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Home » Information » State/Federal Correspondence » MDE MDE Click here to link to the MDE home page. Wednesday November 19, 2008
LANSING – The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is looking for community sponsors to run afterschool snack and supper programs for at-risk children. This federal program provides free meals to students while they are engaged in positive afterschool programs. Today’s students face difficult challenges on their path to educational success, according to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. “Poor diet; limited opportunities for organized activities; uncertain home environments; too much television; risky health behaviors; and stress are obstacles our students must overcome to achieve academic excellence,” Flanagan said. Research has demonstrated the positive relationship between good nutrition and academic achievement. MDE’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) offers an At-Risk Afterschool Snack/Supper program that can improve the quality of nutrition for eligible students. The CACFP provides a cash reimbursement for snacks and suppers served to children while in an afterschool program. Reimbursement is for school-age children who are 18 years of age or under at the beginning of the school year. “We need more organizations to sponsor these crucial afterschool food programs for our children,” said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus. “Good nutrition is a building block in the community for healthy, happy kids who are ready to learn. The need is there and the federal reimbursement for the food is available. Now we need more locations to serve the children.” Eligible sites must:
Many students go home to an empty cupboard and absent parents. Their food needs are great but the resources are minimal or non-existent. The CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Snack/Supper program could be a stop-gap measure. What child wouldn’t want something to eat immediately after the school day? Students who participate in the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Snack/Supper program receive healthy snacks and/or balanced suppers. Interested groups and organizations can contact the CACFP staff at (517) 373-7391 for further information. To preview a sample CACFP application, go to www.michigan.gov/meis. Scroll down to Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) and click on the Child Nutrition Application Program (CNAP). To login, use systemsa and use samplesa as the password. The sample application is in “read only” format.
DATE: November 14, 2008 SUBJECT: 2009 Title IID Grants Competition Deadline Extension FROM: Sally Vaughn, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer The deadline for the 2008-2009 Title IID, Enhancing Education Through Technology Grants competition, Category VI, Models of Demonstrated Proficiency, has been extended through November 21, 2008 at 11:59 pm. Funding for this program has been awarded to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) by the U.S. Department of Education as authorized by Section 321 of P.L. 106-554. Materials related to these grant programs and deadlines on submission are available through the MDE Michigan Electronic Grants System (MEGS). The Grant Award Notification will provide details regarding the grant award. If you have questions regarding the 2009 grants competition, please contact MDE Educational Technology and Data Coordination at (517) 241-3629. Tuesday November 18, 2008 SUBJECT: Child and Adolescent Health Center Request for Proposals The Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Community Health are pleased to announce the availability of $2,440,000 in funds to support the Child and Adolescent Health Center (CAHC) Program. A request for proposals (RFP) for these funds has been released and can be found at the Coordinated School Health and Safety Programs website at www.michigan.gov/cshsp or the Child and Adolescent Health Center website at www.michigan.gov/cahc. Funding is intended to provide primary care and support services into or close to schools with significant numbers of uninsured and underinsured children and families that have problems accessing adequate health services, giving children and adolescents access to care in a conveniently-located environment that is tailored to their unique needs. Three models are eligible for funding through this RFP: Due date for proposals is December 17, 2008. October 30, 2008 Choice/Transfer Option Information for Public School Academies Identified for Phase 1 of School Improvement or Greater The start of the 2008-09 academic year has prompted several questions concerning the public school choice and transfer responsibilities of Title I schools that do not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). I n June and July of 2008, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) sent notice (based on preliminary AYP determinations) to LEAs that will have Title I schools in phase I or higher of non-AYP status for the 2008-09 academic year. This communication included an outline of the responsibilities for parental notification and public school choice. You may recall that MDE provided a template for you to use in notifying parents of AYP status and the right to transfer students to schools that have made AYP and are not identified for improvement (phase 0). The template included a brief description of your school's responsibilities, particularly relative to transporting pupils. Consequently, several schools have raised questions about what they must do. Legislative Requirement Clarification Written Federal guidance, received in November, 2006, specifically states that a PSA in Phase 1 or greater, '...must, to the extent practicable, establish a cooperative agreement with one or more other [Local Education Agencies (LEAs)] and provide transportation (subject to meeting its 20°/0 obligation...)". Transportation Costs If a PSA does not already directly provide transportation to and from school, the PSA must still provide transportation for students choosing to transfer under these provisions. However, federal law permits any LEA to make alternative arrangements for providing transportation, such as reimbursing parents for the cost of transporting students or using city transportation. However, if a student chooses to transfer back to his/her district of residence, the PSA does not have to pay for transportation costs. PSAs are encouraged to contact their authorizer to explore alternative transportation options for students not returning to the district of residence. Notification Requirements and Choice Cooperative Agreements for Transfer MDE has defined the following ChoiceITransfer options as "practicable" sources for a cooperative agreement:
