| Michigan
ASCD Board of Directors Meeting
January 9, 2004
President Sara Shubel called the meeting to order at 9:05
a.m., and asked Past-President Nancy Davis to introduce our
guest speaker, Mr. Ed. Roeber.
Special Guest Ed Roeber, MDE – MEAP
Ed asked how many Board members had watched the January 6
MEAP teleconference. The videotape is going out, and people
handling the MEAP are encouraged to watch it. There will be
a new system to track students; an alert will be issued if
the number of pre-identified students and the number of returned
answer sheets are not a match. Collecting the data through
the ISD and sending it back to them to correct is taking approximately
five months. Ed wants to put it on-line on a secure FTP site
so schools can correct their student information directly
and more timely.
Ed sees three different kinds of issues:
• The revised grade-level content expectations aren’t
necessarily consistent across the grades;
• Material has been pulled down from upper grades to
lower grades, and people aren’t prepared for it; and
• The test drives the curriculum, not the reverse, as
it should be
Ed shared a draft of a potential MEAP design for the future.
A Core Test would be given to all students that cover essential
skills similar to what is already being tested. Students would
take the Core Test plus one of the three samples (Core Replacement,
Core Extension and/or Future Core). The design is modeled
after a State of Massachusetts test, where it is the required
test for high school graduation. When students take the test
in Massachusetts, all adults in the community have access
to the test online; it’s widely taken and debated by
all.
In this proposed design, the Core Test results would be used
for AYP purposes. The core and matrix scores would be reported
for the school and district level. It wouldn’t be used
for AYP or Merit awards, so the trend line would not be affected.
The Core Test would be held constant for a determined amount
of time, and then the Future Core would be implemented, giving
schools time to implement the new grade-level content expectations.
This doesn’t hold students or schools accountable for
things they haven’t had time to implement, teach, and
learn. Ed is sensitive to the length of time students spend
testing. In Massachusetts the Core Test is 60 items and the
extensions are 12 items.
Currently, there is a comparison being done between the new
grade-level content expectations and the existing MEAP math
items to come up with a plan to process and manage the changes
that will need to take place in curriculum alignment. We need
to balance a reasonable amount of items/testing time versus
the number of concepts, which need to be tested at each grade
level.
Carol Swingle asked if items from the Future Core would eventually
move into the Replacement Core. Ed replied that yes, people
would know in advance that the core stays for three to four
years, and universities, ISD’s and local districts would
know they need to develop a four-year plan. The MEAP would
actually reflect instruction instead of mandating it. All
of this depends on whether or not Michigan continues to have
a “custom developed” assessment system. Some legislators
still think a commercial test might be a better way to go.
Ed told them that he believes a custom-developed assessment
system is the best way to go for kindergarten through middle
school. It offers two-way alignment, versus the one-way alignment
of most norm-referenced tests.
Carol Swingle asked what might occur with a national test.
Ed replied NAEP is already the official monitor of achievement
gains in each state but it only tests fourth and eighth grades
and is very costly. State gains may be showing up greater
than NAEP gains, which will be cause for interesting discussion.
Conversations about using the ACT at the high school level
are far more serious. Ed has prepared a State Board item for
next week in opposition to the proposal by MASSP, which also
suggested elimination of the Merit award program and giving
the test only once. MEAP with constructed response costs about
42 cents per students, and ACT with constructed response would
be about 72 cents. Item analysis reports are not done with
ACT – just a single item score. ACT appears to be more
expensive and provides less data. Currently 70% of Michigan
students take the ACT. They have to take it to qualify for
Financial Aid. If the State used the MEAP instead of the ACT
for students to qualify for Financial Aid, it would save families
money. Ed believes many students drift through middle school
and high school undirected, other than thinking every one
ought to go to college. He would love to see all schools offer
Explore in eighth grade.
Mike Bugenski talked about how much information he gleaned
as a parent from the PLAN report he just received for his
child. Ed suggested the ACT test is given too late to help
prepare kids for college – it’s too late to take
the right courses and get ready for college. If students don’t
do well in math and writing, they won’t do well in college.
