Michigan ASCD Board of Directors Meeting
January 7, 2005

Members Present:
Ilene MacDonald, President
Sara Shubel, Past-President
Patricia McNeill, Treasurer
Jan Van Gasse, Secretary
Olga Moir, Executive Director
Karen Mlcek (by phone) – Region 2
Dave Buell, Region 3
Shannon Griffin, Region 5
Shawn Lewis-Lakin, Region 8
Shereen Arraf, Region 10
Narda Murphy, At-Large
James Reese, At-Large
Judith Dorsch Backes, Board
Kathy Griffey, Board
Tim Bennett, Student Chapters Liaison
Julie Lemond, Michigan Association of State and Federal Program Specialists Liaison
Judy Schaftenaar, Middle Cities Association Liaison

President Ilene MacDonald called the January 7, 2005 meeting of the Michigan ASCD Board of Directors to order at 9:05 a.m.

Issues Session: Focusing on Michigan ASCD Priorities, Board Recommendations for Influencing the Educational Agenda
Ilene MacDonald spoke of the need to set priorities for our organization. We will break into groups and discuss. Olga Moir gathered priorities from other organizations to get an idea of what others are working on. The suggested topics that were shared by Board members with Olga prior to today’s meeting were:
• Accountability – this is an area that we need to accept and recognize as a way of life
• High School Reform – the Cherry Commission is studying what high schools should do to prepare students for the future
• Structure for providing education; for example, quality time for teachers to meet
• School Performance Indicators – these were brought to the Board by Dave Buell. The indicators will be discussed by the State Board on January 11.
• 2005 ASCD – Whole Child and the Connection of Health and Learning
We are to discuss the top five things that MASCD should be involved in. What are the issues we should “take action on” or “get behind?”

Dave Buell presented the Pathfinding Framework. We could use this framework to answer the questions of “Do we matter?” and “How can we reinvent MASCD so that it matters more: to us, to our colleagues, and to our membership?” The framework involves improvement (rename, rethink) and innovations (wild, wooly, unexpected). The subtopics under innovations are:
• small ideas – big impact
• leverage
• customize
• repackage
• new
• extensions

Ilene highlighted the goals in the Michigan ASCD pamphlet:
• Provide quality membership services that meet membership needs
• Support excellence in educational curriculum and instructional leadership in Michigan’s schools
• Address and influence educational policy reform
• Advocate quality learning for all students
• Ensure equity and diversity in all Michigan ASCD decisions and activities

Shawn Lewis-Lakin wondered why they were our goals. He stated that if we identify our three core beliefs, our issues will be easy to identify. We need to articulate our core beliefs.

Judith Dorsch Backes stated that we need to focus on reorganizing Michigan ASCD so that it matters. What is different about our organization?

Olga Moir stated that the Executive Board had discussed what additional help was needed. We first need to decide what we are willing to go to the wall for. How do we do that? What kind of resources do we need?

Shawn stated that he is advocating for first having the conversation of “What do we stand for?” Dave said that that was the first step of the Pathfinding Framework. Ilene asked if what we stand for and what matters most are the same things. Shereen Arraf stated that she thinks we already know what we stand for and we need to determine what matters most. She said that we were refocusing and refiguring our priorities and determining what we need to focus on for the next two to three years.

Ilene reframed the question in terms of “What are we willing to go to the wall for?”

Shannon Griffin stated that we have goals and wondered if we were looking at some specific short-term objectives that tie into our goals.

Dave stated that the other two steps of the Pathfinding Framework are:
• What is your dream?
• What is “wow?” What is “wow” for us and “wow” for our customers?

Judy Schaftenaar stated that the end is still unclear. One thing we might stand up for is the connection between curriculum, instruction, and assessment. This group is about that contextual piece. We could have 5 or 6 core things that we would stand up for.

Narda Murphy said that she thought it was really simple. We are being asked to answer the question: “What do we advocate for right now that’s out there?”

Judith said that if we decide our issues, then we will decide our strategies and advocated for us to move forward.

Ilene said that she would like to do just that. For example, MASSP came out to eliminate the MEAP High School Test and go with ACT. Why did that happen and why were they told to get the ear of the superintendent? We allow things to be done to us. What is it that matters that ends up being done to us and our constituency? The “what” are the issues for the next year in Michigan. Why should it matter to Michigan ASCD?

Shawn stated that if we say the what, it is also important to say the why. He thinks it should be 2-3 issues, not 5.

Ilene assigned groups. We worked in small groups for about an hour and then reported out.

Karen Mlcek was applauded for the article that appeared recently in the Cadillac News entitled “A Day in the Life of ISD Director Karen Mlcek.”