PSAs in Phase 1 that are unable to execute a cooperative agreement with at least one school within these three ChoiceITransfer sources, either because all schools are identified for improvement or LEAS are unwilling to accept ChoiceITransfer students, may choose, but are not required to, utilize the entire 20% of Title I funding by offering supplemental educational services (SES) to students instead of paying for transportation. A PSA in phase 1 that chooses to offer SES or cannot establish cooperative agreements should still inform parents of their right to transfer students back to the district of residence. PSAs in phase 2 or higher that are unable to execute a cooperative agreement with at least one school within the three ChoiceITransfer sources for the reasons established in the preceding paragraph must utilize the entire 20% set-aside amount to pay for SES as demand dictates for these services. In this instance, PSAs should still inform parents of their right to transfer students back to the district of residence. Any LEA that does not spend the full 20% set-aside on either ChoiceITransfer or SES must contact MDE to determine if those funds may be utilized for other approvable Title I expenditures. I f you have any additional questions, please contact Bill Witt at 517-373-4140 or at mde-ses@michigan.gov. FROM: Carol L. Wolenberg Deputy Superintendent SUBJECT: Cash Advance and Overpayment Recovery – Notice of Change Over the past few years, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has undergone several changes in our Cash Management System (CMS) to bring us more in line with federal regulations governing cash advances. As a result of our efforts to comply with these federal regulations, MDE must make the following changes:
If you experience any difficulties in requesting funds on the CMS or have any questions concerning this federally required change in policy, please email your questions to MDECMS@Michigan.gov October 20, 2008 FROM: Carol Wolenberg, Deputy Superintendent SUBJECT: Delivery of Commodities for School Year 2009-2010 At this time, school districts need to decide how to manage the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) donated food commodities that will be ordered for the school year 2009-2010. In order to receive commodities for the 2009-2010 school year, all schools will be required to submit a response to the “Request for Commodity Delivery” application in the Michigan Electronic Grants System (MEGS). Schools will have to choose one of the following options for the delivery of commodities: (1) join a consortium for commodity diversion, or (2) choose not to participate in the delivery of USDA donated commodities. Schools that choose to join a consortium will receive USDA brown box commodities (non-processed), Department of Defense (DOD) fresh fruits and vegetables, and processed commodities procured by the consortium through processing contracts. Schools that choose not to participate in the delivery of commodities will forfeit their commodity entitlement and will not be eligible to receive commodities in school year 2009-2010. The application in MEGS will be available from November 1 to November 30, 2008. You are required to respond by November 30, 2008, for 2009-2010. The decision you make will be irrevocable for the 2009-2010 school year. Questions regarding the contents of this letter may be directed to Jayme Priest by e-mail to priestj@michigan.gov or phone 517-335-3792. October 17, 2008 SUBJECT: Changes to the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education On September 11, 2008, changes were made to the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (Rules) were filed with the Secretary of State. These Rules take immediate effect. A complete set of the Rules is posted on the Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services’ (OSE/EIS) website at http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_6598_7376---,00.html The OSE/EIS is in the process of producing a document that will incorporate all of the Rules and pertinent federal regulations. If you have further questions regarding this issue, please contact Dr. Joanne Winkelman at 517/373-1696, or via email at winkelmanj@michigan.gov October 16, 2008 Subject: Federal Parent Training and Information Center Update Effective October 1, 2008, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has designated the Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training and Support, (WI-FACETS) as the fiscal agent for Michigan’s Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center funding. The WI-FACETS is expected to release Request for Proposals (RFPs) to provide parent training and information services to families in Michigan. The OSEP anticipates releasing RFPs for Michigan, as done in the past, between December 2008 and February 2009. In and effort to provide the most current information available, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE/EIS) would like to outline the current training, information and support services available to families as offered by the OSEP and the MDE-OSE/EIS: OSEP MDE-OSE/EIS The Michigan Alliance for Families Please take the opportunity to share this information with any parent or community organizations that you may be aware of, as well as any local education agencies and business or personal contacts you may have. If you have any questions you may contact Monica Butler in the OSE/EIS at 517-241-4518 or ButlerM3@Michigan.gov. October 14, 2008 FROM: Sally Vaughn, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer SUBJECT: McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 2008-2009 Local Homeless Education Liaison Directory Federal law under Title I and Title X, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, ensures the educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. These children and youth are automatically eligible to receive Title I services by virtue of their homelessness. Each state receiving funding under Title I, Part A, is required to submit a plan to the Secretary of Education that includes the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. One of those provisions is that a local education agency (LEA) may receive funding under Title I, Part A, only if the LEA has a plan that ensures Title I services to homeless children and youth. