June 17, 2021 MICIP Continuous Communication

In this issue of MICIP Continuous Communication

We are excited to share some accomplishments since the statewide launch of the MICIP Platform on January 4, 2021, information about how you can continue learning about continuous improvement during the summer, planning for the fall continuous improvement conference, information about the MiStrategyBank, and an upcoming deadline for reporting 31a program reports on July 15.

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Thanks to you, it’s been a great year for MICIP – Continuous Communication will take a break until August 5

What a year it has been – with the help of many wonderful stakeholders in local school districts and intermediate school districts we were able to launch the MICIP platform with now more than 94% participation. All of this during a worldwide pandemic.

If you’re reading this, you have likely been a part of this success. Thank you so very much for your contribution to school improvement and supporting student success!

Let’s look back on highlights from the past year.

On October 5, 2020, MICIP became available to our limited launch partners who helped the MICIP development team complete the first statewide release. The input from this group was invaluable as the final touches were added to the MICIP platform.

 

The MICIP Platform launched statewide on January 4, 2021. Since that time, there have been many changes and accomplishments.

• The number of authorized districts grew from 86 to 833.
• The website has been visited over 40,000 times.
  
• There are close to 10,000 subscribers to this newsletter.
• There are more than 1,300 data stories already created.
• There have been 6 platform releases.
• MICIP has been nominated for two national awards.

Just like many of you, Continuous Communication is also taking a break for the month of July.  We hope you have a relaxing time.  We will see you again on August 5.

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MICIP Summer Assignment

Summer is the time we take a break, celebrate our accomplishments during the past school year, and begin to think about the upcoming year.

We are continuing to add new features and enhance existing features in MICIP.  So just like we frequently suggest to students that they keep reading over the summer to keeping learning, we’d like to suggest summer activities to keep learning about MICIP.

• Check the MICIP web site for new resources as well as for new editions of Continuous Communication (CC). While we will not be posting the CC during July, it will return in August with highlights of new professional learning opportunities and of platform enhancements.
• Dig more deeply into MICIP. We realize that there was a lot of learning that needed to take place in a relatively short period of time this past year. Given the gift of additional time over the summer, you might take time to investigate the resources that you just did not have time to dig into the past six months. And as you deepen your own knowledge, how might you use that knowledge to deepen the understanding of those you support?
• One of the MICIP mantras has been that whenever you start implementing, you start monitoring. As districts move into implementation during the summer and fall, how might you offer support with monitoring? The MICIP team is in the process of enhancing the monitor and adjust components of the platform/training site; keep an eye out for more information in August.
• Become more familiar with MiStrategyBank. Summer would be a great opportunity to become more knowledgeable about the strategies that are already in the bank as well as to curate new strategies for everyone to use.

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MDE Fall 2021 Virtual Continuous Improvement Conference

The MDE Fall 2021 Virtual Continuous Improvement Conference “Equity and Stakeholder Voice: Making Education More Engaging and Relevant for Students, Families, and Educators” will take place on Tuesday, October 19.  Keynoting the conference will be Dr. Jal Mehta, Professor of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, speaking on “Humane and Equitable Continuous Improvement: Why Tools Should Serve Humans and Not Vice Versa.” 

Returning to the event will be Dr. Seena Skelton, Director of Operations for Region III Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center, speaking on "Equity and Continuous Improvement: Using Quantitative and Qualitative Data in an Equity-Centered Continuous Improvement Process." 

Attendees will also have an opportunity to attend a number of breakout sessions; in contrast to the recorded presentations at last year’s event, breakouts this year will be live.  Those attending will also have access to all presentations after the conference. You are invited to submit a proposal for a workshop (RFP) supporting the conference theme; of particular interest are those districts and schools who can share stories of success.  RFPs are due by June 30.   You will find RFP information at MDE Fall 2021 Virtual Continuous Improvement Conference RFP | Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators (gomasa.org). 

Conference information and a registration link are available at MDE Fall 2021 Virtual Continuous Improvement Conference | Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators (gomasa.org).  Please contact Ben Boerkoel at boerkoelb@michigan.gov if you have questions.

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MiStrategyBank: MDE Curation Efforts 

For the past year, many Michigan Department of Education (MDE) offices have been curating global improvement level strategies in the MiStrategyBank. Nearly 150 MDE strategies can now be found within the MiStrategyBank and therefore, are viewable in MICIP. Strategies such as: #GoOpen Michigan Toolkit, 21 Things 4 Students, Best Practices for Motivating Reading, CHAMPS, Michigan Model for Health, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and so much more.  

To find MDE Strategies:

• Within MiStrategyBank use the filter screen to apply a filter on “Improvement” for Type and “MDE” for Curator.  All MDE Office curated strategies have been meta-tagged as MDE and their office abbreviation.  For example, the Office of Educational Supports is (MDE-OES). If districts have been working with a specific office, they can narrow their search by filtering on MDE-[office abbreviation].
• Within MICIP navigate under the Plan/Manage Strategies link, on the Create Strategy Implementation plan, and click Add Strategy. A pop-up window will appear. Districts will be able to:
  • Search on Title (Note: titles can be found easily by searching first in MiStrategyBank)
  • Browse by Domain (Academic, Non-Academic, and System) and Outcome Tags

The MDE not only values and believes in a continuous improvement mindset, we live it. Ongoing efforts to add needed strategies and improve the current strategies will be underway this summer. The MDE staff will be adding domain and outcome tags, additional resources and research citations, and adding other missing key meta-tags. These efforts have been made possible through shared learning and user experiences that captured challenges with the tools and supported problem solving. To continue learning from the field, a feedback survey is available. Please take a few minutes to share your feedback on strategy selection, curation, and training. The more the system is used and information is learned and shared, the more robust and easier the system will become. Your feedback is a valuable part of continuous improvement. 

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/kh1NMHz3wVyffrbx8

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DEADLINE: July 15, 2021: Local education agencies (LEAs) receiving Section 31a At Risk Funds must submit Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Section 31a Annual Program and Fiscal Report (APFR) in NexSys

The APFR will be completed in NexSys. At this time, the NexSys APFR is not yet available. A notice will be posted on the Section 31a website when the report is available in the system. Technical assistance videos and documents including overviews of the report in NexSys are avaiable now on the website for LEAs to begin planning.

Please direction questions regarding the Section 31a APFR as follows:

Program and reporting requirements to the Office of Educational Supports (OES) Special Populations Unit at 517-241-6974:

• Michelle Williams, Manager, williamsm48@michigan.gov
• Dawn Carmody, Consultant, carmodyd1@michigan.gov
• Suzanne Grambush, Consultant, grambushs1@michigan.gov
• Stephanie Holmes-Webster, Consultant, holmeswebsters@michigan.gov
• Joan Jackson, Consultant, jacksonj33@michigan.gov

NexSys Section 31a APFR may be directed to the OES Financial Unit at 517-241-5388.

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Previous issues of MICIP Continuous Communication are available on the MICIP web page.

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Feedback is Essential for Continuous Communication!

Have a question, an idea, a suggestion, or a compliment? The MICIP team is always eager to hear your feedback! Send us an email using the MICIP email address (mde-micip@michigan.gov).