October 14, 2021 MICIP Continuous Communication

Michigan Department of Education sent this bulletin at 10/14/2021 01:23 PM EDT
MICIP Continuous Communication

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In this issue of MICIP Continuous Communication

This issue of MICIP Continuous Communication includes information about your last chance to register for next week's Fall 2021 Virtual Continuous Improvement Conference, the third of a series of articles about Monitoring and Adjusting Continuous Improvement Plans, the MICIP User Group Conversation, information about a newly available Professional Learning Bite, and more!

Virtual MeetingMDE Fall 2021 Virtual Continuous Improvement Conference

This is your last chance to register for the MDE Fall 2021 Virtual Continuous Improvement Conference “Equity and Stakeholder Voice: Making Education More Engaging and Relevant for Students, Families, and Educators” on Tuesday, October 19.  

Conference information and a registration link are available at MDE Fall 2021 Virtual Continuous Improvement Conference | Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators (gomasa.org).

MICIP ImplementationAdjust the Continuous Improvement Plan

This is a the third in a series of three articles on Monitoring and Adjusting your Continuous Improvement Plan 

Once you have reflected on implementation and impact, you can consider any adjustments you might need to make.

Remember that adjustments must be made on evidence, not just on hunches. Should data show that a plan could benefit from adjustment(s), they can be made in three areas: the data story, the goal, or strategies and activities.

In each of these categories there are some considerations that the platform will prompt. The list below is not exhaustive but does include some of the more important ones.

Data Story

  • What monitoring data will give a more complete picture of the plan?

Goal

  • Do timelines for interim targets need to be adjusted forward or backward? What will be the impact of those adjustments?
  • Using an equity lens, how will adjustments to the plan affect individual schools or target populations?
  • Has sufficient time been devoted to implementation of the plan, including time for an implementation dip that frequently accompanies implementation of a new strategy?
  • Have the necessary supports and resources been provided for high quality implementation?

Strategy/Activity

  • Has sufficient time been devoted to implementation of the plan, including time for an implementation dip that frequently accompanies implementation of a new strategy?
  • Have the necessary supports and resources been provided for high quality implementation?
  • Have the activities been completed according to their timelines?
  • Are there barriers to implementation and, if so, have they been addressed?

Note that it is not necessary to adjust the plan every time you monitor. Adjustments should only be made if the data suggests they are necessary.

As with monitoring, it is also important to consider what communication might need to take place concerning adjustments to the plan. What needs to be communicated?  To whom?  When? How?

MICIP MonitoringMonitoring the Monitoring and Continuous Improvement Processes

The team also needs to regularly monitor the monitoring process itself by asking about the fidelity of implementation of monitoring as well as whether it is having the desired impact.

Similarly, it is also important that the team regularly step back and reflect on not only the success of the plan but on the entire continuous improvement process as well by asking,

“To what extent are we implementing the entire plan as written? What does the implementation data say? Are we having the impact we want to have?”

Monitoring and Adjust are critical components of the continuous improvement cycle. Even though they were part of previous cycles, in the new MICIP cycle they are specifically called out to emphasize their importance. The best written plan is likely to fail without high quality monitoring and adjusting.

Monitor and Adjust in the MICIP Platform

The Monitor component will be going live in the MICIP platform before October 19, with the Adjust component to follow in late December.

Once the component is live in the platform, it will also be available in the training site. This will be accompanied by a Monitor and Adjust Guide that will be found on the MICIP website under Current Topics as well as under Resources/MDE Resources/Guides and Tools.

The Monitor and Adjust Guide focuses only on monitor and adjust and will eventually be part of the comprehensive MICIP Process Guide scheduled to be updated by January 2022.

Those who attend the MICIP Latest and Greatest breakout at the Continuous Improvement Conference next Tuesday will see a demonstration of the Monitor and Adjust content in the platform.

There are also two Monitor and Adjust trainings scheduled next week Wednesday and Friday. While these are primarily for district and school personnel, anyone is welcome to attend.

They will be recorded and eventually placed on the MICIP website.

SEP Goal 7MiMTSS Technical Assistance Catalog

Michigan’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports Technical Assistance Center (MiMTSS TA Center) works on behalf of the Michigan Department of Education to provide a continuum of technical assistance to ISDs, districts, and schools in a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has defined MTSS as a

“comprehensive framework comprised of a collection of research-based strategies designed to meet the individual needs and assets of the whole child at all achievement levels. MTSS intentionally interconnects the education, health, and human service systems in support of successful learners, schools, centers, and community outcomes.”  

For information about universal, targeted, and intensive supports available from the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center, see the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Catalog.

Voices from the fieldimage

Don't forget to respond to this month's question: "What has been your most successful monitoring strategy/tool?"

Follow the link to share your MICIP success!

Professional LearningNew Professional Learning Bite

There is a new Learning Bite on the MICIP website regarding MICIP and Technology.

This is the first is a series on that topic. It can also be accessed under Professional Learning/MICIP Process/Overview & Setting the Stage/MICIP Professional Learning Bites.

imageMICIP User Group Conversation

The first MICIP user group conversation will take place on Monday, November 1 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. The purpose of the group is for MICIP users to learn from and support each other.

No matter what your role in or expertise with MICIP, you are welcome to attend. The conversation may consider questions such as:

  • How did using MICIP impact your continuous improvement process this year? 
  • What challenges or questions did you have?  How have others addressed these challenges?
  • How can we help districts and schools live into the MICIP mindset and process?
  • What additional resources would you find helpful?

The conversation will also include soliciting topics and facilitators for future conversations, as well as their structure and frequency. Your attendance at this first conversation does not commit you to any future participation, and you are not required to attend every conversation.

If you are not able to attend this first opportunity but would like to attend in the future, please contact Ben Boerkoel at boerkoelb@michigan.gov to let us know of your interest.

Dates and times for future conversations will be announced through Continuous Communication.

Connection information for November 1 is:

imageComing Soon: MICIP and NexSys Q & A

The Michigan Department of Education received questions regarding the delay in the full integration of MICIP and NexSys.

A Questions and Answers document will be posted on the MICIP and Office of Educational Supports websites in the next few days as well as in the next Continuous Communication. Thank you for your questions and feedback.

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

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).