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requires that all local education agencies have a designated appropriate staff person and a local education liaison for homeless children and youth. This person may also be the coordinator for other federal programs. This assurance guarantees that a homeless student will have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in school. The Homeless Liaison Update form is attached. Please enter the information requested and return by fax to Trudy Schutte, Office of School Improvement, at 517-335-2886. In order to comply with the federal requirement that all school districts and public school academies have a homeless liaison, districts and public school academies not submitting a liaison update form will have the superintendent or administrator named as the liaison. Please return your fax by October 31, 2008. Questions regarding this process may be directed to Trudy Schutte, Office of School Improvement, at 517-241-1162. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Name: __________________________________________________________________ Title: ___________________________________________________________________ District Name: ____________________________________________________________ District Address: _________________________________________________________ Phone #: ________________________________________________________________ Fax #: __________________________________________________________________ Email (School email address only. No personal email addresses.): ___________________
Return by October 31 to: October 6, 2008 (Posted here Oct. 8) Subject: Training for Mandated Reporters of Child Neglect and Abuse The Michigan Departments of Education (MDE) is working collaboratively with the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Michigan Child Death Review Program in an effort to ensure that all teachers and school administrators are trained in the responsibilities and requirements of all mandated reporters. This need has recently been identified by the Child Death State Advisory Team as vital to the safety of children in Michigan. All school administrators and teachers are mandated reporters according to the Child Protection Law. Teachers and other school professionals are the front line of defense when it comes to protecting Michigan's children from child abuse and neglect. Some of your staff may have already been trained in these issues, however, updates are always being made to the Child Protection Law. In addition, staff turnover leads to a continued need for training. Due to these reasons, MDE recommends that each school administrator contact his/her local Child Protective Services office to schedule an inservice. The start of a new school year is an ideal time to review your policies and practice to ensure compliance with the Child Protection Law. Local DHS offices have been notified and are prepared to assist you. Local DHS office contact numbers can be found at www.michigan.gov/dhs. MDE and DHS staff are available to assist you should you have questions. Please contact Kim Kovalchick, MDE, at kovalchickk@michigan.gov or via phone at 517-241-4292; or Zoe Lyons, DHS, at lyonsz2@michigan.gov or via phone at 517-335-3475. Thank you for your continued commitment to the protection and well-being of Michigan's children. A student who is safe and healthy is a student who is ready to learn. Sincerely, Carol L. Wolenberg & Kathryne A. O'Grady September 30, 2008 (Posted here October 1) SUBJECT: Michigan School Support Person of the Year Award Program The State Board of Education and I are pleased to invite you to participate in the Michigan School Support Person of the Year Award Program (SSPOY). School support personnel are integral partners in ensuring optimal learning environments for our children. They make a huge difference each and every day. We believe it is important to recognize the great work these staffers do. The purpose of the SSPOY Award is to honor outstanding support personnel for their contributions to the success of the learning community and to focus public attention on the importance of school support personnel. Detailed information regarding the nomination and selection processes can be accessed on the Department’s website at: www.michigan.gov/sspoy. Nomination portfolios are due to regional coordinators on November 21, 2008. The timeline for the 2008-2009 program is included within the operations manual on the website. Questions regarding the SSPOY Program may be addressed to Ms. Jean M. Shane at shanej@michigan.gov or 517.241.2375. We are grateful to MEEMIC Insurance Company (www.meemic.com) for the corporate support it provides for this program. MEEMIC will provide a monetary gift to the SSPOY’s school and also to the state-level finalists’ schools. I encourage you to join the effort to recognize exemplary school support staff. Please pass this information along to your school parents, teachers, and human resource directors. Thank you. On September 11, 2008 changes to the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education rules were filed with the Secretary of State. These rules take immediate effect. The Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services is in the process of producing a document that will incorporate all of the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education and pertinent federal regulations. A complete copy of the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education will be forthcoming from the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules. The compiled rules are not yet available. When they are, the Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE/EIS) will post the complete set on the OSE/EIS website. Friday September 26, 2008 The Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services will conduct public hearings to receive public comment on the following: - Provision of Programs and Services to Incarcerated Youth in City and County Jails Please share the attached public hearing notice and proposed rules to interested community members, especially parents of children with a disability. ______________________________________________________________________________ October 2008 Purpose: This procedure addressed how incarcerated youth in county and city jails who have an individualized education program (IEP) under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will receive their educational services. Proposed Procedure: As the guarantor of the implementation of all viable IEPs, a State Educational Agency (SEA) must have a procedure in place that will account for the offer of special education programs and services to incarcerated youth in county and city jails. Therefore, the required provision of educational services must be completed by all Intermediate School Districts (ISD) and Regional Educational Service Areas (RESA) and submitted to the Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE-EIS) for approval through their respective ISD Plans. The OSE-EIS recommends that the following steps be taken to assure compliance with this provision: 1. Contact the office of the chief enforcement officer (Sheriff, Chief of Police, etc.) of the county and city jails to apprise them of the IDEA requirements. 