PLAN would be better than the ACT – it’s good
information earlier, and students still have time to make
adjustments in coursework. Ed is also a proponent for the
Merit Award program. He reminded us that the original purpose
of MEAP was to provide individual student data.
Judy Schaftenaar said this proposal, for once, appears to
be the first time in a long time where MEAP could align with
instructional goals. It’s like the developmental nature
of assessment is returning, and there could be less of an
adversarial relationship.
Ed replied that MEAP is now back in MDE, but Merit is still
in Treasury. CEPI is in Management and Budget and the Department
of Information Technology is a new department that doesn’t
have any education staff and just hired a contractor who doesn’t
know about education. Ed has been fortunate to have two meetings
with the Governor to discuss some of these issues. New issues
under NCLB include alternate assessment of special needs students.
We need to view our special education students as more capable.
He’ll also be responsible for ELL (English Language
Learners) assessment. It’s been ignored since 1994.
Ed ultimately hopes we can collect data from students and
schools as painlessly as possible, correctly, and on a reasonable
basis that moves us in the direction we need to move and at
a reasonable pace that leads to increased educational opportunities.
People need a chance to look at the data. The data being reported
on January 30 isn’t completely accurate, but Ed commits
that it will be better next time. The Governor will be appointing
a Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Office of Assessment.
Ed is committed to being here for at least three years
Mike Bugenski stated that we’re glad he’s back.
Shereen Arraf asked about providing districts the ability
to check bar codes prior to testing. Ed would like to see
more time provided for someone at the district level to have
four weeks to check it so the data is ready to be used for
students, and all students can be registered on line. He’ll
be issuing a new MEAP RFP to take care of many of these issues
and hopes not to have multiple contractors involved. He doesn’t
want to pre-identify students off a file we know in advance
is incorrect. Corrections could be made on pre-identifications
again while tests are being scored so when scores are ready
to be released they are as clean as can be.
Judith Backes stated she supports one system for pre-identification
of students, not a choice between CEPI and SRSD, MEAP and
DIT. Ed is working with Tom Watkins to have a letter of understanding
with other units of government such as CEPI to isolate MEAP
data. While the best way to pre-identify students is through
social security numbers, we can’t get there so we need
a similar system that is as coherent.
Narda Murphy pointed out the key pieces mentioned address
the technical knowledge for building secretaries and principals
to understand the importance of how/what to input. Training
is the key.
Ed also mentioned that MDE is looking for a math specialist
if any MASCD Board members know of someone who might be interested.
President Sara Shubel thanked Ed for his presentation. Nancy
Davis extended an invitation to Ed Roeber to join the Michigan
ASCD Board, and he agreed
President Shubel resumed the business meeting. Barbara Markle
asked to have several items added to the agenda.
ABC Coaches Training
Barbara Markle gave a brief update on the ABC Coaches Training.
Advertisements for coaches were placed in all the major papers.
Seventy-five coaches are needed for nine days (two days a
month) of paid training at $200 a day. Training will be followed
by five days of practice. Detroit, Flint, and Kalamazoo are
the three training sites. Once coaches are trained and pass
the assessment, they will be eligible to go on the registry
for the state. The Process Consultation Model they are being
trained in is more of a counseling role – creating capacity
in the school.
Patti McLaughlin asked how this fits with what ISD’s
do. Barbara said they’re working on aligning it. ISD’s
are encouraged to have people participate in this Coaches
training, as are the Partner Educators who are in their last
year and could enroll in the training to be on the registry.
This is a great job for recently retired people.
New Math Grade Level Content Expectations
Barbara Markle shared that the Math Standards group met this
past week, and it was a good meeting. Some big issues are
being discussed. These are more challenging grade-level content
expectations. The big thing is exactly what Ed Roeber shared;
just like when the new definition of reading was implemented,
we need higher standards but we need to plan and implement
a logical progression for assessment change. The information
Barbara handed out at the December MASCD meeting is not the
final draft. It’s being reformatted and will be done
in strands across the grades, which will be clearer. Sub-committees
are forming and any input is welcome on how we can best show
pacing and the relative importance of the various content
expectations.
