| Michigan
ASCD Board of Directors Meeting
October 29, 2004
Attendence:
President Ilene MacDonald called the October 29, 2004 meeting
of the Michigan ASCD Board of Directors to order at 9:10 a.m.
Issues Session: Internet 2
Special Guest: Scott Henry, Information Technology
Director, St. Clair County RESA
Scott spoke on what Internet2 is, how to get it, and what
they have been able to do using advanced networking. Internet2
is the nation’s high-speed research and education network.
It is owned and managed by over 200 universities. K-12 can
join via the SEGP Program. Resources in Michigan are available
through the Merit Network. Merit’s primary members are
universities; we are affiliates. If an organization is a Merit
Network member, there is no additional charge to have Internet
2; however, you may need to buy more bandwidth to take advantage
of it. Internet2 is a not-for-profit organization housed in
Ann Arbor. They will be moving into the same building with
Merit in December. The goals are to:
• Enable a new generation of applications
• Re-create leading edge R&E network capability
• Transfer technology and experience to the global production
Internet
In 2005, there will be almost 350 million people connected
to the Internet. The descriptors of yesterday’s Internet
were:
• Thousands of users
• Remote login, file transfer
• Interconnect mainframe computers
• Applications capitalize on underlying technology
Today’s Internet is characterized by:
• Millions of users
• Web, email, low-quality audio and video
• Interconnect personal computers and servers
• Applications adapt to underlying technology
Tomorrow’s Internet will be characterized by:
• Billions of users and devices
• Convergence of today’s applications with multimedia
(telephony, video-conference, HDTV)
• Interconnect personal computers, servers, and embedded
computers
• New technologies enable unanticipated applications
(and create new challenges)
Scott stated that K-12 needs to be involved in tomorrow’s
Internet (Internet2). We don’t want it to happen to
us like it did before. The resources can change the way we
teach. This is an exciting, but difficult time. We need to
meet in the middle and develop projects that support curriculum.
We can help shape Internet2 so that it means something to
the K-12 community. Scott stated that we need Internet2 because
Internet was not designed for millions of users, it is very
congested, and we need multimedia and real time interaction.
Only the Internet can accommodate explosive growth and enable
convergence of information work, mass media, and human collaboration.
Internet2 “Land Speed Record” takes 30 seconds
to download versus 171 hours with a 56K Modem, 74 hours with
ISDN, 25 hours with DSL/Cable, and 6.4 hours with T1. St.
Clair County is using Internet2 with all elementary, middle,
and high school buildings in its 7 districts, which accounts
for 29,000 students. St. Clair County has 60 endpoints for
videoconferencing, which are IP based. They were configured
for Internet2 in December 2001. They had an Internet2-like
Connection of January 7, 2002, which featured a scanning electron
microscope. Other projects have included: MPEG-2 Videoconference
to Maine (NHS students connected to Key Club students in Maine),
H.323 Videoconferences (network-based videoconferencing),
Interactive Jazz Concert (http://www.sccresa.org/dlc2/jazz.html),
Black Sea Adventure (exploring the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean),
Texas Connects (teleconference about Pearl Harbor), “brand
name programs” (Read Across America, Jason and Virtual
Argonauts), TVByGirls, Ray Bradbury Sit-in, Video Production
Show and Tell, Meteorologist for a Day, Lewis and Clark newscast,
and Megaconference Jr. (http://megaconferencejr.cciu.org)
On October 13, there was a strategy session. Participants
included Statewide REMC Directors and early adopters. This
session needs to be done again and again with different groups.
The session is archived on REMC-StreamNet. They are posting
at http://k20.internet2.edu
a database to find out what’s available on Internet2
and to post what they’re interested in. This site will
match those that have an idea and those that have a project
that’s looking for participants. They need help in making
this resource more useful. The October 13 meeting outcomes
were as follows:
• Determine structures for statewide collaboration –
identify innovative stakeholders, provide regular videoconferences
and other collaboration, and provide dedicated support
• Participating in projects – projects aligned
with MCF/GLCEs, provide professional development, demonstrate
the value of Internet2
The current priorities are to conduct an awareness campaign,
be a mature resource clearinghouse, audit/inventory who and
what is out there, and to develop a Michigan-based project.