2. Develop a plan with the office of the chief enforcement officer that will ensure that the ISD is made aware when an incarcerated youth with a viable IEP arrives at the county and city jails. 3. Develop a plan for the offer/provision of educational services to the incarcerated youth to the extent possible with respect to § 300.324(2) of the IDEA implementing regulations. Federal IDEA Citations: FAPE Requirements § 300.101 Free appropriate public education (FAPE) (a) General. A free appropriate public education must be available to all children residing in the State between the ages of 3 and 21, inclusive, including children with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school, as provided for in § 300.530(d). The provision of these educational services applies not only to state and local juvenile facilities, but also to adult correctional facilities as noted by § 300.102. § 300.2 Applicability of this part to State and local agencies. (a) States. This part applies to each State that receives payments under Part B of the Act, as defined in § 300.4. (b) Public agencies within the State. The provisions of this part— (1) Apply to all political subdivisions of the State that are involved in the education of children with disabilities, including: (iv) State and local juvenile and adult correctional facilities;… September 25, 2008 Subject: Competitive Bid Thresholds, FY 2009 The purpose of this letter is to communicate changes to the base amount above which competitive bids must be obtained for remodeling, procurement of supplies, materials, and equipment. Sections 623a, 1267, and 1274 of the Revised School Code establish a base above which competitive bids must be obtained and provide for an increase in the base that corresponds with increases in the Consumer Price Index. The fiscal year 2008-09 base for Section 1267 pertaining to construction, renovation, repair, or remodeling is $20,959. The new base for Sections 623a and 1274 pertaining to procurement of supplies, materials, and equipment is $20,488. Our analysis shows that the average Consumer Price Index for the 12 month period ending August 31, 2007, was 204.87. The similar average for the 12 months ending August 31, 2008, was 213.61, a percentage increase of 4.26%. The fiscal year 2008-09 base of $20,102 for Section 1267 items increases by $857 to $20,959. The base of $19,650 for Sections 623a and 1274 items increases by $838 to $20,488. Section 620(1) of the Revised School Code (MCL 380.620(1)) establishes a base above which travel expenses paid with intermediate funds must be posted to the ISD website. Section 620(1) provides for an increase in the base that corresponds with increases in the Consumer Price Index. For fiscal year 2008-09, the new base amount for travel is $3,428 (3,288 x 1.046). There are changes to the limits on the value of awards given by an ISD to an employee, volunteer, or pupil, as well as the value above which an ISD administrator may not accept a gift from a vendor or potential vendor. Section 634 places an upper limit on the value of awards given by an ISD to an employee, volunteer, or pupil, as well as the value above which an ISD administrator may not accept a gift from a vendor or potential vendor. The fiscal year 2008-09 cap of $111 for awards increases by $5 to $116. The cap of $49 for gifts increases by $2 to $51 (49 x 1.046). Please note that all of the thresholds and caps mentioned in this communication are effective as of this date and are in effect until the next communication revises them. If you have any questions, please contact Phil Boone, Office of State Aid and School Finance, at (517) 335-4059 or boonep2@michigan.gov.
Wednesday September 24, 2008 SUBJECT: Notification of State-Imposed Rules The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires each state that receives funds under the IDEA to identify, in writing, to local educational agencies located in the state any such rule, regulation, or policy as a state-imposed requirement that is not required by the IDEA and federal regulations (20 U.S.C. 1407(a); 34 CFR § 300.199). The following are Michigan’s state-imposed requirements:
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Ann Omans, Supervisor, Program Accountability, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services, at (517) 373-0924, or via email at omansa@michigan.gov. September 17, 2008 FROM: Sally Vaughn, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer SUBJECT: Fees and Consequences for Late or Inappropriately Returned Assessment Materials Late shipments of test answer documents and/or documents with missing barcoded labels continue to delay the reporting of assessment results statewide, including those for the vast majority of schools and districts that follow instructions and return materials in a prompt and complete manner. Accordingly, the Department of Education finds it necessary to implement consequences for those few schools and districts that return documents late or inappropriately. Summarized in the table on the following page are financial and reporting consequences to be applied to intermediate and local school districts, public school academies, and private schools, related to assessments administered by the Office of Educational Assessment & Accountability (OEAA), when test materials are returned late or without proper barcoded labels affixed. Please see individual assessment schedules for exact ship dates. Answer documents returned 15 days or more after the scheduled ship date will not be processed and no results will be available, but they must still be returned. All secure testing materials also must be returned. These fees become effective for the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 assessments and all subsequent assessments. When it has been determined that fees for late return or missing barcoded labels will be charged to a school/district, the school/district must provide a purchase order via fax or a purchase order number via email to the appropriate contractor. Schools/Districts that fail to provide a purchase order or fail to pay an invoice from the appropriate contractor will have current and/or future results withheld until payment is made.