Pat McNeill asked if Ed Roeber’s proposal is supported
with Core, Replacement, Extension and Future – will
those be included in the expectations? Barbara suggested starting
now – under Ed’s proposal it would mean the new
Grade Level Content Expectations won’t be held against
us immediately but will be within a certain time frame. Barbara
perceives the biggest need will be for early elementary in
math A.S.A.P. – they’ll be tested on the new expectations
the soonest. It’s going to take a lot of staff development.
Barbara sees MASCD having a real leadership role in looking
at what’s on that test and developing a CD rather than
waiting for textbooks to catch up. A retreat to focus on this
kind of instruction would be wonderful.
Mike Bugenski referenced a Free Press article that appeared
contentious and that some of these new standards don’t
seem to be playing well with parents and their perceptions
of developmental readiness of young students for some of these
expectations. Barbara said the research is very clear; math
skills in our students start falling after the fourth grade
compared to many other countries. Mike suggested that more
information needs to be shared with the public so people understand,
and Barb agreed. There is a strong public support system for
literacy that is not there for math.
Lucy Stieber spoke to the responsibility of colleges to prepare
teachers who know how to teach math. James Reese noted early
elementary teachers tend to be reading oriented and math/science
people aren’t usually drawn to the field. Math specialists
tend to teach at higher-grade levels.
Barbara Markle concurred it’s a systemic problem. She
had an opportunity to visit the Netherlands and observed the
intense training of early elementary teachers in math. They
know their math standards backwards and forwards and 29 ways
to teach it. She suggested having Bill Schmidt come and talk
about the new NSF grant that will focus on staff development
for math.
The Language Arts Committee meeting will be coming up soon.
The conference MSU is planning for March 30 will be launching
a lot of this information. The cost will be only enough to
cover lunch. Math will be presented in the morning and reading/language
arts in the afternoon. The presenters will do the big overview
and then may move to grade level views.
Michigan ASCD Membership Survey Results
Executive Director Olga Moir and James Scoffield presented
results of the MASCD Membership survey. Special thanks were
given to the Communications Committee who developed the survey
items. Results of this electronic survey are also available
on our MASCD web site. Based on the results, they have a proposed
format for an electronic newsletter that Olga would also like
to share.
133 members responded to the survey, representing almost
12%. The majority of respondents preferred electronic communication.
Members responding to the survey indicated they access the
website at least monthly. Links, What’s New, and Upcoming
Events were the sections of our website used most often. Legislative
updates, information about Best Practice and information about
educational issues were the most requested topics.
Nancy Davis suggested sending this report on to ASCD. President
Sara Shubel thanked Olga and James for compiling and presenting
the results.
Electronic Newsletter
Olga and James presented a prototype electronic newsletter.
A template with graphics and hyperlinks would appear directly
in an e-mail through our listserv. MASA currently uses a similar
template that goes out every four weeks. Lots of good links
are included. A table of contents appears front and center
so readers can go to the articles they are most interested
in. If it’s printed out, all of it is in front of them
on paper. The template also includes hyperlinks to other web
sites that may detail more information, e.g., Legislative
Updates connect to real bills. Readers can link to any organizations
on the side table. This is set to work on any printer without
cutting out the margins. Patti McLaughlin suggested a hyperlink
to MDE be included. Nancy Davis suggested a link to ASCD Smartlinks
– which we can all use to cut and paste important information
and send to principals/staff.
Judith Backes asked for printer-friendly version, or send
this to a friend option. James responded this is designed
to be printer friendly and comes as e-mail so can forward
automatically. It won’t print the background color.
Judith suggested MASCD Board information be included. Nancy
replied the Michigan ASCD head would link to our site. Mike
Bugenski asked if we’re doing a count on the number
of hits to our site. James doesn’t have access but will
check with Gratiot Isabella ISD who is hosting our site.
Olga said this is a really nice complement to our listserv
– which is getting lots of use. Only 70% of our members
are currently providing us with their e-mail, so many aren’t
getting the listserv information. Mike Bugenski suggested
we have a place to register for our listserv on the website.