We are to e-mail Scott at sbryan@sccresa.org
if we want to help. (Scott sent his PowerPoint to Board members
following his presentation.)
Comments and Questions from Board Members
Sara Shubel asked why all districts aren’t using Internet2.
Scott responded that this is possibly because you have to
be a member of Merit. Carol Swingle wondered if it was a capacity
issue. Karen Hart asked if you could access everything. The
end user doesn’t do anything special; all is done behind
the scenes by Merit. The video capability is broadcast quality.
Mary Ellen Bluem asked what the possibility was that in the
future Merit would not be the sole provider. Scott didn’t
think that was likely. The Merit membership fee is $75,000.
Sam LoPresto asked how MICTA played into this. MICTA has endorsed
Internet2, but is not a service provider. They do support
the Merit Network as an option. Karen Mlcek asked how the
speed would keep up to the level it is now. It will never
oversubscribe to the Abilene backbone. The backbone is always
being reengineered and redesigned so that it won’t be
oversubscribed.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Karen Hart, seconded by Mary Ellen Bluem, to approve
the September 24, 2004 Meeting Minutes. Several spelling corrections
were made, as were some budgetary items. The motion to approve
the minutes as corrected carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Pat McNeill presented the 2004-05 Revised Budget. Revenue
for ASCD Book Sales has been increased from $2,640 to $10,000
because we have received almost $10,000 as of now. Board of
Directors expenses have been increased by $610. Capital Expense
has been increased by $2,000 for the purchase of a computer
and ASCD Book Sales expenses have been increased by $4,000.
Miscellaneous expenses have been increased by $750. The “Prior
Year Expenses Paid in Current Year” in the 2004-05 Revised
Budget represent our Executive Director’s salary. Motion
by Linda VanderJagt, seconded by Mary Ellen Bluem, to accept
the amended budget. Motion carried.
Pat also presented the Treasurer’s Report, which reflects
revenue and expenses as of 9/30/04. Motion by Carol Swingle,
seconded by Shereen Arraf, to accept the Treasurer’s
Report. Motion carried.
President’s Report
Ilene MacDonald reported that the affiliate meeting in Chicago
on October 22 and 23 was a wonderful opportunity. Our affiliate
was the host. We learned much and were able to identify areas
where we are excelling and also areas that we need to work
on, such as data and membership. The rest of Ilene’s
report is highlighted under “Outline/Determination of
Michigan ASCD Immediate and Long Term Priorities/Activities”
below.
Past-President’s Report
Sara Shubel had to leave the Board meeting for a meeting on
the Report Card Performance Indicators, so there was no Past-President’s
Report.
Executive Director’s Report
Olga Moir highlighted her written report. There were over
200 at the first Deb Wahlstrom workshop in September. Another
workshop has been scheduled with Deb for March 8 and 9, 2005.
The Michigan Learnport Workshop is a video program with Deb
Wahlstrom. It is a grant that we wrote with her. There is
free access through Learnport. We can decide who can get on
now and watch as it progresses. This is not a formal endorsement
of MI Tracker.
Olga reported on the Michigan Virtual High School Advisory
Meeting. Michigan Virtual High School is downsizing and is
going to be primarily K-12. They have a State grant. Courses
will be sold and also available through Learnport.
Olga attended the MAISA Programs and Services Committee.
ISDs are working with the State Department to define their
role and to determine what they are responsible for. This
would be a voluntary accountability program. There might be
a short-term grant available for high schools. Olga highlighted
our position paper. Bill Miller told about a project that
involves high schools tracking students after graduation.
Graduates have said that high schools didn’t have high
enough expectations, that students didn’t take the right
courses, and that they didn’t feel that teachers cared
about them as people. There are four different groups around
the state working on the definition of what a good high school
is. Many high schools still have general courses.
The Social Studies Task Force has had 3 meetings, which Olga
and Judy Bachus have attended. The report is on our listserv.
The recommendation is that the task force continues.
Olga is on the NEA Foundation Steering Committee. The MEA
is trying to define what quality professional development
is in our state.
Proposal 1 has been an overwhelming concern in this building
for the last 2-3 weeks. Governor Granholm is touting against
Proposal 1. It is a bit controversial and it was late when
the educational community realized that they receive lots
of money from the lottery.
