MDE Official Weekly Communication

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday next week, there will be no regular Thursday Communications from the Michigan Department of Education. If any urgent matters arise, though, the department will be sure to communicate those with school districts.

 

MEMO #110-22

Strategies, Tips, and Tools to Increase Graduation Rates for High School Students 

In eight of the last ten years, Michigan’s four-year graduation rate increased, from 74.1% in 2011 to 80.5% in 2021, with a peak of 82.1% in 2020. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has had an impact on statewide graduation rates, in Michigan and in many other states. While Michigan’s rate remains considerably higher than a decade ago, there is a need to continue our efforts to increase the percentages of children who graduate from high school.  

2022 - 110 Strategies and Tips and Tools to Increase Graduation Rates for High School Students

 

MEMO #111-22

Daily Substitute Teaching Permits 90-Day Limitation Waiver       

In support of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan Goal 7 to increase the numbers of certified teachers in areas of shortage, and in an effort to improve student achievement, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) seeks to provide access to high-quality instruction. 

2022 - 111 Daily Substitute Teaching Permits 90-Day Limitation Waiver

 

MEMO #112-22

Accountability and Supports 

Prior to the pandemic, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) was required to run its federal school accountability system, the Michigan School Index, annually in fulfillment of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges for all, which led the United States Department of Education (USED) to grant waivers to states to set aside (1) state summative assessments for the 2019-20 school year and (2) federally required school accountability results determinations/release for 2019-20 and 2020-21. 

2022 - 112 Accountability and Supports

 

MEMO #113-22

Family Matters Resources and Information 

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Office of Special Education (OSE) is requesting your help with sharing Family Matters resources that provide parents and families with information about the special education system.

2022 - 113 Family Matters Resources and Information

 

MEMO #114-22

2023 Dr. Chery S. Wagonlander Early Middle College Excellence in Practice Awards 

The Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education (MDE - OCTE), in partnership with the Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA), is excited to accept nominations for the annual Dr. Chery S. Wagonlander Early Middle College Excellence in Practice Awards. The namesake of these awards, Dr. Wagonlander, retired on December 31, 2021, after more than 40 years of service in education as a teacher, counselor, administrator, founding principal of Mott Middle College (MMC), and the founding director of the Michigan Early Middle College Association. 

2022 - 114 2023 Dr Chery S Wagonlander Early Middle College Excellence in Practice Awards

 

MEMO #115-22

Announcing the American Rescue Plan Act, Homeless Children and Youth II Grant Application         

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is pleased to announce the availability of the federal American Rescue Plan Act, Homeless Children and Youth II (ARP-HCY II) grant application for local education agencies (LEAs), both traditional public school districts and public school academies (PSAs). This grant is funded under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY). 

2022 - 115 Announcing the American Rescue Plan Act Homeless Children and Youth II Grant Application

 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

1. SFRC Releases Cost of School Transportation Study

Earlier this week, the School Finance Research Collaborative (SFRC) released the “Cost of Transportation in Michigan” study conducted by Augenblick, Palaich and Associates (APA Consulting). This is the same firm that conducted the original 2018 study on the cost to educate children in Michigan. Building off the SFRC’s 2018 study, "Costing Out the Resources Needed to Meet Michigan's Standards and Requirements," the Cost of Transportation in Michigan study recommended a transportation funding approach that would take into account district transportation characteristics such as density of students and geographic composition. The total cost to the state to implement the study recommendations would be $402 million.

 

2. Child Nutrition Programs Administrative Memo No. 1 - School Year 2022-2023

For information on Required Annual Civil Rights Training Reminder for Participation in the Child Nutrition Programs, please see Child Nutrition Programs Administrative Memo No. 1 – School Year 2022-2023 at the following link: CNP Memo No. 1 - School Year 2022-2023

 

3. Grant Available to Launch a NAF Academy of Health Sciences to provide Healthcare Careers for High School Students

The Michigan Department of Education, in partnership with Name a Future (NAF), is pleased to offer school districts an opportunity to help prepare high school students to pursue in-demand healthcare careers by applying for a grant to open one or more NAF Academy of Health Sciences. This grant opportunity is open to all school districts operating high schools across Michigan. The grant funds will cover the year of planning costs associated with launching a NAF Academy of Health Sciences.  More information around the grant application process will be available in January. Interested districts are invited to register here for a webinar on November 21, 2022 from 4-5:00 p.m. to learn more about how your district can equip its high school students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue one of Michigan’s high-demand health services careers. This will be the first in series of informational webinars around the NAF Academies of Health Sciences and the grant opportunity available to districts.