He suggested we also hand out forms at all workshops. We could
ask them to include their ASCD/MASCD membership number –
perhaps James could get a list from ASCD.
It was suggested the Communications Committee discuss an
implementation plan.
Parliamentarian Patti McLaughlin asked for a motion. Jim Reese
made the motion with a second by Nancy Davis to move to this
electronic format for our MASCD newsletter. Motion carried.
Mike Bugenski asked if James could send out an email about
the March 4 NCA/MASCD Workshop. Judith Backes asked about
electronic registration, and Mike said it’s in place
including credit card options.
Highly Qualified Teachers
Karen Mlcek and Judith Backes asked President Sara Shubel
to add an item to the agenda. They have an online survey about
the needs of teachers regarding certification and NCLB. Results
indicate most teachers want to take the certification tests
and some want to do portfolios. Karen has made initial contacts
with universities about the possibility of on-line test preparation
prior to taking the test. Ferris and Grand Valley might be
willing to set up an online review system to help teachers
prepare to take the test. Why can’t MASCD coordinate/sponsor
work on test preparation and on the portfolio option, rather
than all of us trying to do it separately?
Olga replied that this is our intent for the February 5 MIEM/MASA/MASCD
Workshop on Highly Qualified Teachers. Registrations are coming
in, and we still need a few presenters. Saginaw has a State
approved portfolio plan and will be presenting it. Jackson
also has a state approved portfolio plan. Jan VanGasse suggested
we partner with the school improvement specialist through
MSDC. Olga said MASCD is being seen as a major player on these
issues. Linda VanderJagt suggested using a partnership approach
and the February 5 workshop to kick off our first electronic
newsletter as a clearinghouse for models and materials, portfolios,
etc. Karen Mlcek pointed out the importance of 24/7 electronic
access to this information for all districts. Linda VanderJagt
noted that we’re perfectly positioned to do this, being
housed at MELG, with James Scofield’s technical abilities
and Olga’s contacts. Judith Backes suggested offering
a short-term financial incentive for someone to pull all this
information together. Patti McLaughlin suggested we include
the Title I group in our efforts. Linda VanderJagt asked if
this is a small group assignment or an assignment we want
to give to a person or two, or something we ask Olga to coordinate.
Olga definitely thinks we should take the initiative and the
lead on this.
Mike Bugenski mentioned that many of the groups left out
of the Education Alliance would be a wonderful resource group
and would have complimentary goals. Narda Murphy asked if
our goal is to have more representation on our MASCD Board
for more depth to answer all the questions coming our way.
Carol Swingle asked if there is any merit to having another
type of Alliance. Nancy Davis shared that we have asked to
be represented on the Alliance, and Olga believes that will
happen after our last presentation.
President Sara Shubel brought us back to the action items
which have been put on the table regarding Highly Qualified
Teachers and our February 5 Workshop. Collaborative planning
with other groups and formalizing those efforts is another
issue. Nancy Davis suggested referring this topic to the Influence
Committee.
Judith Backes said Macomb ISD has a lot of information ready
on the topic of Highly Qualified Teachers. She is willing
to bring it up at the MSDC Board meeting in two weeks. At
the February 5 Workshops, she suggested we have a group who
is interested in working on this meet together. Mike Bugenski
talked about legislators’ frustration not knowing whom
to ask about what. Jim Reese asked about the product we’re
trying to develop: is it a Highly Qualified Guide, a portfolio
process and/or a test prep course? Judy Schaftenaar suggested
that we have something that is developmental. MASCD can find
out who has what products approved by MDE. We need to know
what pieces are out there that we can help facilitate –
connect to what’s there, and don’t necessarily
need to develop.
Patti McLaughlin asked to have a motion to pursue teacher
prep for “highly qualified,” and that we work
collaboratively with other groups to identify and collect
resources and tools to share with our members as soon as possible.
Mike Syropoulos made the motion with a second from Carol Swingle.
The motion passed.