Olga discussed a request we had received from Galileo. Patti
McLaughlin and Shereen Arraf spoke about this group. They
are from Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties and are a leadership
development group for teacher leaders within the building.
Some administrators are also involved. The project is a yearlong
process and includes study topics, book studies, and a wealth
of rich speakers. All group members are responsible for a
project at the end of the year. Opportunities are provided
for teachers to do action research. They would like to expand
and wanted a letter of endorsement to support the project’s
goals and to seek additional funding. Shereen stated that
this is a well-planned, well-developed project. Motion by
Karen Mlcek, seconded by Jim Reese, to provide a letter of
support stating that we endorse what they are doing for grant
purposes. Motion carried.
Olga attended a meeting yesterday of the Assessment Group.
They are MEAP Coordinators in buildings and ISDs. They are
interested in affiliating with us. This would be an asset.
They are also interested in data management systems and Olga
stated that we were having a conference on this. Dave Buell
asked what their charter was. This group appears to be a group
of people who are focused. ASCD has such interest groups.
Olga will attend their next meeting and will invite them to
come to our meetings.
We discussed the Michigan ASCD Reception at the ASCD Conference.
Linda VanderJagt suggested that we survey our membership on
the listserv to determine how many will be attending the conference.
Then we can make a more informed decision in terms of whether
or not we want to spend funds for a Michigan ASCD Reception.
The Report Card Indicators Review Committee is a small group
that is reporting out today. Sara Shubel went to this meeting
to represent us.
The Public Education Task Force still survives from the voucher
vote we had in the state a few years ago. They are collecting
data on charter schools and will present it to the State Board
of Education. The data is discouraging, but revealing. The
main thing is that there isn’t adequate oversight.
Olga reported that we need to organize the Data Management
Workshop. Carolyn Madden is leaving MASA in January and this
workshop needs to be in place before she leaves. We will also
deal with the Sub-Groups Workshop today.
Olga asked if it was still worth pursuing the idea of a GLCE
Workshop for Central Office administrators. Linda VanderJagt
suggested that we discuss this when the Professional Development
Committee meets later today.
Olga will know soon what the cost would be in terms of our
organization having the capability for online registration
for workshops using credit cards.
Liaison Reports
Michigan Education Association – Carolyn Logan reported
that her primary function is in the Professional Development/Human
Rights Unit of MEA. MEA’s instructional and professional
development conference will be held in Dearborn on December
2, 3, and 4. Carolyn is adapting the Wisconsin State Model
for certifying all educational support personnel. This is
in response to the NCLB requirement that instructional paraprofessionals
be highly qualified. The main purpose will be to keep people
employed. Some of the resources will be online and Carolyn
will be marketing the program around the state.
Outline/Determination of Michigan ASCD Immediate
and Long Term Priorities/Activities
Ilene distributed various ASCD documents and we discussed
them. There are 47 ASCD student chapter and 3 of them are
in Michigan. Ilene stated that she felt we needed to support
the student chapters more and look to them as our future members.
Linda VanderJagt stated that the president of student chapters
in other states serves on the Board.
Ilene discussed ASCD Membership Data. The average age of
an ASCD member is 51. 27% of members are principals, which
is interesting to look at when you consider the job titles
of our Board members. 53% of ASCD members represent the elementary
level. Ilene talked about distance learning. We could recruit
membership via distance learning and also conduct our Board
meetings via this technology.
Ilene discussed the Affiliate Data Profile-Findings. Michigan
has the largest surplus for FY04. Texas has the largest operating
budget. Dave Buell stated that it would be a good idea to
include our specific
data in relationship to the Affiliate Data Profile. The Affiliate
Data Profile-Findings has questions pertaining to Board members,
including the percentage that are emerging leaders (under
45), the percentage from rural or urban areas, and the ethnic
diversity in percentages. Electronic communication was highlighted.
Olga Moir stated that the Affiliate Data Profile-Findings
are from the annual report that all affiliates do. Ilene stated
that she wanted us to look through the findings and see how
they influence our committee work.
Ilene presented the Affiliate Data Profile-Trends Summary.
The Affiliate Developmental Continuum (ADC) was used by over
65% of affiliates at meetings to aid in organizational planning.
