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Dear Special Education Stakeholder: The latest issue of FOCUS on Results is now available on the Center for Educational Networking Web site. The June 2008 packet features articles on postsecondary transition, standards for the emergency use of seclusion and restraint, and the fifth in a five-part series that addresses the question: What can local school buildings/districts do to ensure that the spirit of No Child Left Behind is realized? Postsecondary Outcomes: Let's Make Sure Students Are Ready Policy Supports Student Behavior Re-Imagining the Spirit of AYP: Designing a Collaborative Infrastructure for Re-Culturing Schools as Sustainable Learning Organizations FOCUS on Results are brief guidance and technical assistance documents published periodically by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE-EIS) to keep stakeholders up-to-date on current changes in rules and regulations, dispute resolution, individualized education programs (IEP), alternate assessment, accountability, continuous improvement, early childhood, and other valuable and relevant topics.

FOCUS on Results Home Page

Dear Education Stakeholder:

The latest issue of Leading Change is now available online at www.cenmi.org/leadingchange/index.asp. 

This issue of Leading Change features information and articles related to the topic of Leadership. Articles include:

Leading Change is produced three times a year to share information about and highlight the collaborative efforts of the Office of the Governor, the State Board of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Michigan Department of Education to ensure a quality education that leads to a successful future for all of Michigan's children.  

Dear Special Education Stakeholder: The latest issue of FOCUS on Results is now available on the Center for Educational Networking Web site. The October 2007 documents highlight Transition. The articles are titled: Preparing Students for Success: A Cultural Shift From Where We've Been to Where We're Going The Right Stuff: Understanding Appropriate "Coordinated Education" FOCUS on Results are brief guidance and technical assistance documents published periodically by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE-EIS) to keep stakeholders up-to-date on current changes in rules and regulations, dispute resolution, individualized education programs (IEP), alternate assessment, accountability, continuous improvement, early childhood, and other valuable and relevant topics.

FOCUS on Results Home Page

Michigan Alliance for Families is pleased to announce its Web site, www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org, designed to provide online information, support and education to families of children and young adults with disabilities from birth to age 26 who are in the educational system.

Why visit us?

Here, you will:

• Learn about ways to be involved in your childs education - at all ages and on all levels.
• Locate information and links on disabilities, health and wellness, family and financial resources.
• Understand plans, laws, rules, and regulations that affect childrens education  general and special education.
• Discover opportunities to be involved on school, district, intermediate school district, or state level committees.
• Read about breaking news from the Michigan Department of Education and its offices; the Arc Michigan and other statewide organizations.
• Find links to calendars and information on learning opportunities sponsored by Michigan Alliance for Families and organizations around the state, as well as online educational links.
• Connect with a Regional Parent Mentor in one of our regional sites around the state or, if there is not a regional site, email a parent consultant at our statewide office for information, support, and local resources.
• Gain access to many more links and resources.

Please visit our Web site, or for more information or comments, contact us at info@michiganallianceforfamilies.org.

Download a PDF of this announcement

2007-08 NASDSE Satellite Conference Series

The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), presents its 11^th Annual Satellite Conference Series. Experts will provide important information on high-interest topics from nationally recognized experts.

The Center for Educational Networking, a mandated activities project of the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services, has purchased the rights to bring this satellite conference series to Michigan.

School personnel at the intermediate, local, and public school academy levels, as well as parents, and organizations, can view the four-part series during the 2007-08 school year via satellite or streaming media at no cost.

Districts and organizations that have the capacity to receive a C-Band satellite signal are encouraged to become a downlink site.

2007-08 Conference Schedule:

Wednesday, October 3, 2007  :: 1-3 pm ET

High School Redesign: Expanding Resources and Opportunities through School/Business Partnerships

Wednesday, November 14, 2007  ::  1-3 pm ET

Redesigning Teacher Preparation: Collaborative Programs in General and Special Education

Wednesday, March 5, 2008  ::  1-3 pm ET

Redesigning Instructional Delivery: Co-Teaching as a Strategy for Success

Wednesday, May 7, 2008  ::  1-3 pm ET

Moving from High School to Post-School Opportunities: Transition Components and Strategies for High School Redesign

The above dates and times are for the live satellite feed. Each of the four programs will also be available via streaming media five days after each satellite broadcast.

To serve as a downlink site or to receive access to the streaming media broadcast, you must complete a request form. Satellite information and streaming media passwords will be provided prior to each broadcast.

For more details on each topic, including presenters, please download the series brochure. Conference participants can earn SB-CEUs for participating in the conference series. For additional information regarding SB-CEUs, please contact your SB-CEU Coordinator.