** Although no late fee or processing fee will be charged, all materials MUST be returned. Failure to return materials may result in a substantial fine levied against school by Michigan Department of Education. While it is not a pleasant task to implement fees or consequences, it is not fair to delay statewide results due to a small number of schools and districts failing to meet required deadlines. We hope the number of late and inappropriately returned documents will be significantly reduced, enabling contractors to have the data necessary to produce results in a more timely manner. Thanks to all of you for the good work you do on behalf of Michigan students. If you have questions regarding this memorandum, please email OEAA@michigan.gov or call our toll-free number 877-560-8378. Friday, Spetember 19, 2008 Subject: IDEA Public Reporting The federal regulations implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 require public reporting on the performance of each local education agency on the targets established in the State Performance Plan (SPP). The district-level data for 2006-07 is available by going to the MDE, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/ose-eis. The United States Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs requires that each state report 2006-07 data for Part B (3-21 year olds) Indicators 1-5 and 8-13 and Part C (birth through age 2 and called Early On in Michigan) Indicators 1-2 and 4-8. The data on the Web site can be viewed by district for each indicator or by downloading an Excel file containing the data for all indicators and districts. Individuals who do not have access to the Internet and need to obtain a paper copy of the information for their district can contact their intermediate school district, local district, or contact the Center for Educational Networking at (800) 593-9146. Specific questions regarding public reporting should be addressed to the following:
Lori Schulze Thursday September 18, 2008 FROM: Sally Vaughn, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer Margaret Ropp, Ph.D. Director, Center for Educational Performance and Information SUBJECT: New Standards for Collecting and Reporting Racial and Ethnic Data The U.S. Department of Education (USED) has released new guidance on maintaining, collecting, and reporting racial and ethnic data on students and staff. A copy of the guidance from the USED can be accessed from the USED website at http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2007-4/101907c.pdf. In order to comply with the guidance, some Michigan school districts will need to change how race and ethnicity data are collected and reported. The implementation of this guidance will bring education data collecting and reporting into alignment with the U.S. Census and other federal agencies. The new guidance separates an individual’s race and ethnicity into two distinct categories. The guidance mandates the collection of racial and ethnic data using a two-part question. The first part asks whether the respondent is Hispanic/Latino. The second part asks whether the respondent is from one or more races, using the following five racial groups: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and White. The required implementation date for the guidance is the start of the 2010-2011 school year. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) are currently clarifying these requirements with USED and examining how Michigan may implement the new guidance with minimal impact to school districts. In the next few months, you will receive a follow-up letter with more detailed information concerning how Michigan will implement the guidance. Please watch for this important communication item. As always, thank you for your continued collaboration with CEPI and MDE. September 18, 2008 FROM: Sally Vaughn, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer SUBJECT: Out-of-School Time Professional Development Opportunity The Michigan Department of Education is pleased to announce the Michigan After-school Collaborative (MAC) Conference to be held October 10-11, 2008. The MAC Conference is for Michigan’s out-of-school time community including teachers, on-site staff, administrators, child care providers, and parents. The MAC Conference is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Education in collaboration with state and local agencies, associations, and organizations. The conference emphasizes the importance of integrating services through collaboration among out-of-school time programs, public schools, community agencies and families. The goal of the conference is to provide participants with a format to discuss current information regarding research studies, collaborative planning, teaching strategies, ideas and techniques, and to affirm the importance of establishing a rich, supportive environment and high-quality services for school-age children and youth, and their families. Registration is now being accepted at www.miafterschool.com. Registration deadline is October 1, 2008. For further details regarding the conference please visit: www.miafterschool.com or contact Amanda Stoel, Department Technician, Office of Early Childhood Education and Family Services at (517) 241-4290 or by e-mail at stoela@michigan.gov. Monday, September 8, 2008 FROM: Sally Vaughn, Ph.D., Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer SUBJECT: Deaf Interpreters Act It has come to our attention that there is some confusion regarding the recently revised Deaf Interpreters Act (Act). The Act did not change Rule 340.1793a of the Administrative Rules for Special Education. You may continue to employ persons under Rule 340.1793a until new rules are promulgated. However, school districts need to be aware of upcoming changes to interpreter requirements that will affect interpreters in public schools. The new Act defines a "qualified interpreter" as a person who is certified through the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or certified by the Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DODHH). This standard will become the minimum standard for all interpreters in the state upon promulgation of rules by the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) and the DODHH. As a result, a person who only graduates from a sign language interpreter program but who is not certified by DODHH will not be able to work as an interpreter for the deaf in a public school. It is suggested that persons who are employed under part (c) of Rule 340.1793a begin to take steps to meet the "qualified interpreter" standards outlined in the Act. The DLEG and DODHH are charged with promulgating new rules, & that govern procedures for application, testing, revocation, suspension or limitation of certification, continuing education, renewals, and grievances, minimum credential requirements and levels, and minimum standards of practice. The rules promulgated under the DLEG and DODHH will be coordinated with the Department of Education's (MDE's) Rule 340.1793a of the Administrative Code. It is anticipated that the MDE