Recently legislation was enacted to further strengthen school security.
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NEWS FROM THE CENTER
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March is Reading Month – Invite Your Legislators to Visit Your School
National Reading Month is coming up in March. This is a great opportunity to invite local legislators and other community leaders to visit your school to participate in reading activities with your students. National Reading Month provides an ideal opportunity to showcase your school and its accomplishments.
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Legislative Update – New Governor and Legislators Take Office in Lansing
The 100th Michigan Legislature is underway with many new faces in state government. Governor Gretchen Whitmer was sworn into office on January 1 and she is expected to present her FY 2019-20 budget recommendation to the legislature in early March.
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Center Develops CMU Connections Committee to Gather Feedback from Schools
As part of the CMU family, the Center and CMU-authorized schools have direct connections to the tremendous resources available through CMU. In an effort to explore additional connections that can be made between CMU and schools, the Center developed the CMU Connections Committee this year.
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Six New Schools Join CMU Family in 2018-19 School Year
The Center is excited to welcome six new schools to the CMU family this fall. The schools are Cole Academy East, Distinctive College Prep – Redford, Flex High School of Michigan, Lakeside Charter School, Michigan Educational Choice Center and Pembroke Academy.
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Staff Spotlight – Jason Sarsfield
As deputy director at the Center, Jason is responsible for providing leadership, operating direction and coordination throughout the functional units of the Center. In this role, he leads the Charter Accountability unit and the Performance Data Center. He also focuses on the Center’s evaluation systems.
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Governor Signs School Aid Budget
The state School Aid budget was recently signed by Governor Snyder and totals $14,765,468,800 for this upcoming fiscal year. Schools will see per-pupil increases between $120 and $240 depending on the district. This raises the minimum per-pupil grant to $7,871 and the basic level to $8,409.
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Center Seeking Board Training and Development Coordinator
The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University is a leader in transforming public education. We envision a diverse and dynamic public education marketplace that fosters academic excellence for all children. We are an innovative, results-oriented organization that values and empowers passionate professionals that are committed to quality and accountability. We are currently hiring for a board training and development coordinator that would be based in our Mt. Pleasant office.
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Center Seeking Strategic Leader for Deputy Director Role
The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University is a leader in transforming public education. We envision a diverse and dynamic public education marketplace that fosters academic excellence for all children. We are an innovative, results-oriented organization that values and empowers passionate professionals that are committed to quality and accountability. We are currently hiring for a deputy director that would be based in our Mt. Pleasant office.
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Family Spotlight: Williams Family from NexTech High School of Lansing
Siblings Rachel and Benjamin Williams both made the choice to attend NexTech High School of Lansing (NexTech) and during their time at the school, they have truly left their mark. Rachel, who graduated two years ago received a full-tuition scholarship to Adrian College. When asked about the blended learning model at her high school she shared, “I was really excited about the idea of being able to have more control over the progression of my school work; I could work at my own pace but still rely on teachers to help me when I needed more explanation.” During her time at NexTech, she developed a prom event for the school. It was a great success and NexTech still utilizes the plans she put in place for their prom event.
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March is Reading Month
National Reading Month is coming up in March. This is a great opportunity to invite local legislators and other community leaders to visit your school to participate in reading activities with your students. National Reading Month provides an ideal opportunity to showcase your school and its accomplishments.
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Students Participate in STEAM Challenge
Recently, 42 students from West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES) participated in the first of three events in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math Challenge along with two other schools. Hosted at WMAES, the first event asked students to be creative and collaborate while they practiced measuring and recording data. The year will culminate in the students traveling to the Rogue River to test their final devices as they release salmon as part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Salmon in the Classroom program.
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Automotive Engineering Students Meet Bill Ford
Recently, students from A.G.B.U. Alex and Marie Manoogian School’s automotive engineering class had the opportunity to meet with Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company. The meeting at Ford Field was facilitated by the Detroit Economic Club and gave the students the ability to ask Mr. Ford questions regarding the automotive industry.
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CMU List of Uses Policy and Opt-Out Form Available
State law requires public school academy authorizing bodies to prepare a list of uses or instances that we commonly disclose regarding a student’s directory information. This information means information contained in a student’s education record that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. In addition, the law provides parents/legal guardians with the opportunity to elect not to have the student’s directory information disclosed for one or more of these uses or instances.
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Distinctive College Prep Celebrates Ribbon Cutting
Distinctive College Prep, the newest CMU-authorized charter public school, celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony recently. The event was attended by students, parents, school leaders and community members. It was a great event to share the excitement the school has for their students and the community they serve. We were happy to be a part of their celebration and we presented the school with a CMU flag and plaque commemorating the opening of the school.
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Staff Spotlight: Jason Mancini
Jason is responsible for evaluating the impact of state and federal programs on charter public schools and serves as a liaison with governmental agencies, legislative offices, education reform organizations and charter public schools boards. He is a vital part of educating stakeholders on all aspects of charter authorizing and the importance of school choice.
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Staff Certification – Ensure Your School is Following Guidelines
Having staff with the proper certifications is not only required by law, it is vital to having a successful school. As the school year begins, be sure to approach staff certification with the importance that it deserves.
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Camp Central Provides STEAM Experience to Seventh Grade Students
Camp Central for College Candidates is going into its fourth year and will be providing the opportunity for 100 seventh grade students to attend a four-day program in the summer with a focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math. In addition to classroom and lab learning, students experience campus living and explore opportunities for future careers.
