t he m ichigan d epartment of e ducation : f ocusing o n s tudent a chievement presentation to the...
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THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: FOCUSING ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTPresentation to the OCTE Spring Update
March 12, 2014
Venessa A. Keesler, Ph.D.
Deputy Superintendent, Education Services
NEW DIRECTIONS AT MDE
VENESSA KEESLEREDUCATION SERVICES
JOSEPH MARTINEAUACCOUNTABILITY
SERVICESOffice of Educational
Improvement and Innovation (OEII)—Linda Forward
Office of Standards and Assessments (OSA)—Vince
Dean
Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE)—Patty Cantu
Office of Systems, Psychometrics, and
Measurement Research (OSPMR)—David Judd
Office of Field Services (OFS)—Mike Radke
Office of Evaluation, Strategic Research and Accountability
(OESRA)—Erika Bolig
Office of Special Education (OSE)—Eleanor White
Office of Assessment Business Operations (OABO)—Marilyn
Roberts
School Reform Office (SRO)—Deborah Clemmons
Office of Professional Preparation Services (OPPS)—
Flora Jenkins
MDE MISSION AND PRIORITIES Mission:
“All Michigan students graduate ready for careers, college and community.”
MDE PRIORITIES
Close achievement gaps Increase the number of children in appropriate
high quality early learning and development programs
Increase the number of children who are reading at grade level by the end of third grade
Increase the use of personalized teaching methods
Implement policies and activities to drive quality improvement and accountability in Educator Preparation Institution programs
Reduce health and safety barriers to learning [Seventh priority to be added—dealing with fiscal
accountability, financially distressed districts, etc.]
HOW DO WE REACH THAT MISSION? HOW DO WE OPERATIONALIZE THESE PRIORITIES?
Core areas of focus for Education and Accountability Services/our work: Closing the achievement gap while accelerating
achievement for all students Moving beyond compliance Effective educators K-3 literacy Data driven decision making
EDUCATION SERVICES “MASTER PLAN”
Key Areas of Focus What these are:
The key pieces that help us make progress on the priorities
The elements to a holistic approach to improving our work on behalf of Michigan’s students
What these are not: An all-inclusive list of all the work we do in our
divisions
CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP; CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS FOR ALL STUDENTS Why does this matter?
Too many Michigan students are being left behind—at each stage of the pipeline
Success as an educational system means making sure each and every student has access to high-quality education
Key initiatives: Delivery plan to implement gap closure strategies Associated research agenda Priority and Focus school interventions Achievement gap focus in CTE data Early Middle Colleges, enhanced dual enrollment, CTE
articulation agreements, opportunities for credit while still in secondary education
Integration of gaps into accountability system and development of associated data tools
BUILDING ON/MOVING BEYOND COMPLIANCE Why does this matter?
We have been compliant; compliance has not uniformly led to increased student achievement.
Compliance is necessary… but it is not sufficient How can we, as the SEA, renew our focus on students, find
innovative ways to support good practice, provide technical assistance BEFORE a district is non-compliant, and act as a partner in the educational system and process?
Key initiatives: Data tools to use assessment and accountability results Strategic policy evaluation and research Leveraging grants Quality in plans initiative Reducing reporting burden; aligning requirements Focus on technical assistance and models; early adopters
and fast followers
EFFECTIVE EDUCATORS
Why does this matter? Education happens at the intersection between a
student and a teacher, in the presence of content.
Michigan needs talented, trained and well-supported educators to make this happen.
Key initiatives: MCEE report on educator evaluations; legislative
work to support this report New teacher standards (InTASC) Revised EPI Performance Score MTTC cut scores Educator evaluations for CTE educators
EARLY LITERACY
Why does this matter? In the educational pipeline, students need to gain
skills in literacy (and numeracy) early in their educational careers.
By the time we test in third grade, it is very late in the game for those students
Key initiatives: We will be putting together an overall plan using
the delivery model starting this month Researching/learning about multi-tiered systems
of support and how they can support this goal Third grade retention bill; legislative interaction Kindergarten entrance exam K-2 interims
DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS Why does this matter?
We need to work smarter, not harder. We need to use the massive wealth of data we have to
actually improve education. When decisions are informed by information in a timely
manner, we have a better chance of identifying the correct solution to problems in education.
Key initiatives: Strategic Policy Evaluation and Research work: having
evidence available on core priority areas Collaboration with CEPI to refine the portal Continued development and enactment of a strategic
research agenda that addresses our major priority policy areas
Having actionable data in the hands of MDE program offices, districts, ISDs, schools and teachers to inform instructional decisions
OTHER PIECES OF THAT CHART
Cross-Office Work Specific cross-office collaborations that
Directly support the key areas of focus and That we are involved with directly
Office Specific Focus Specific topics/areas within each office that
Relate directly to the key areas of focus and That we are involved with directly
NOT fully inclusive of all the work completed by an office!
ROADMAP FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS Focus on getting Ed Serv offices the data and the
training they need for data-driven decision making. Greater alignment between our offices and initiatives;
we do not have sufficient staff or resources to duplicate efforts AND it burdens the field.
How do we tie finances to academics? Finalize an early literacy plan and begin
implementation Multi-tiered systems of support—how to encourage,
how to align work across all offices, how to support the field
Develop and finalize our approach to postsecondary transitions and to STEM
Reduce reporting burden for our schools, particularly our Priority schools
ROADMAP FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS
Implementing a balanced assessment system Building out strategic policy evaluation
research capacity and systems Implementing the revised EPI score Recruiting high-quality providers for
advanced professional licensure Supporting schools in educator evaluations—
system build and technical assistance
LEADERSHIP GOALS/VISION• Focus on students– Ask ourselves: “How will this help us increase career-and
college readiness in students, close achievement gaps and accelerate achievement for all students?” If we can’t answer that, consider whether we need to do it…
• Cross-office collaboration; integrated and innovative approaches to our work – Helps create alignment for the field if we align our
initiatives.• MDE Connection with the field– Within the state and national connections
• Decision-making informed by data, information and research
FOCUS ON STUDENTS
We are the Department of Education We have a special privilege and responsibility
in state government as being entrusted with providing leadership and support for over 1.5 million students, 100,000 teachers, 20,000 administrators, 3500 schools and 800 districts.
It is about the students. Every day, we need to remember that.
Make our decisions here based on what helps students receive a higher-quality education
MAJOR HOT TOPICS AND CHALLENGES
Educator evaluations Assessment decisions and transitions Third grade retention bills Letter grade bill/accountability system Statewide School Reform and Redesign
District New science standards ESEA Flexibility: next steps Others that you want to ask about?
THANK YOU!
Venessa A. Keesler, Ph.D.Deputy Superintendent, Education [email protected]
Michigan Department of Education