and DODHH will propose that the new rules required under the Act and a revised Rule 340.1793a will be presented for public comment at the same time. The MDE is considering a new rule that would require all educational interpreters to pass the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA). Currently employed educational interpreters are encouraged to become familiar with the EIPA. Information regarding the EIPA may be found at the following website: http://www.classroominterpreting.org/EIPA/index.asp. If you have further questions regarding this issue, please contact Dr. Joanne Winkelman at 517/373-1696, or via email at winkelmanj@michigan.gov. DATE: September 2, 2008 SUBJECT: Annual Notice of Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Information Please find below the hyperlink to the United States Department of Education (USED) annual notice of responsibilities under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). Also included are links to enclosures for model notification to parents and model consent opt-out forms. Please share this information with parents, students and pertinent program directors. We hope that you will find this information helpful in protecting parents' and students' privacy rights under FERPA and PPRA. http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/doc/pprasuper.doc http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/doc/ferparights.doc http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/doc/ppraconsent.doc http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/doc/ppranotice.doc http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/doc/directoryinfo.doc Please note that the U.S. Department of Education is in the process of amending the FERPA regulations to clarify issues of concern to many in the education community. The link to the Notice of Proposed Rule-making that discusses the proposed changes is http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/proprule/2008-1/032408a.html. Final regulations will be published in the Federal Register in December or January and a notice will be sent to advise you once the changes to FERPA are finalized. In addition, please note the School Safety and FERPA link on the USED web site at http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/safeschools/. Understanding the law empowers school officials to act quickly and decisively when problems arise. The information contained at this link will hopefully provide you with some helpful information as you strive to keep your schools safe. August 29, 2008 (Resent September 3, 2008) SUBJECT: Common Data Reporting Errors The purpose of this memorandum is to assist districts in correctly reporting data on students with disabilities. Preliminary examinations of data submitted reveal that some districts are incorrectly completing and/or not reporting all data on students with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requires states report all students receiving an initial evaluation for special education programs/services and if the initial evaluation and Individualized Education Program (IEP) was completed within the state mandated timeline or agreed-upon written extension. The OSEP also requires states to report all in-school suspensions of 1/2 school day or more of students with disabilities, and to report students who have an IEP that places them in another district for special education programs/services. The Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE/EIS) collects this information using the Michigan Compliance Information System (MI-CIS) and the Single Record Student Database (SRSD). In order to assist districts in properly reporting these data, please note the following: Fields 39a - c and Fields 134-135 in the SRSD Technical Manual Field 39a - Parental Consent to Evaluate and Special Education Timeline to Complete Initial IEP. Some districts have incorrectly reported all students receiving evaluations and IEPs. Report in this field only students who received an initial evaluation and the initial IEP was held within the 30 school day timeline or mutually agreed-upon written extension. If the initial evaluation and initial IEP were not completed within the timeline or agreed-upon written extension, select the code that best matches why the student was not evaluated/initial IEP not completed on time. Field 39b - Result of Initial IEP. Report in this field the outcome of the initial evaluation and IEP (i.e., eligible, not eligible, initial IEP not held within the timeline or agreed-upon written extension because of the reason identified in Field 39a). This field must be completed for each student evaluated for special education programs/services. Field 39c - School Days Beyond Evaluation and Completion of Initial IEP. If the evaluation and initial IEP were not completed within the 30 school day timeline or agreed-upon written extension, report the number of additional school days that occurred before the evaluation and initial IEP were completed. Field 134 - Number of Times/Occurrences of In-School Suspensions. In-school suspensions are instances in which a student is temporarily removed from his/her regular or special education classroom(s) for disciplinary purposes, but remains in school under the supervision of qualified school personnel. Districts must include all in-school suspensions of a half school day in length and longer. Do not include suspensions that are less than half a school day. Data reported in Field 134 are cumulative for the entire school year. Field 135 - Accumulated Days of In-School Suspensions. Specify for the school year the accumulated days that the student was subject to an in-school suspension. Districts must report all in-school suspensions of 1/2 school day in length or longer - do not report in-school suspensions of less than 1/2 school day. Field 50 in the December Count and SRSD Technical Manuals: Field 50: Placement in a District by Another District IEP. 1 Out-of-District Student/Non-Resident of the Operating District. Report students who have an IEP that places the student in a center program, or a cooperative agreement program designed specifically for students with disabilities receiving special education programs/services. The placement of an out-of-district student was an IEP placement decision mutually agreed upon by the resident and operating district. Do NOT report students who moved into a district or who entered into a school district by a school-of-choice program. If you have additional questions, please contact James Nuttall, Ph.D., at (517) 335-0454, or via electronic mail at nuttallj@michigan.gov. August 28, 2008 FROM: Carol Wolenberg, Deputy Superintendent SUBJECT: Required Certifications The purpose of this notice is to provide you with information regarding the submission procedure for certifying your district's compliance for constitutionally protected prayer, eye protective devices, and Constitution Day. All certifications are due September 25, 2008. Constitutionally Protected Prayer The U.S. Department of Education (USED) requires that each local