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Join the Center’s Team Focused on Public Policy’s Impact on Charter Schools
The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University is a leader in transforming public education. We envision a diverse and dynamic public education marketplace that fosters academic excellence for all children. We are an innovative, results-oriented organization that values and empowers passionate professionals that are committed to quality and accountability. We are currently hiring for a director of public policy that would be based in our Lansing office.
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Charter School Teacher and Administrator of the Year Finalists Announced
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies recently announced the finalists for the 2017 Michigan Charter School Teacher and Administrator of the Year awards. The Center would like to congratulate the CMU-authorized charter public schools’ staff members that were given this statewide recognition.
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Central Academy is Designated an International Baccalaureate World School
The Center would like to congratulate Central Academy on their tremendous accomplishment of being recognized as an International Baccalaureate World School for the Primary Years Program. This designation is for kindergarten through fifth grades.
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Staff Spotlight: Valerie Bailey
Valerie provides academic support to charter public schools to aid improvement efforts. She has strategic and operational responsibility for oversight of Educational Program Reviews, Quality School Reviews and school support visits for CMU-authorized charter public schools. Valerie also facilitates professional learning opportunities in the area of instructional strategies.
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Is Your School Meeting New Evaluation Requirements?
Back before the start of the school year, we briefed you on the new state law which requires school boards to have a performance evaluation system in place for their teachers and administrators. Many of the requirements of the law went into effect for this school year, including training, so make sure your school is continuing to meet its statutory obligations.
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Center Seeking Results-Oriented Individual for School Lead Role
The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University is a leader in transforming public education. We envision a diverse and dynamic public education marketplace that fosters academic excellence for all children. We are an innovative, results-oriented organization that values and empowers passionate professionals that are committed to quality and accountability. We are currently hiring for a school lead in the Detroit area.
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March is Reading Month
National Reading Month is coming up in March. This is a great opportunity to invite local legislators and other community leaders to visit your school to participate in reading activities with your students. National Reading Month provides an ideal opportunity to showcase your school and its accomplishments.
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Staff Spotlight: Sandy Hryczyk
Sandy is a team member within the Office of Academic Performance and Accountability.
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U.S. Department of Education Releases Final ESSA Regulations
On Monday, November 28, the U.S. Department of Education released the final accountability rules for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which provide further guidance for states on how to implement the requirements under the law. Based on the feedback on May’s draft regulations, a number of changes were made. Read More »
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Charyl Stockwell Academy is Designated an International Baccalaureate World School
The Center would like to congratulate Charyl Stockwell Academy on their tremendous accomplishment of being recognized as an International Baccalaureate World School. This is truly an honor and will have a great impact on the students who attend the school.
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Center Celebrates Board Members in Detroit News Letter
The Detroit News recently published a letter authored by Cindy Schumacher, the Center’s executive director. The letter celebrated board members and highlighted the need for board members to have support and training so they can effectively lead their schools. Read More »
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Staff Spotlight: Sherry Betcher
Sherry is a team member within the Office of Academic Performance and Accountability. She is responsible for the dissemination of various school assessment data and providing support for understanding and applying the data to school improvement solutions.
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Third Grade Reading Bill Passes Legislature
The state Legislature last week approved an early literacy bill that would require students in third grade to be held back if they are not proficient in reading. It now heads to Governor Snyder who is expected to soon sign the bill.
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Is Your School Ready for the New Educator Evaluation Law?
State law requires school boards to have a performance evaluation system in place for their teachers and administrators. Many of the requirements of the law go into effect for this school year, including training and website posting. Is your school ready to meet these statutory obligations?
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West Village Academy Utilizes Fresh Nation Program to Learn About Communications
West Village Academy has a fresh approach to improve student communications. This spring, West Village Academy partnered with Fresh Nation to provide a speaker training program for its sixth-graders. The leadership at West Village Academy saw an opportunity to build upon the social media focus that most youth have these days and to expand students’ ability to communicate and speak at the highest level.
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Staff Spotlight: Marie Natzel
Marie is a team member within the Office of Fiscal Performance and Accountability. She provides guidance and expertise to schools related to their budgets, quarterly financial statements, audited financial statements, deficit elimination plans and overall financial performance.
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Staff Certification – Ensure Your School is Following Guidelines
Having staff with the proper certifications is not only required by law, it is vital to having a successful school. As the school year begins, be sure to approach staff certification with the importance that it deserves.
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Welcome Inkster Preparatory Academy
The Center is welcoming a new school for the fall of 2016, Inkster Preparatory Academy in Inkster. The school will implement a personalized learning model combining innovative blended learning technologies with outstanding classroom teaching to prepare students to be successful in college and in their careers.
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Student-Built Electric Car Receives Statewide Recognition
Thirteen students from A.G.B.U. Alex and Marie Manoogian High School recently competed in a statewide electric car competition placing second in the race in a field of 25 high schools. They also received a first place trophy in the public relations category. Read More »
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Executive Director Appointed to 21st Century Education Commission
Cindy Schumacher, the Center’s executive director, was recently appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to serve on the new 21st Century Education Commission. The appointment of Schumacher to the Commission is a tremendous honor and a great example of the impact the Center has on education at the state level. Read More »
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Charyl Stockwell Recognized as GRAMMY Signature School
The GRAMMY Foundation recognized Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy High School as one of their GRAMMY Signature Schools for 2016. They are the only school in Michigan, and one of 13 high schools in the nation, to receive this designation. Read More »