Judith Backes offered to bring this proposal to MSCD. President
Sara Shubel will ask for a status report at the February MASCD
Board meeting
Approval of November Board Meeting Minutes
The minutes from the November meeting were corrected to include
the attendance of Pat Pogge, Kathy Griffey, Mary Ellen Bluem,
Narda Murphy, and Lucy Stieber. A motion was mde by Nancy
Davis to approve the minutes as corrected. Seconded by Karen
Mlcek. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Pat McNeill did not present a report, as the new accountant
did not have it prepared in time for the meeting. Pat and
Olga have a meeting scheduled with her, and there will be
a full report in February.
Executive Director’s Report
Olga Moir reported on the presentation MASCD was asked to
do for the Education Alliance regarding the high school MEAP
versus the ACT. Mary Alice Galloway, Ed Roeber and Jeremy
Hughes were in attendance. Olga and Dan Hunsberger, Assessment
Coordinator for Forest Hills Public Schools, presented. They
took the focus off ACT and talked about making a change to
any test and what the assessment issues would be. Olga felt
the presentation went very well. The members of the Education
Alliance listened, asked questions, and thanked Olga for the
information. Judy Schaftenaar said her boss at Middle Cities
mentioned how pleased they were with MASCD’s presentation.
President Sara Shubel asked members to take a working lunch
and reorganize into Committees.
Committee Reports
Professional Development Committee – Lucy Stieber
• Wrote a new goal statement for their group
• Discussed plans for a Curriculum Leader boot camp,
a one-day workshop on June 22 (the day before the Board Retreat),
plus a yearlong mentorship project. They are to focus on a
process not just a one-day event in order to build relationships
and ongoing communication. The groups that show up could generate
future workshops. The committee is looking for a new title
besides boot camp. Nancy Davis suggested Curriculum Leadership
Cliff Notes/Chapter I.
Communications Committee – Carol Swingle
• New electronic newsletter out the first of the month
• All information due to James by 20th of the month
• Regular items could include:
o Legislative Update – Olga
o President’s Message – Sara
o Student Chapter Information – Tim
o MDE Update – Paul, Mary Alice, Yvonne, Ed
o Fed. Programs – Harmon
o Hot Topics – All
o Jobs – link to website
o Announcements/links –anyone
Olga suggested it go out the second week of the month, as
MASA Fortnight is sent out the first of month and James has
to focus on that.
• Hot Topics – listserv to all Board members –
what are the hot topics this month and any that emerge with
comments and resources we could use.
Carol also suggested we could do an “Ask the Experts”
corner. Jan Van Gasse suggested we include Board Briefs –
a synopsis of minutes – such as we did in the postcard
briefs. Nancy Davis suggested we include Recommended Reads.
Influence Committee – Charlotte Koger
• Looked at where MASCD is with regard to Influence
efforts on the Affiliate Development Continuum
• Money from our ASCD Influence grant that must be spent
by June.
• Agreed to tie into Hot Topics – in Newsletter
and “Highly Qualified” initiative we approved
earlier. We could pay the registration of anyone willing to
go in and script the breakout sessions or video and audiotape
the conference on February 4 so this could be shared with
those who can’t attend. Also, do something similar for
the March 30 Conference at MSU.
• When Olga presented to the Education. Alliance on
MEAP, we could spend grant funds to support the two days she
spent doing this.
Judith Backes suggested we pay a small stipend to retirees
or others who have time to help with some of these projects.
Judy Schaftenaar suggested an ASCD book, with a MASCD inscription.
It was suggested we underwrite Olga’s trip to the UP
to present to superintendent’s and curriculum directors.
It might help increase our membership.
Linda VanderJagt suggested we consider a stipend for our
UP reps out of the Influence Grant if that is allowable. Pat
McNeill said this is a policy decision we need to look at.
What are the implications for other members who travel a long
distance? What about reimbursement for retirees? Carol Swingle
talked about other organizations that offer any Board member
the opportunity to apply for a stipend up to a certain amount.
We need to examine the fiscal implications long range. It
takes 7 ½ hours to get to Lansing from the UP. Pat
McNeill suggested we refer this to the Executive Committee
for further study. Judith Backes also suggested there ought
to be guidelines/policy for expectations of the Executive
Director and/or the MASCD President regarding the cost of
travel and preparations to present with all the requests that
are beginning to come in. The Influence Committee will put
together a draft budget to ensure we expend that money from
the grant by June 30.
