Are you a teacher and/or parent interested in giving input into the development of the ESSA plan? MDE is forming two virtual focus groups:
a. Virtual Parent Focus Group. We want to know what parents think. We also know that it's hard for busy parents to come to in-person meetings in Lansing or even in their communities, so we created the Virtual Parent Focus Group. If you are a parent and want to be a part, please go to www.michigan.gov/essa, and click on the "Get Involved" link. We also encourage you to share this information with other parents in your networks. We will be providing information through this focus group, generating feedback through surveys, online chats, web-based feedback forms, etc.
b. Virtual Teacher Focus Group. Much like parents, teachers are a critical voice to have in the plan development. We are recruiting teachers to sign up for our Virtual Teacher Focus Group as well, at www.michigan.gov/essa, click on "Get Involved."
One aspect of the ESSA that may be of particular interest to educators is the shift in language from "Highly Qualified" to "Supporting Effective Instruction". I've cited some of the language from the Title II section of the ESSA below:
''The purpose of this title is to provide grants to State educational agencies and subgrants to local educational agencies to—
''(1) increase student achievement consistent with the challenging State academic standards;
''(2) improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders;
''(3) increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools; and
''(4) provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders.
PART A—SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION
SEC. 2101. FORMULA GRANTS TO STATES.
''(c) STATE USES OF FUNDS.—(pg 118)
''(B) TYPES OF STATE ACTIVITIES — The activities described in this subparagraph are the following:
''(i) Reforming teacher, principal, or other school leader certification, recertification, licensing, or tenure systems or preparation program standards and approval processes to ensure that—
''(I) teachers have the necessary subject-matter knowledge and teaching skills, as demonstrated through measures determined by the State, which may include teacher performance assessments, in the academic subjects that the teachers teach to help students meet challenging State academic standards;
''(II) principals or other school leaders have the instructional leadership skills to help teachers teach and to help students meet such challenging State academic standards; and
''(III) teacher certification or licensing requirements are aligned with such challenging State academic standards.
Another notable change is that the Title IIB MSP funds are gone. There are no longer federal funds dedicated to supporting STEM education. A state could choose to use their Title IV funds to support STEM Education. I've attached the Title IV talking points sent out by the national STEM Education Coalition which provides an overview of what states can choose to address in their plans.
Ruth Anne Hodges
Manager, Curriculum and Instruction Unit
Mathematics/Science Partnership Grant Team Leader
Michigan Dept. of Education
Office of Education Improvement & Innovation
608 W. Allegan St
PO Box 30008
Lansing, MI 48909
517.241.2219 (office)
517.243.7172 (cell)
517.241.0247 (fax)
www.michigan.gov/mspartnership
Our collective efforts can help make Michigan a Top 10 education state in 10 years! Here are the goals and strategies: http://mi.gov/top10in10/
