August 2023 MICIP Continuous Communication Newsletter

Michigan Department of Education sent this bulletin at 08/03/2023 03:00 PM EDT
MICIP Continuous Communication

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In this issue of MICIP Continuous Communication

Welcome back to another year of MICIP Continuous Communication. This issue includes important information about changes to MICIP leadership, the upcoming Continuous Improvement Conference, new professional learning opportunities, and more!

Decorative imageChanges to MICIP Leadership

There will be a few changes to MICIP leadership effective immediately until a new MICIP Lead is hired.

Ben Boerkoel will be Interim MICIP Lead, and Dr. Terry Nugent will be technical support and senior product owner. Ben will continue with his responsibilities of supporting districts with the MICIP process in the platform, and, as the Interim MICIP Lead, he will assure that the MICIP process and platform continue to perform as expected.

Dr. Terry Nugent is on a limited work schedule (Monday through Friday from 8am – Noon) and is available to help districts with their process and platform questions.

Renie Araoz will continue to be the MDE MICIP administrator who can help districts with user management questions.

Their contact information is:

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that if you have changes in leadership at the district or building level, you will need to do the following things related to MICIP?

  • If the person is going from a user role to a MICIP administrator role, then the MICIP district administrator needs to deactivate that individual as a user and notify MDE to activate them as an administrator.
  • If the person is new to the user role, then the district MICIP administrator can create a user account. (See Platform Guide for instructions)
  • If the person is a new district MICIP administrator, then the current MICIP administrator needs to email a request to Renie Araoz (araozr@michigan.gov) to create an account.

We recommend that all districts have at least two MICIP administrators. The only permission difference between users and administrators is the administrators manage users and third-party integrations.

Decorative imageMI Kids Back on Track

On July 20th Governor Whitmer signed into law Public Act 103 which includes funds for the Mi Kids Back on Track program. $149.6 million dollars will be available to districts to support programs provided before school, during school, after school, or during the summer. These funds are designed to:

  • address unfinished learning,
  • get students to grade-level academic standards,
  • provide additional academic assistance to students at risk of falling behind their peers or
  • help high school students prepare for postsecondary education.

Like 98c, districts will have to apply to be eligible for funding. Eligible districts will then receive an allocation based on the number of students not proficient in ELA or mathematics on the MSTEP or the MME.

To be eligible, districts must submit to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) plans developed using the MICIP process and platform. Districts must develop plans that describes the evidence-based actions the district is taking, and will take, to respond to student needs related to the bullet points above. The plan must meet the following criteria:

  • Reflect input from educators, parents and legal guardians, and community members.
  • Include an analysis of student data and describe student needs.
  • Identify evidence-based best practices to be implemented or expanded in response to student needs.
  • Include a plan to implement the evidence-based practices, including through high-impact tutoring programs such as those listed in the MiStrategyBank.
  • Describe how the implementation of the evidenced-based practices, especially tutoring, will be supported by individuals who can provide training and coaching to teachers and/or tutors.
  • Describe how funds received under this section will create or expand the efforts and activities described in the plan.

The MDE is working on the eligibility guidelines to be released in early August. MDE has created a MI Kids Back on Track webpage where guidelines and other information will be posted as they are ready. Information will also be sent out through the MDE weekly communications, the MICIP monthly communications and various listservs. Districts and ISDs/RESAs interested in applying might want to consider completing this Intent to Apply form in to receive updates directly.

Questions around this grant opportunity should be sent to 23g-MiKids@michigan.gov.

Professional LearningWelcome to another year of MICIP Professional Learning

For this coming year we have adopted the theme:

Living into Continuous Improvement

Now that districts have plans in the MICIP platform, how will they make them come alive through high quality implementation, monitoring, and adjusting so they realize the goals they have identified through those plans?

We’re excited that not only will MDE use this as a focus, but a number of our partner organizations have also agreed to support this theme. We will kick off the theme at the October Continuous Improvement Conference (see following article) and continue it throughout the year, including through the MICIP Collaboration Series and the MICIP User Group that will switch to alternating months.

We will also continue to support those new to MICIP through 101-level presentations. The MDE Continuous Improvement Conference will feature a MICIP introductory session divided over two breakouts. We are also producing a new Toolkit for beginners and will offer periodic webinars. So, if your responsibilities for the new school year include formal work in continuous improvement—especially if this is new work for you—or if you are just checking it out with your few minutes of extra time, the suggestions below might give you a place to start.

  • The MICIP website contains many resources. So that it doesn’t become overwhelming, you might want to start with those listed below.
  • The MICIP Process Guide will give you a good overall sense of MICIP - the mindset, process and platform.
  • MICIP Professional Learning Bites are one-page descriptions of the various MICIP processes/components.
  • The MICIP Toolkits help provide explanations of some of the processes that support MICIP.
  • The MICIP Continuous Communication is a monthly newsletter where you will find the most up-to-date information regarding MICIP. You can sign up for the MICIP Newsletter
  • Eventually you may want to access the MICIP Training Site that allows you to mimic working in the actual platform.

In addition to the MICIP Help Desk, we also invite you to take advantage of the personal support identified above who will do everything to ensure that your MICIP experience is a positive one.

If you have other ideas that would benefit you or those you support, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Look for more details on these opportunities in the September edition of Continuous Communication.

MDE Continuous Improvement Conference

The 2023 MDE Continuous Improvement Conference will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Mt. Pleasant.

Under the theme, “Continuous Improvement: Leveraging Systems, Strategies and Supports to Impact Outcomes for All Students,” it will feature keynote speaker Mr. Kurt Russell, the 2022 National Teacher of the Year as well as twenty-four breakout sessions, including:

  • Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP) 101
  • Leveraging Strengths and Leaning into Systems to Improve Secondary Teaching and Learning
  • Building a Comprehensive School-Based Behavioral Health System
  • Best Practices for Providing and Supporting Inclusive Books to All Students
  • Integrating Science and Social Studies: Building on Connections
  • Strategic Planning and the MICIP Process
  • Data for Equity

and many others that will be highlighted in the September and October Continuous Communications.

Both on-site and virtual registration as well as hotel information can be found at the registration link. MDE staff will register through their director. On-site registration is limited to the first 400 participants. If you have questions, please contact Ben Boerkoel at boerkoelb@michigan.gov.

Statewide Field Team logoStatewide Field Team

The Statewide Field Team published two newsletters over the summer. Links are provided below.

Special Pops Unit Logo2023 Special Populations Conference Registration Announcement

Registration for the 2023 Special Populations Conference of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will open on August 1, 2023. The registration link will be posted on the Office of Educational Supports website under Current Topics.

The theme of this year’s conference is:

Recognizing Greatness

This theme honors the diverse strengths reflected in all of Michigan’s children and educators.  

2023 - 071 2023 Special Populations Conference Registration Announcement

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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).