President’s Report
President Sara Shubel shared that James Scoffield appreciated
his dinner certificate and movie/popcorn passes as our holiday
thank you from the Board. ASCD coming up soon; Sara asked
which Board members would be attending. ASCD is doing a book
bash, and you have to bring a book in order to get into the
reception. Sara is heading up the Michigan contingent and
is willing to take down any books we can get from Board members.
If anyone wants to donate a book, Sara asked that they bring
the books to the February meeting.
Pat McNeill suggested spending $100 from our Influence Grant
to purchase books on Michigan to take to ASCD. A motion by
Nancy Davis, and seconded by Mike Syropoulos, to authorize
Sara to spend up to $100 on children’s books on Michigan
to take to ASCD from MASCD. Motion carried.
Sara mentioned that in addition to adding Ed Roeber to our
MASCD Board, Yvonne Camal Canul and Herman Blekman, Executive
Director of Michigan Association of State and Federal Program
Specialists, have also been invited and have agreed.
Past President’s Report
Nancy Davis talked about the Administrative Certification
Requirements and asked what other districts are doing. Narda
Murphy and Linda VanderJagt both talked about the classes
their districts had organized through CMU to coincide with
administrative meetings. Nancy asked Olga to be sure that
State Board CEU’s are available for upcoming workshops.
Administrators must report what they’ve been doing with
CEU’s or Credit on the REP report this June.
Nancy asked how many districts are requiring high school
students to take the MEAP for graduation. She will put this
question out on the listserv, as it is information that will
be helpful to many of us.
Stu Rankin at U of M, is offering the first practicum for
curriculum directors in the county, and he’s giving
MASCD credit all over for helping him get curriculum directors
to participate.
Nancy complimented Oakland Schools for the video on AYP and
Educations YES and told Board members it was worth looking
at. Judith Backes said she had prepared one for her ISD that
is a ten-minute conversation starter and is great for staff
or PTO’s. Wayne RESA has one available for a small fee.
The PowerPoint by Ernie Bauer, which is available on the MASCD
website, is also very helpful.
Nancy shared a copy of the latest edition of LEADING CHANGE,
published by Eaton ISD on behalf of MDE. It is a very helpful
resource and can be viewed online at the MDE website.
Executive Director’s Report
Olga reported that our NCLB workshops continue. The next one
is scheduled for February 3 at Macomb ISD. Judy Schaftenaar
is going to cover it. February 12 is at Gaylord, and Karen
Mlcek will try to cover it. February 24 is at Winding Brook,
and we need someone to cover it. One is planned at the UP
that Jan and Carol will cover in March. Saginaw is planned
but no date. James will email Board members to try and find
a volunteer for the February 24.
Olga is asking Governor Granholm to do the kickoff speech
for the February 5 Highly Qualified Teachers Workshop, if
she is available. The registration fee for the workshop is
$100. Information went out on listserv on our website and
people can also register through MIEM.
Shareen Arrf will be putting together information on sub-populations
- a one-day presentation, which Olga will be putting out on
listserv. Shareen will bring an outline of her presentation
to our Board meeting next month.
Olga is co-chairing the Influence for the Leadership Council
for ASCD. Committee reaction was passionate about being pro-active
instead of reactive to legislation. There is a cry for collective
action.
Liaison Reports
Middle Cities – Judy Schaftenaar said they are polling
membership on ACT versus MEAP. The new standards are also
of great concern to middle cities members. Olga expressed
special thanks to Judy for helping prepare information for
the Education Alliance presentation.
NCA – Mike Bugenski noted that four MASCD Board members
are now certified NCA Ambassadors. It was a rigorous training!
It’s very generic and totally supports school improvement.
The Assessment Conference is half full, and more information
is available on both the NCA and the MASCD web site.
Mike handed out an article from Kappan – this month’s
issue - food for thought.
17 lawsuits have been filed over NCLB left behind.
Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda VanderJagt
Secretary
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