Group #1 – Dave Buell, Narda Murphy, Patricia McNeill, Tim Bennett
Vision: Schools exist to deliver curriculum

Mission:
• MASCD believes that a comprehensive approach to learning requires recognition of the whole child
• MASCD believes that high quality assessment and instruction are inextricably linked
Roles and how we impact
Policy/Advocacy (influence) Membership Support
- Local member information (talking points, -Information
sound bytes) to impact leadership -Professional development
- Being “at the table” -Technical assistance
- Proactive as well as reactive -Networking
-“Wow” factor to statements -Processes, products,
and services

Ilene asked if the two issues were the things that were at the top of the list. Dave said yes. Narda said that whatever the issue is, we need to come at it through that voice. Pat stated that they didn’t prioritize issues.

Group #2 – Ilene MacDonald, Julie Lemond, Shannon Griffin, Judith Dorsch Backes, Karen Mlcek

This group looked at the task through the eyes of the people we want to impact; for example, legislators and the Governor. All legislators are reading Reinvented Government. Our lens will always be curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Those that we want to impact tend to look at things through a management perspective.
#1 issue – Accountability – MEAP, AYP, Education YES!
#2 issue – Funding – as it impacts learning
These issues were chosen because they affect curriculum, instruction and assessment and educational policy. We have to speak the language. Judith stated that we need sound bytes or talking points of how the issues out there impact learning.

Group #3 – Shereen Arraf, Judy Schaftenaar, James Reese, Kathy Griffey, Jan Van Gasse

What are we willing to go to the wall about Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment?
• Equity
• Integration and alignment
• Quality definitions
• Co-creation of value with our constituents
• Accessibility of quality information

We looked at this as a filter.

Dave Buell stated that the book that the legislators are reading is about starting with what is needed. Narda Murphy stated that the connection between the three groups is stepping back. Ilene MacDonald said that the key issues for taxpayers are funding and accountability. Judy Schaftenaar asked how we can be strong and not denigrate what we know as educators. She wants a balance with what we really do know. Are we folding to others and do they know better? Why do we always have to apologize for our passion and others don’t? Shannon Griffin stated that we need to take a look at communication and collaboration and how we are going to do that. Olga Moir said that we had learned some things on the testing issue. We didn’t take a position. The Alliance asked us to answer questions. We identified key things that they needed to talk about. The Tri-County Alliance also said that this was a major decision that needed to be studied more. There were several organizations that didn’t go along with the change in testing. We have tried to figure this out as an organization before. We used to write white papers and then tried to get everyone on committees. How is influence made currently? It is in the hands of the legislators. However, recently the State Board has been trying to get some back. They are trying to create major liaisons with the Legislature. It is a crime that education is being talked about without including educators. Narda stated that she represented us on the Michigan Coalition for Healthy Children. It was evident to her that they are just telling us what to do and are not talking to schools. James Reese said that the superhighway to get into schools is through legislation.

Ilene MacDonald said that the Executive Board will take these things and put them together as succinctly as possible for the next Board meeting. We will then talk about the “what.”

We moved to the Business Meeting.

Approval of Minutes
Motion by Shannon Griffin, seconded by Tim Bennett, to approve the December 3, 2004 Michigan ASCD Board of Directors Meeting minutes. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report
Patricia McNeill presented the Treasurer’s Report, which reflects revenue and expenses through the end of December. We are moving along with memberships and are about ½ way there in terms of what is budgeted. ASCD book sales are moving along. Our current assets are $212,717.44. Olga Moir will ask James Scofield if we have received a check from the first Wahlstrom workshop. Judy Schaftenaar asked if there was a decision about our total current assets. Ilene MacDonald stated that we are accepting the Treasurer’s Report now. We need to have the discussion of total assets in terms of 2005-2006 when we build the budget. We will talk about assets in the spring when we have determined our priorities and how to get there in terms of resources. Today was the first step in the process. Pat stated that even ASCD has told us that our fund balance is large. Motion by Judith Dorsch Backes, seconded by Shereen Arraf to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.

President’s Report
Ilene MacDonald reported that she had received a thank you note from Jenny Armock, a student member for whom we purchased a free membership to ASCD.

Past-President’s Report
Olga Moir stated that Sara Shubel has been on the ASCA Nominations Committee in the past and will be on the committee again because one of the members dropped out.

Executive Director’s Report
Olga Moir reported that we have well over 125 registrants for the workshop on Data Analysis Systems. Registration is capped at 150. She received requests from other vendors to present. There have also been requests to do the workshop again, perhaps in a more central part of the state.

We need to make some key decisions about the Sub-Groups Workshop since it is at the end of April.