Many affiliates saw the ADC as a useful tool in goal and priority
setting, identifying areas of affiliate growth, and providing
perspective to the affiliate on where they are going and how
they can get there. In terms of Influence/Policy, Michigan
was highlighted.
Dave Buell reported on the Membership File
and distributed a handout. Regions were known for 894 members
and unknown for 211 members. We need to check the regions.
Currently the membership file information is minimal. We need
to think about what the data is that is important. First,
we need to go through the verification process and do a Michigan
profile. We should ask members to verify and update their
information. There are many ways we could do this. Ilene MacDonald
suggested we send a postcard to members. Phase I will be the
verification process and Phase II will be reaching out to
the membership. Linda VanderJagt said that we needed to look
at those members whose regions are unknown and claim them
if they are in our region. This will be discussed in committee
work today. Olga Moir stated that most members in our state
are ISD, Central Office, or building administrators. In other
states, members are primarily teachers. Pat MacNeill suggested
that other states might not have organizations like MRA, MCSS,
etc. for teachers. We were asked to fill in our Board Profile
sheet.
Ilene MacDonald discussed the handout on “Diverse
Active Membership – Membership Momentum.”
These are strategies that were identified by affiliate leaders
at regional meetings. Personal contact is best; for example,
each person goes out and recruits a certain number of members
within a specified time. This suggestion should be discussed
in the Membership Committee meeting this afternoon. Linda
VanderJagt stated that one state had a goal to have a member
from each school district in the state. Other strategies included
Board members calling people that hadn’t renewed their
memberships at a Board meeting. Each Board member used their
cell phone and it only took 20 minutes. Personal contact was
made. We should always have membership forms available.
Ilene discussed ASCD Author’s Forum.
This would be a project of the Professional Development Committee.
We haven’t taken advantage of this service in the last
few years. An affiliate can select an author and bring him/her
in at no cost, except for travel expenses. Ilene highlighted
authors Judith Lessow-Hurley (Meeting the Needs of Second
Language Learners: An Educator’s Guide) and Daniel Heller
(Teachers Wanted: Attracting and Retaining Good Teachers).
Ilene discussed ASCD Adopted Positions 2004
and highlighted the talking points on “High-Stakes Testing”
and “The Achievement Gap” positions.
The ASCD Action Center was discussed. We
could provide a link on our website. A member can put in their
zip code and it pulls up all of their representatives. There
is a link to elected officials. When there are political issues,
the Action Center makes it easy. Linda VanderJagt suggested
that the Influence Committee explore this site. Olga Moir
stated that the Action Center also will send you information
on how representatives voted on issues. It was suggested that
we, as a state, replicate the National Day on the Hill. We
want to be the contact for legislators in terms of being the
curriculum experts. The Influence Committee should also discuss
a Day on the Hill.
Ilene discussed the ASCD Updates. ASCD has
a newly adopted mission statement (effective January 2005).
There are 16,000 ASCD members worldwide. The ASCD vision and
goals have also been changed. Linda VanderJagt stated that
assessment might be implied in the revised vision statement,
but Michigan brought this to ASCD’s attention through
the regional meeting. ASCD’s goals will be rearranged
in terms of order and will read as follows:
1. ASCD will continuously improve its operational and fiduciary
effectiveness to deliver value to its constituents.
2. ASCD will advocate policies and practices that positively
influence learning, teaching, and leadership in education.
3. ASCD will create research-based programs, products, and
services that will lead educators to use best practices in
learning, teaching, and leadership.
4. ASCD will build a more engaged and diverse community to
improve learning and teaching for each student.
There are also changes to the ASCD Constitution. Ilene received
a letter about the Review Council being eliminated. It was
an ombudsman, comprised of 5 members, that didn’t report
to the Board. It served as an impartial group looking at problems
to see if it could resolve them. The review process will now
be built into the Board. Olga Moir stated that the role of
the Review Council was to be an impartial group to monitor
the progress of ASCD. Linda VanderJagt stated that a corollary
for us is that we have a Past-Presidents’ Review Committee
in our Constitution. We were asked how we feel about this.
Should we be related or not related to ASCD on this issue?
