Social Studies Grade Level Content Expectations
The existing State Department grade level social studies instructional guides is being used as a resource in developing Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs) for social studies. Currently in draft form, these GLCEs are being sent to the State Social Studies Task Force (Michigan ASCD is represented) for review and further input (March deadline). The GLCEs for Social Studies will then be available or further field review and input in April on the Michigan Department of Education web site. Michigan ASCD will inform its membership of the exact date in April when they are available for review and comment.

High School Redesign Team
The State Board of Education’s High School Redesign Team is currently defining how their work and the recommendations of the Lt. Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth (web site) fit together. They see common ground around three goals that pertain to high school education:

The State Department has secured funding for a consultant position to lead the department’s efforts in high school redesign and to oversee the implementation of the Lt. Governor’s Higher Education and Economic Growth recommendations that pertain to high school. They have also secured the services of a U.S. Department of Education Presidential Scholar intern who will also help with the high school redesign effort.

The High School Redesign Team has also established action committees which will coordinate a series of short-term and long-term objectives for statewide commitment and success in redesign activities.

School Improvement Framework
The State Department has developed a School Improvement Framework in an effort to provide schools with a coherent, comprehensive and researched based tool for school improvement. They are currently designing a plan for the introduction and distribution of the Framework to Michigan Educators.

Weighting of School Improvement Performance Indicators
The State Board approved that, in the school report cards to be issued in 2005, the inclusion of the grade for the School Performance Indicators may not serve to increase a school’s composite grade by more than one grade category.

State Data Collection
In a discussion of High Priority Schools, the question of collecting and comparing student data over time came up. The State Department of Education indicated that the State, at this time, did not have the data warehouse needed to collect, store and compare student data over time. The cost of such a data warehouse is estimated to cost between $8-10 million and such a purchase has been prohibited by budget constraints. The State is currently pursuing further budget sources and solutions.

Michigan Legislative Update

HB 4078 is calling for the total removal of the cap on the number of Charter Schools that can be established in Michigan.

SB 77 would further define acceptable instructional time to state that the instructional time that is part of a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program shall be considered to be pupil instructional time regardless of whether the instructor is a certified teacher.

SB 91 directs school district and public school academy boards to develop and implement a local school nutrition policy that will apply only to food and beverage products sold or distributed at school that are not part of a federally regulated child nutrition program. Banned food and beverages would include those that:

---

Professional Learning Opportunities

Another chance to participate in this high-demand workshop with Deborah Wahlstrom, nationally known expert and best-selling author.

March 8 - 9,2005
Macomb ISD
Cost: $399 per person (includes materials, breakfast, and lunch)
Click here to register online now!

This high-powered, data-intensive workshop is geared to central office staff, school administrators, and school improvement team members who desire to increase their level of knowledge in order to use data to make solid decisions with respect to curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Deborah has customized this program to meet the needs of Michigan educators and will use examples from the MEAP assessment.

Deborah will present the basics of data as well as select advanced analysis techniques. You'll leave with ideas that will infuse energy into your school improvement efforts and ready-to-use materials for your school district and staff.

• Distinguish key terms and concepts for Michigan's MEAP data.
• Distinguish between different data sources and types of data - outcome, demographic, and process.
• Disaggregate and triangulate data and explain why these techniques are important.
• Link school- and district-level data to student achievement, school improvement, Education YES!, and No Child Left Behind.
• Determine types of data for data packets in each content area.
• Facilitate the protocols for developing a data poster for each content area.
• Identify and analyze information in select data analysis reports.
• Review Deb's model for using data for school improvement, which includes the familiar Path to Student Success.
• Identify factors that are critical in aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
• Facilitate faculty discussion and analysis of process data, using school strategy cards.
• Link data from the data posters and school strategy cards to the school (or district) improvement plan.
• Develop data-driven improvement plans by tying information from the data posters and school strategy cards to the school improvement plan.

(757) 539-6513
www.successlineinc.com
mark.wahlstrom@successlineinc.com

---

Assess for Success: Practical Ideas for New MEAP Tests
March 10, 2005
Macomb ISD
$199 per person (includes materials, breakfast, and lunch)
Click here to register online

This high-impact professional learning opportunity is designed for central office staff, principals, teachers, district assessment coordinators, building assessment coordinators, and ISD staff.

You'll walk away with powerful ideas and tools, as well as a practical handbook for training district staff about the changes in the MEAP assessments.

During this interactive workshop, participants will:

• Analyze expectations of the MEAP assessment.
• Review principles of high-quality multiple-choice and constructed response items.
• Learn ways that student learning in the area of writing can be assessed through multiple-choice items (new for Michigan this year).
• Learn to make effective curricular decisions related to fall testing.
• Identify effective review strategies for different types of tests.
• Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate assessment review practices.

(757) 539-6513
www.successlineinc.com
mark.wahlstrom@successlineinc.com