• 2007-08 NASDSE Downlink Request Form [Word]
• 2007-08 NASDSE Streaming Media Request Form [Word]

Please return completed forms to:

Lori Schulze, NASDSE Satellite Series Coordinator for Michigan, Center for Educational Networking, 224 S. Cochran, Charlotte, MI 48813, (517) 541-1318 x16, (517) 541-1351 (fax), lschulze@eaton.k12.mi.us

The latest issue of FOCUS on Results is now available on the Center for Educational Networking Web site.

The May 2007 document focuses on Curriculum and Instruction. Click the article below titled:

• Meeting the Spirit of AYP Through School Reform: Systems of Individuation and Differentiation Are Needed to Meet All Stakeholders' Needs
  by Troy Mariage and Linda Patriarca

The spring 2007 issue of Leading Change is now available online at www.cenmi.org/leadingchange/index.asp.

This issue of Leading Change features information and articles related to the topic of Professional Preparation. Articles include:

• Highly Qualified Teachers Impact Student Learning
  by Flora Jenkins, Office of Professional Preparation Services, MDE
• The Road to Becoming a Special Education Teacher
• How to Build a Professional Learning Community: The Michigan School Improvement Framework Guides the Way
• Michigan Teachers Improve Math Scores Through Career and Technical Education Programs
  by Carol Clark, Office of Career & Technical Preparation, DLEG
• What Is Universal Design for Learning?
  by Jeff Diedrich, Michigan's Integrated Technology Supports (MITS)

Leading Change is produced three times a year to share information about and highlight the collaborative efforts of the Office of the Governor, the State Board of Education, the Superintendent for Public Instruction, and the Michigan Department of Education to ensure a quality education that leads to a successful future for all of Michigans children.

The Center for Educational Networking is looking for feedback on its publications, FOCUS on Results and Leading Change. CEN produces both publications on behalf of the Michigan Department of Education and the Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services. Please take a few minutes to complete a short survey on each of the publications.

Your feedback is important to us. With your help, we can make each publication more responsive to your information needs.

Each survey refers to the Fall 2006 documents/issue. If you did not receive a hard copy of either publication or you did not view the publications online, you can visit www.cenmi.org to access them.

Thank you in advance for your time. To complete the surveys, please select the links below.

• FOCUS on Results Survey
• Leading Change Survey

COMING SOON!

The latest issues of FOCUS on Results and Leading Change will be available in March.

FOCUS on Results will feature articles on improving achievement in mathematics, learning disabilities, and meeting adequate yearly progress (AYP).

Leading Change will highlight professional preparation for new and pre-service teachers.

Dear Special Education Stakeholder:

FOCUS on Results November 2006 documents are now available on the Center for Educational Networking Web site.

FOCUS on Results are brief guidance and technical assistance documents published periodically by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services to keep stakeholders up-to-date on current changes in rules and regulations, dispute resolution, individualized education programs (IEP), alternate assessment, accountability, continuous improvement, early childhood, and other valuable and relevant topics.

The current documents focus on the areas of Curriculum and Instruction and Personnel. The three articles are titled (click on the link to access):

Dear Education Stakeholder:

The fall 2006 issue of Leading Change is now available online at www.cenmi.org/leadingchange/index.asp. Leading Change is produced three times a year to share information about and highlight the collaborative efforts of the Office of the Governor, the State Board of Education, the Superintendent for Public Instruction, and the Michigan Department of Education to ensure a quality education that leads to a successful future for all of Michigans children.

The fall issue of Leading Change features information and articles related to the topic of High School Redesign. Articles in this issue include:

• Commonly Asked Questions About the New High School Reform Efforts
• Good Assessments Help Students Transition to Post-Secondary Opportunities
  by Lynn Boza, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth
• Ingham Intermediate School District Plays a Supporting Role in High School Reform Efforts
  by Shirley Beckman

Dear Special Education and Early Intervention Stakeholders:

If you believe in solving problems collaboratively, you may wish to visit the revised Web site for the Michigan Special Education Mediation Program (MSEMP) at www.cenmi.org/msemp.

You will find a new Q & A (under About the MSEMP) to inform you about the use of IEP facilitation and mediation in avoiding or resolving special education and early intervention disputes.

You also will find a new downloadable IEP facilitation brochure. A printed brochure will be sent in the mail. The brochure reviews the benefits of facilitated IEP meetings and of honing your own facilitation skills for better meetings in the future.

Should you need services, the Web site provides contact information for the MSEMP center serving your area. Its as easy as calling 1-800-8RESOLVE.

More educators and parents are turning to the MSEMP to find mutual solutions to complex issues. They also are contacting the MSEMP to increase their conflict resolution skills. 

Either way, the MSEMP can help you reduce conflict and
increase the time spent on education. MSEMP services are free to parents and educators.