Are there implications for us? Jim Perry and Rita Foote fill
this role now, but it is a bit informal. The responsibilities
have sort of drifted into the Finance Committee. Dave Buell
stated that he thinks that the Past-Presidents’ Review
Committee is very valuable. This organizational knowledge
is critical for us; however, it might be too informal. Karen
Mlcek suggested that we might add this report to our agenda
in terms of reflection on how we are doing. Ilene MacDonald
said that she wanted us to focus on how changes in the ASCD
Constitution impacted us as an affiliate. There are more than
100,000 subscribers to ASCD SmartBrief. ASCD is considering
adopting two new positions for the Association – one
on acknowledging the vital link between health and learning
and one on the importance of meeting the needs of the whole
child. ASCD has also expanded their voter registration initiative.
Ilene suggested that the Influence Committee should propose
a position on whether Michigan ASCD should come up with stands
on various issues. We discussed ASCD’s Leadership Council.
We have three representatives (Olga Moir, Ilene MacDonald,
Sara Shubel). Presently, the President, Past-President, and
Executive Director serve on the Leadership Council. ASCD is
proposing that Leadership Council members serve three-year
terms. Fourteen affiliates have longer terms. Ilene MacDonald
strongly suggested that we consider longer terms. Linda VanderJagt
stated that we might look at the Leadership Council position
differently. Representatives could be someone else who is
willing to serve for three years. This will all work well
because we are changing our Constitution and this will influence
how we reorganize. Dave Buell asked how we were going to do
this. Linda VanderJagt stated that we need input from everyone
on the Board if we are going to make changes and that it is
not a quick process. Carol Swingle asked what the context
was. She stated that she wanted changes because of need, not
because of what ASCD is doing. The changes need to be in conjunction
with where we see ourselves going as an organization.
Ilene MacDonald distributed the Michigan ASCD Position
Paper: Are the Michigan high school standards strong
enough and rigorous enough to lead to a better economy and
stronger workforce?
Topics for this afternoon’s committee meetings include
the following:
Membership/Communication – Data profiling, recruitment
Professional Development – Author’s Forum
Influence – Position paper
Olga Moir stated that the Board notebooks are very nice and
that we should bring them to each meeting.
For the December 3 meeting, we are reminded to read the first
agreement of The Four Agreements.
Olga Moir reported that Rita Foote was quite ill. Olga will
send a card from the organization. Rita is still in Traverse
City and was unable to travel to Florida. A motion was made
by Carol Swingle, seconded by Patti McLaughlin, to send flowers
from Michigan ASCD. Motion carried.
Ilene MacDonald reminded us to collect information from other
Michigan educational organizations and stated that one day
of James Scofield’s time is not sufficient for our organization.
Lunch
We enjoyed lunch from 12:00 noon until 12:35 p.m.
Committee Meetings
The Influence, Professional Development, and Membership/Communication
Committees met from 12:35 until 1:30 p.m.
Committee Reports
Influence Committee
Members Present: Pat McNeill, Jim Reese, Patti McLaughlin,
Jan Van Gasse
Our charge was to look through the ASCD annual report to see
how in influences our work, to look at the ASCD adopted positions,
to explore the ASCD Action Center, and to discuss having a
State Legislative Day. We spent our time looking at the ASCD
Action Center. It has tremendous potential. We would like
a link to it on our website, with an explanation of what it
has to offer. James Scofield could do this now and the explanation
could be added later. Information about the ASCD Action Center
should go out on the listserv. We will discuss the annual
report, adopted positions, and State Legislative Day at our
December meeting.
Communications/Membership Committee
Members Present: Dave Buell, Karen Hart, Mary Ellen Bluem,
Linda VanderJagt
The membership directory was discussed. We want to have an
accurate up-to-date membership directory. Olga Moir brought
in James Scofield. We asked him how to grow Phase I and Phase
II. We need to answer why we want a membership directory.
We need to know what we want to use the data for. Is it for
recruitment, training, networking, communication? The membership
directory should be a live interactive tool. In terms of trying
to grow membership, the question of “Why am I a member
of Michigan ASCD?” was posed. This can be answered for
ASCD, but not for Michigan ASCD. We need to answer that question
to see what the needs of the membership are. Then, we will
know what data we need to collect. People need to know why
membership in Michigan ASCD is value-added. What is it that
we do that is better than anyone else? If we are state-class,
then membership will grow. What is it, as a curriculum director,
that pains you the most? Where do you need the most help?
