November 2023 MICIP Continuous Communication

Michigan Department of Education sent this bulletin at 11/02/2023 03:00 PM EDT
MICIP Continuous Communication

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In this issue of MICIP Continuous Communication

This issue of MICIP Continuous Communication continues our theme of Living into Continuous Improvement by looking at what it means to engage in continuous improvement work, shares upcoming professional learning opportunities, a link to the latest Statewide Field Team Newsletter, and much more!

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know the team from SAS-EVAAS has been making connections between the legislatively funded product that they provide to schools and the MICIP process?

 MASA published this resource to showcase the connections: Using EVAAS to Assist with MICIP.

Living into CILiving Into Continuous Improvement

At the September meeting of the Michigan Continuous Improvement Facilitators Network (MCIFN), attendees were asked to answer the question:

What does it look and sound like to live into continuous improvement?

As part of our Living Into Continuous Improvement theme for this year, we will be sharing these responses in Continuous Communication throughout this academic year.

Some of the responses included the following:

  • Being intentional about monitoring progress.
  • Using data to drive decision-making.
  • Make sure you have systems and practices in place in order to gauge where we are at in the process.
  • Identifying strategies and activities that get them to the end objective.
  • Continuous Improvement is TEAMWORK; can’t do it working in silos.

23 conference logoContinuous Improvement Conference Recap

The 2023 MDE Continuous Improvement Conference is again history, and, overall, attendees gave it high marks for reaching one of its primary goals of returning to a focus on basic continuous improvement. 

Keynote speaker Kurt Russell, the 2022 National Teacher of the Year, received especially high marks for his presentation, A Snapshot of Success. Attendees highlighted the following:

  • Make sure every student is valued and feels seen, heard, and included.
  • Every student is brilliant; we need to find the way to allow them to show it.
  • Don’t be afraid to have the difficult conversations with both adults and students.
  • Relationships are the heart of what educators do.
  • Continuous improvement means seeing students as humans and teaching in ways that allow them to shine.
  • Confront the uncomfortable; this is not a one-time effort but a long-term commitment.
  • Students need to see themselves in the learning.
  • Humanize every student and become invested in their success.
  • Continuous improvement should happen at all levels of the educational cascade, including the classroom.
  • Growth happens when we are uncomfortable. We have to be brave enough to do what is right and what is best for all kids.

Many of the breakout sessions also received high marks for focusing on practical ideas that could immediately implemented.

In keeping with the theme, participants also offered suggestions for improvement, including a larger venue with larger meeting rooms as well as some changes in scheduling. If you attended the conference and have not yet submitted your evaluation, please do so soon since planning will shortly get underway for next year’s event.

PL logoMICIP Professional Learning: Implement, Monitor, Adjust Webinars

As part of the MICIP theme of Living Into Continuous Improvement, MDE is offering several webinar opportunities around Implement, Monitor, and Adjust which form the essence of the theme.

The webinars are divided into two opportunities for schools/districts identified for CSI and those who support them and two opportunities for all schools/districts and those who support them. The schedule is as follows:

Schools/Districts identified for CSI and those who support them.

  • Thursday, November 9, 10:00 – 11:00 am and 1:00 – 2:00 pm (note change in time from the October Continuous Communication due to the Veteran’s Day holiday).

All Schools/Districts and those who support them.

  • Monday, November 13, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
  • Tuesday, November 14, 10:00 – 11:00 am

The content for all webinars will be essentially the same, with a bit of additional information provided for schools/districts identified for CSI on meeting the ESSA requirements.

Entities only need to attend one of the webinars. Connection information is as follows: 

User Group imageMICIP User Group and Collaboration Series

November also marks the beginning of our alternating schedule of the MICIP User Group and MICIP Collaboration Series.

The User Group will meet from 9:00 – 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 15 to consider what it means to Live Into Continuous Improvement. 

The purpose of the User Group conversation is to create a statewide community of shared learning where participants can learn with and from each other through sharing ideas and resources in small groups. Registration is not necessary for the User Group, with participation being on a drop-in basis at:

The Collaboration Series will resume on January 17 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. Registration information for the Collaboration Series is now available.

SWFT LogoStatewide Field Team Newsletter

Here’s the link to the Statewide Field Team October Newsletter - New Grant Cycle, New Opportunities!

Please share Continuous Communication

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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).