or intermediate school district or public school academy, as a condition of receiving funds under any portion of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB), annually certify, to the state agency, that it has no policy that prevents, or otherwise denies participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in public schools. MDE is required by November 1, 2008, to provide the USED a list of all districts not providing MDE with this certification. A district's failure to submit the required certification may result in the district's loss of funding under NCLB. Eye Protective Devices State law requires all public schools and public school academies are required to provide adequate eye protective devices for students enrolled in courses where danger to the eye exists [MCL 380.1288]. Administrative Code Rules governing Eye Protective Devices require that all public schools and public school academies certify compliance with this requirement. Questions regarding this program may be directed to Carol Easlick at 517-373-0764 or EaslickC@michigan.gov. Constitution Day Public Law 108-447 requires all educational institutions receiving Federal funds to hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17th for the students served by the educational institution. Questions regarding this program may be directed to Karen R. Todorov at 517-373-2893 or todorok@michigan.gov. Each district must submit all three certifications through Michigan Electronic Grants System (MEGS). NOTE: Individual school buildings DO NOT have to certify in MEGS. The instructions are as follows:
" Read and verify the statement by using the "I Agree" button. The MEGS submission outlined above will meet the requirements of the statutes. Questions regarding this electronic process may be directed to Grants Administration and Coordination at 517-373-1806. August 21, 2008 FROM: Sally Vaughn, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer SUBJECT: Education for Homeless Children and Youth 2008-2009 Mini Grant Application The Michigan Department of Education is pleased to announce the availability of the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Mini Grant application for the 2008-09 school year. These grants are funded under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act, Title X, Part C of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Education for Homeless Children and Youth mini grants are in the amount of $10,000 and will be awarded competitively to local school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies for projects that:
Direct services to students may include the following: supplementary instruction, materials and supplies, referral services, immunizations, transportation, expediting the acquisition of student records, and the cost of other needs of homeless students that school districts may not be able to provide. Direct services to students do not include professional development or parent education activities, even though such activities are necessary to achieve the purpose of the grant. Education for Homeless Children and Youth grant applications must be completed and submitted using the attached application. The application form is also available on the homeless website at www.michigan.gov/homeless. The deadline for the submission of the mini grant application is 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2008. An application technical assistance webinar is scheduled as follows: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 9:30 a.m. Details for the webinar will be posted at www.michigan.gov/homeless. The webinar will provide information about the application process as well as provide assistance for the proper use of McKinney-Vento funds. If you have any questions about the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Mini Grant, please contact Sam Sinicropi, in the Office of School Improvement, at 517-241-1162.
August 13, 2008 The Michigan Department of Education is pleased to announce a competitive Cultural Access Grant. Approximately $200,000 has been made available through Section 99P of the State School Aid Act of 2008 and 2009. The purpose of this grant is to provide funds to school districts for field learning visits to cultural institutions. Students in grades K - 8, will have opportunities to visit locations that feature art, music, science, Michigan history, or related experiences. The visits are intended to be an extension of the student's classroom program. Eligible applicants must have at least 50% of the pupils in membership meet the income eligibility criteria for free breakfast, lunch, or milk. Application, instructions, and a listing of eligible districts are posted on the Grants web page at http://michigan.gov/mde-grants under the What's New section. Questions regarding the Cultural Access Grant may be directed to Dwight Sinila, Education Consultant, Office of Grants Administration & Coordination, (517) 241-4657, or sinilad@michigan.gov. August 13, 2008 FROM: Carol Wolenberg, Deputy Superintendent The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-265), amended the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require direct certification. This memorandum provides further details regarding the direct certification information that you received from me in a memo dated June 12, 2008. The Direct Certification Report will allow Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to directly certify students who are members of households receiving assistance under the Food Stamp Program as eligible for free school meals or free milk, without further application, based on an electronic data match with the Single Record Student Database (SRSD) and the food stamp eligibility data. In SY 2008-09, the direct certification is required for all LEAs that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or Special Milk Program (SMP). SRSD authorized users, with the Unique Identification Code (UIC) resolver role, can access this report, which can be printed or downloaded as a data set. This file then can be imported into your local student information system and point-of-sale system. The Direct Certification Report is now available in the SRSD. For more information, access the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) website at: http://www.michigan.gov/cepi, select MEIS Data Services, and then click on Direct Certification Report link. Please review the Direct Certification Report User's Guide prior to accessing the report. Remember, for School Year 2008-09, direct certification is required for all LEAs. For questions, please contact CEPI Customer Support by e-mail: cepi@michigan.gov or by phone at 517-335-0505. Questions regarding the NSLP Direct Certification requirement may be directed to MDE-Directcert@michigan.gov. August 7, 2008 Michigan Merit Exam Scores Show Slight Increases This Year LANSING - Scores increased slightly this year on the state's high school test, the Michigan Merit Exam (MME), the Michigan Department of Education announced today. High school juniors were tested this past