There are too many websites and so much going on that it’s
difficult to keep track of things. What is a “wow”
for curriculum directors? We want to be the place so that
people know we are how to be on top of things. ASCD is also
known for very good and focused professional development.
What would that look like for us? Members need practical help.
Memberships should be wrapped around the professional development
opportunities. We could feature experts on the website so
that members could connect with these experts on differentiation,
etc. It is important for us to know what people think of when
they hear Michigan ASCD. We might have a gift for new members.
The gift would be something useful and tangible, such as talking
points or a PowerPoint on hot issues. Olga Moir stated that
we did send out calendars for members’ computers. One
of our most valuable assets is Olga Moir’s presence
in this building. Linda VanderJagt wondered how we could leverage
that asset. An example might be to get highlights of the State
Board meetings to members because Olga attends. We could be
a clearinghouse. Dave Buell stated that we needed to think
about what needs to be updated and made more accurate in terms
of information on our membership. We need to figure out what
to do with this information. James Scofield is currently just
using a simple Access database. Additional things would require
more sophisticated software, such as using a credit card or
updating member information on the website. James Scofield
discussed the listserv. Do we want to use it in a different
way? He is communicating regularly with the membership, but
currently it is a one-way blast to them. If we could establish
small groups, such as regional subgroups or special interest
subgroups, he could communicate with them right now using
what is available to us. Dave Buell stated that we need concrete
steps, but need to design back after figuring out where it
is we want to head. Linda VanderJagt stated that she would
ask ASCD if they help support affiliates with data management
software. Ilene MacDonald wondered if we wanted to hire someone
to do this because of our healthy fund balance. Ilene made
a motion to spend $1000 to see what’s out there in terms
of databases. There was no second to the motion. James Scofield
stated that he would sort out the database before the next
Board meeting. Olga Moir stated that she would have credit
card information by the next meeting. Dave Buell stated that
we still need to go back to the big picture and key question.
It depends on what we want to get out of a data management
system. James Scofield will work with Olga Moir and will price
out options. He will also clean up the regional information.
James will be on the agenda for the December meeting.
Professional Development
Members Present: Olga Moir, Shereen Arraf, Shawn Lewi-Lakin,
Ilene MacDonald
Deb Wahlstrom will do a repeat workshop on March 8 and 9.
In conjunction with MASA, we will host a workshop the week
of January 10 entitled “Wheel of Data.” We will
bring in 5 data management systems. Examples might be: Plato,
MI Tracker, Test Wiz, Quality School Portfolio (QSP). Registration
will be from 8:00-8:30. A keynote, from 8:30-8:50, will discuss
what to look for in data management systems. Vendors would
have a requisite set of criteria. There would be 4 sessions
of breakouts, which would feature a half-hour presentation
by a vendor and 10 minutes for questions and answers. The
workshop would conclude at 12:50. The workshop will be at
Washtenaw ISD. Vendors would be asked to contribute. The cost
for members would be about $30. We will be sharing profits
with MASA. Dave Buell suggested that it would be a good idea
to put all of the vendors together. It was suggested that
there possibly be a lunch with a panel of the vendors. The
vendors might also want to bring in a local school district
that is using their product. Registrants will receive a notebook
with copies of the PowerPoints. Districts will be encouraged
to bring teams of people. A postcard about this conference
will go out right away.
A workshop on subgroups for the week of April 25 was suggested.
MEAP is promising the data online 5 weeks after the close
of the testing window (February 11). The workshop will feature
effective approaches, data management, and assessment options.
We might break up the conference according to subgroups. Since
the bar to make adequate yearly progress is going up this
year, there might be heightened awareness for this conference.
The committee will explore the possibility of offering this
conference interactively to the Upper Peninsula. Linda VanderJagt
stated that she is already worried about the e-mail from MDE
that stated that the number for subgroups is anything more
than 30 when looking across grade level groups. The committee
needs to work more on the April 25 conference at the December
Board meeting, such as the call for presenters. Dave Buell
also suggested that this conference look at successful practices.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Van Gasse
Secretary
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