 

4. Disciplinary Literacy Essentials EduPaths Courses 2 & 3 Announcement

Disciplinary Literacy Course 2-Disciplinary Literacy: Framing Problems and Setting Purpose; and Course 3-Disciplinary Literacy: Planning for and Implementing Assessment are now available on EduPaths (search for “Disciplinary Literacy”). This course series is intended for all secondary school educators and instructional leaders yearning to learn about the Essential Instructional Practices for Disciplinary Literacy in the Secondary Classroom: Grades 6 to 12, in an effort to improve adolescent literacy in every secondary school classroom. The learning activities are specifically designed to support interdisciplinary educator teams, although individual educators are invited to enroll and join as well. Free SCECHs are available. Please direct inquiries and questions to GELN Disciplinary Literacy Task Force chair Jenelle Williams (jenelle.williams@oakland.k12.mi.us) or Cherron Ramsey (ramseyc@resa.net). 

 

5. State Can Help Identify Lead Levels in Drinking Water

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has a program to test the water in school buildings for lead free of charge and help reduce childhood lead exposure. The program is focused on testing all drinking and food preparation taps at schools or childcare facilities in underserved areas that are at high risk for lead exposure. By participating, EGLE will provide the following with no cost to schools:

1. A walk-through by EGLE experts to assess lead risk in the drinking water
2. Help develop a drinking water management and flushing plan
3. Assist in flushing zone determination
4. Provide training for system and tap flushing
5. Collect samples and test the water for lead
6. Provide guidance to reduce the risk of lead exposure
7. Provide point of use filters for faucets needed for consumption as a stop gap measure until more permanent actions can be taken to reduce the risk of lead exposure in the drinking water
8. Help with additional resources for a lead reduction action plan if needed

This program is about identifying and fixing issues, not shutting the building down if lead is found in the water. To find out if your school or district is eligible for this program and for grant funding to mitigate identified issues, or if you have questions regarding this program, please contact Holly Gohlke, School Drinking Water Specialist at EGLE, 517-220-1904 or Gohlkeh@Michigan.gov.

 

6. Reminder: AdviseMI Call for Proposals: High School Partners (Deadline: Nov. 30, 2022)

AdviseMI is seeking new high school partners who serve the Michigan College Access Network’s (MCAN) priority students and are interested in hosting a college adviser through AdviseMI or the Michigan State University College Advising Corps. Advisers help seniors complete college-going steps and matriculate to college. Please contact Jenny McArdle, director of service strategy, with any questions.

Learn more and apply

Watch the Host Site Information Session recording

 

7. Reminder: College Bound Michigan – Rolling deadline

Michigan high schools that want to build and support a college-going culture within their communities and gain access to exclusive grants are encouraged to register for College Bound Michigan 2022-23. The one-step registration will enroll schools in Michigan College Month, College Cash Campaign, and College Decision Day. Registered schools can apply for $1,000 mini-grants to help fund college-going activities. If your school is already registered, simply complete the winter updates and grant narrative to gain access to the grant application. Share how your school or organization is taking part in CBMI by using the social media hashtags #IApplied, #CollegeBoundMI, and #SixtyBy30.

Learn more and register

College Bound Michigan Resource Hub

 

8. Reminder: CAVA Can Help Students Complete College-going Steps

The Michigan College Access Network’s (MCAN) College Access Virtual Assistant, or CAVA, is ready to support the Class of 2023! Schools can enroll in CAVA, and their seniors will receive approximately one text each week, tailored to them. Individual class of 2023 students can also opt themselves in, regardless of their school's enrollment. Conversations are interactive and responsive, with questions answered 24/7, in real time. If the texting chat bot cannot answer a question, MCAN staff will connect with the student directly.

Learn More About CAVA

 

STAY INFORMED:

• Stay up to date on the latest department Assessment and Accountability news and important information each week -- Sign up for Spotlight on Student Assessment and Accountability at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIMDE/subscriber/new. To view the latest Spotlight, click here: www.michigan.gov/mde-spotlight.
• Sign up for MICIP Continuous Communication newsletter at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIMDE/subscriber/new. To view the latest Continuous Communication, click here: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-81376_92325-528997--,00.html.
• To access previously sent MDE memos, please go to our archive: www.michigan.gov/mdememos.

 

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