grant to Help Boost Middle School EducationMichigan Technological University says a $5 million grant will help in an effort to improve middle school science education that is expected to be tested in several school districts.

The Houghton school on Monday announced the three-year grant from the Midland-based Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation.

The foundation has funded the Michigan Science Teaching and Assessment Reform program, or Mi-STAR, to develop a model for changing middle-school education in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. It will include coming up with a new STEM curriculum.

Several other universities are among those involved. A pilot project is expected to take place in several school districts, including Midland, Grand Rapids and Eaton Rapids as well as the Public Schools of Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw and Houghton-Portage Township Schools.

Source: WLNS, July 22, 2014.

Education News

Education News, continued on Page 11

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • Aug. 5, 201411

Education News, from Page 10

A publication of the Michigan Association of School Boards

Contact MASB800 .968 .4627 • www .masb .org 517 .327 .5900 • webmaster@masb.org

MASB DatebookBoard Leadership Development

Opinions and sponsorships expressed in Headlines don’t necessarily reflect the position of MASB.

HeadlinesA News Report for Michigan Education Leaders

Mission StatementTo provide quality educational leadership services for all Michigan boards of educa-tion, and to advocate for student achieve-ment and public education.

2014-2015 MASB Board OfficersPresident: Donald HublerPresident-Elect: Cindy GansenVice President: Brenda CarterPast President: Ruth Coppens

Executive Director Kathy Hayes

Director of Communications, PR and MarketingJohn Tramontana

Aug. 8 – 9, 2014Summer School for School Leaders

Aug. 11, 2014Small & Rural Schools Conference @ Saginaw ISD

Aug. 12, 2014CBA 260 @ Livingston ESA

Aug. 13, 2014Creating Agenda Packets With BoardBook

Sept. 13, 2014CBAs @ Fitzgerald

Sept. 22, 2014School Foundation Conference @ The Radisson Hotel Lansing

View Complete Calendar

Woodhaven-Brownstown School Teachers Put Fun Spin on Summer LearningSchool officials are making an investment they believe is 100 percent guaranteed to bring back a positive return.

They are convinced the Summer Fun Camp, which kicked off July 21 and offers a hands-on experience in math, science, reading, writing and other critical areas of learning, will pay off for the 270 elementary students enrolled.

The three-week camp, which is free to all students, was launched from an idea brought forth by school Supt. Mark Greathead.

The superintendent wanted to offer elementary students a fun enrichment program that would help maintain and continue the learning process during the summer.

Roger Gurganus, a third-grade teacher in the district, also is the principal and coordinator of the camp housed in Yake and Erving Elementary schools.

The camp has less emphasis on paper and pencil and more on creativity and hands-on exploration.

Gurganus said invitations went out to elementary students who school officials thought might best benefit from the additional instruction program.

He said organizers are thrilled to see so many respond to the camp invitation.

In all, 18 teachers are onboard to instruct the students on various lessons they designed themselves.

Gurganus said Greathead put a good deal of trust in him, the teaching staff, curriculum director and others to come up with an engaging program structured on his concept.

“We budgeted for this,” Gurganus said. “It’s our investment in our

students. I think it’s a great show of how much our teachers care for the students.”

Planning for the camp began at the conclusion of the school year.

“It’s a chance to show that we are creative, and our commitment,” Gurganus said.

Teachers in the camp will concentrate on the following five areas of interest:

• Summer Steps: A camp for students entering the first grade. The class is designed to help children make a successful transition from kindergarten to first grade.

• Camp Read and Write S’Mores: A camp for second- and third-grade students. They will engage in reading, writing, speaking and listening so they can write like an author on a topic.

• Camp Exploration: A class for second- and third-grade students. They will engage in problem solving strategies through participation in an interactive math and science learning environment using activities and games.

• Camp Write Away: A camp for fourth- and fifth-grade students. They will spend time exploring fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, and partner stories.

• Brain S.T.E.M. Camp: A camp for students entering the fourth and fifth grades. Students will engage in problem solving strategies through participation in an interactive science, technology, engineering and math environment using activities and games.

Source: The News Herald, July 22, 2014.

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • Aug. 5, 201412

Worth Repeating

Worth Repeating doesn’t necessarily reflect the views or positions of MASB. It’s intended to spark dialogue and inform readers about what’s being said about public education around the state and nation.

What’s at Stake in Public EducationBlog post by Diane Ravitch for the Huffington Post, July 18, 2014.

Jeff Bryant notes that many in the na-tional media were stunned when the

NEA called for Secretary Arne Duncan’s resignation. For years, they believed the secretary’s press releases instead of investigating the festering discontent against his ill-informed policies. Many journalists are oblivious to the protests by teachers—like the one at Garfield High school in Seattle—against the use of student test scores to judge their quality. Many journalists never noticed growing protests by students against obsessive testing in cities like Provi-dence. Many never heard about parents groups objecting to profiteering by test publishers or dismissed them as public-ity stunts. Many have been oblivious to the devastating effects of budget cuts by state legislatures that at the same time that they open unsupervised char-ter schools that impoverish community public schools. With some notable exceptions, like the Detroit Free Press and the Akron Beacon Journal, the mainstream media has simply ignored a widespread assault on the principle of free public education, democratically controlled, open to all. Instead, they print press releases written by corpora-tions about “miracle schools,” where every child graduates and goes to col-lege, without bothering to check facts.

Reporters quote spokespeople from right-wing think tanks that support privatization or from groups like Democrats for Education Reform, which represents hedge fund managers even though they are neither teachers nor parents nor have any other claim to

authority (DFER recently referred to NEA as “the lunatic fringe” in the New York Times for denouncing Duncan, even though NEA speaks for three million teachers and DFER speaks for a handful of fabulously wealthy equity speculators).

What is most astonishing is to see the almost total indifference or ignorance of the mainstream media to an unprecedented and well-coordinated effort to privatize public education. Reporters don’t care that certain individuals and corporations are accumulating millions of dollars in taxpayer funding while schools are cutting their budgets and closing their libraries and increasing class sizes. Reporters don’t care that state authorities are allowing schools to open whose founders are not educators and may even be high school dropouts. Nor do they care when charter corporations claim to be “public schools,” yet refuse to permit the state to audit their expenditures, and in some states, refuse to share financial information with their own board. Has anyone tried to explain how a school can be “public” if its financials are not? Reporters know, but don’t care, that major charter chains contribute millions of dollars to state legislatures to make sure that no one investigates their use of public funds. A few reporters in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida have dared to pry into the cozy relationship between the charters and the legislature, but their exposes are followed by silence and inaction.

If present trends continue, the U.S. will have a dual system of education in another decade. Some cities will have few public schools, only charters that choose their students and exclude those with disabilities and those who can’t speak English. The few remaining public schools in urban districts will enroll the charter school rejects. The great irony is that privately managed schools don’t get better results than public schools on average for poor students yet they are a gold mine for their founders. What is at stake is the great tradition of public schools, open to all, supported by all, controlled by the public, not corporations. This is a principle worth fighting for, yet the public cannot fight if they are uninformed. It is up to a free press to sound the alarm when private interests seek to undermine, exploit, monetize, and control our democratic institutions. To date, with rare exceptions, the press has not sounded the alarm.

Ravitch is a research professor of education at New York University and author of the book “Reign of Error.”