ASCD is urging people on this Board to run for positions and is also looking for young leaders for ASCD.

Olga discussed the Performance Indicators and the School Report Cards. For this year, a school that receives a D of F in Achievement can not receive more than a grade higher for the Performance Indicators. The Performance Indicators will be significantly changed for next year. Both Shawn Lewis-Lakin and Shereen Arraf stated that they were concerned because there is value in leaving the indicators stable. We need linkage to curriculum, assessment and instruction and need data consistency. Shereen stated that we need at least 3 years of stability. Dave Buell stated that the accreditation system was going to change and it is really important for us to figure out what is most important here for us to keep and protect. Shawn stated that it’s obvious it is going to change, but we want people at the table to understand the need for data stability.

Liaison Reports

Student Chapters –
Tim Bennett stated that the January workshop is coming up very soon. The keynoter is Teri Gianetti. He is taking 10 students from 3 colleges to the annual conference in Orlando.

Michigan Association of State and Federal Program Specialists (MAS/FPS) –
Julie Lemond stated that MAS/FPS has a Board meeting next week. There will be a conference on March 11 entitled “The All in NCLB” at the Holiday Inn West in Lansing. The Fall Directors’ Conference will be in late October because of the change in MEAP testing. That conference will also focus on subgroups. Shereen Arraf will try to meet with Harmon Beekman about our Sub-Groups Workshop.

Middle Cities Association –
Judy Schaftenaar stated that she spoke with Ray about our discussion from last meeting. He was very interested in the work that we are doing. He will wait to hear what our issues are and what the results of our work today are. This would be a good marketing tool for membership and communication.

Sub-Groups Workshop
Shereen Arraf has contacted Joseph Johnson, Assistant Superintendent for Ohio Department of Education, about being the keynoter. He is available April 26 or April 28, but prefers April 26. He would like an honorarium. We would also expect him to provide breakouts throughout the day. The specifics will be discussed within committee work today. Shereen has put together a “Call for Proposals.” Olga Moir stated that an honorarium would be an expense. If we decided to go with this, we might want to consider another facility besides an ISD.

Lunch and The Four Agreements
We discussed the first two agreements presented in the book The Four Agreements during lunch. They are:

1) Be impeccable with your word, and
2) Don’t take anything personally. We will discuss Agreements Three and Four at our next Board meeting.

Committee Meetings
The Professional Development and Influence Committees met from 1:20-1:45 p.m.

Committee Reports

Professional Development Committee – Shereen Arraf, Shannon Griffin, Judith Dorsch Backes, Judy Schaftenaar, Kathy Griffey, Ilene MacDonald

The Sub-Groups Workshop will be on April 26. Joseph Johnson will be the keynoter and will also stay for breakout sessions. The location will possibly be Washtenaw ISD. There will be time for 5 breakout sessions and this would be multiplied by the number of rooms available. (For example, there would be 15 breakout sessions if we have 3 rooms available.) The Call for Presenters was discussed. The committee would like presenters to identify the subgroup they would like to target and they would select instructional strategies, professional development, etc. Presenters will be invited and they are to list program goals and an abstract of 50 words. The Call for Presenters will also ask if presenters were asked to present by a Board member. The question of partnering with MAS/FPS came up. James Reese said that partnering would create synergy and would be to our advantage. Judy Schaftenaar wondered at what level the partnering could occur as it is getting late. Julie Lemond stated that proposals for the MAS/FPS Workshop are due to Harmon Beekman by January 10. Shereen said she thought all was set with Harmon. Our Call for Presenters will be due the end of February. Judith Dorsch Backes suggested partnering with MAS/FPS in the future, perhaps for their Fall Conference. James suggested we partner with organizations in the future, if we can. Our focus for the April 26 workshop will be more practitioner-focused, rather than MDE, which is what MAS/FPS is going to do. We have moved to very quality, targeted workshops, using local people.

Influence Committee – Patricia McNeill, Tim Bennett, Julie Lemond, James Reese, Olga Moir, Jan Van Gasse

We discussed the tasks left over from our October meeting. We will wait to make decisions about influence (Legislative Day, lobbyist, etc.) until we decide on our issues. We discussed that all politics is local and perhaps it would be better to do things locally, rather than have a Legislative Day. We discussed how to establish influence and suggested reading a book to help us in this endeavor. We need to supply accurate information to our members and would perhaps create a checklist of questions that are needed in order to act. Members calling legislators is what worked for Jim Ballard and MASSP. We will try to read Reinventing Government.

Adjournment
Motion by Shannon Griffin, seconded by Shereen Arraf, to adjourn the meeting at 2:25 p.m. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Jan Van Gasse
Secretary