spring on the MME, which includes the college entrance exam, the ACT. Compared to the results from spring 2007, the percentage of Michigan public school 11th graders who scored at the proficient or advanced levels improved slightly in the subjects of reading, writing, English language arts, and science. There was no change in the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced in math. There was a slight decline in the students who scored proficient or advanced in social studies. "We are seeing the benefits of a renewed emphasis on high school achievement," said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus. "Schools, parents, and students are becoming more aware that high school achievement is the launch pad to post-secondary success and greater opportunity for a high-paying career." For each subject area, the percentages of 11th grade students achieving proficient or advanced performance levels compared to 11th graders from the previous year were as follows: Reading 62% up from 60%; writing 41% up from 40%; English language arts 52% up from 51%; mathematics 46% in both years; science 57% up from 56%; and social studies 80% down from 83%. The MME includes a national ACT college entrance exam. On average, Michigan students who took the ACT as part of this state test had the same composite score (18.8) as last year's students on this test. "The MME, with the inclusion of the ACT, is a rigorous test and all students have to be prepared with the knowledge to excel," said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. "As the requirements of the new high school curriculum continue to be implemented, we expect to see students' scores improve." The state's new graduation requirements went into effect beginning with last year's freshman class, and are not reflective in this past spring's MME, Flanagan explained. "Once all students are given the opportunity to become proficient in subjects like algebra, where districts are developing different ways for kids to learn in a traditional classroom or a career pathway, we will see this commitment by schools and students rewarded with greater success for all kids," he said. Schools receive a variety of printed and electronic reports for the MME, including Parent Reports that show their student's performance on the statewide assessment. Schools are to make available to parents the printed Parent Reports when students return to class this fall, or to mail the Parent Reports home upon receipt. Parents are encouraged to contact their school's Guidance Office if they do not receive their student's printed Parent Report by mid-September. The Michigan Merit Exam is given each spring to Michigan 11th grade students. Completing the MME qualifies the student for the $4,000 Michigan Promise scholarship, administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury. To qualify for the $4,000 scholarship, students must take the complete MME and receive scores in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. To qualify for up-front installment payments from the Department of Treasury, students must achieve the Proficient or Advanced level in those same subjects. They will receive $1,000 during their freshman and sophomore years of college, and then receive the remaining $2,000 after successfully completing two years of college. In addition to enabling students to earn the $4,000 scholarship, taking the MME provides students with a free college-reportable ACT score, accepted by a vast majority of colleges in the United States. They also receive an ACT WorkKeys score for employability skills related to reading for information and applied mathematics. MME scores are divided into four performance levels: Advanced, Proficient, Partially Proficient, and Not Proficient. Students who place in either the Advanced or Proficient levels are considered to be "proficient" in that subject. Those who place in the Partially Proficient or Not Proficient levels are deemed to be "not proficient." While individual student scores are protected by a federal right to privacy law, summary data about an entire school or district is available to the public at www.michigan.gov/mme. From there, click on "MME Test Results" on the left side of the screen. Documents available online for Spring 2008 MME are Demographic Reports, Frequently Asked Questions, a School and District Data File, School and District Summary Reports, Statewide Results, and a Michigan Promise Scholarship Fact Sheet. To view complete Michigan Merit Exam results, go to www.michigan.gov/mde and click on the MME results link. Click on the Frequently Asked Questions for more details. Michigan Merit Exam Results To Be Released Thursday, August 7 August 6, 2008 WHAT: The results of the Spring 2008 Michigan Merit Exam (MME) will be released to the public. WHEN: Thursday, August 7, 2008, 10:00 a.m. WHERE: Accessible from the Michigan Department of Education website: www.michigan.gov/mde CONTACT: For more information, contact Martin Ackley, Director of Communications, Michigan Department of Education at (517) 241-4395 Granholm Signs Budget Increasing Funding for Schools; Targets Dropout Rate, Early Childhood Education LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation to provide funding for Michigan's K-12 schools. The fiscal year 2009 appropriations bill continues Granholm's commitment to invest in our public schools, expand access to early childhood education, and target the state's dropout problem by investing in smaller, more relevant high schools. Granholm also signed the fiscal year 2009 general government budget to provide funding for the Departments of Attorney General, Secretary of State, Civil Rights, Information Technology, Management and Budget, and Treasury as well as the Executive Office and Legislature. "Michigan's economic future is dependent on our ability to provide every child with a quality education, and this budget helps move us toward that goal," said Granholm. "By investing in early childhood education and high schools that use strong relationships and real-world rigor to help kids succeed, we are investing in Michigan's future." Highlights of the fiscal year 2009 school aid budget include: " $13.4 billion, including $11.8 billion in state funding, for more than 800 districts and public school academies; " an increase of $56 to $112 per pupil based on the equity formula created in the current-year budget to continue closing the funding gap between poorer and wealthier school districts; " $15 million for the 21st Century Schools Fund to help Michigan school districts replace large, impersonal high schools that have low academic achievement and high dropout rates, with small high schools that use relationships, discipline, and relevance to help at-risk kids achieve; " an additional $10 million in funding for the states Great Start Readiness programs that provide more than 30,000 Michigan children with access to quality pre-school; " funding for after-school and summer math programs to help middle school students prepare for the new high school curriculum. Granholm called the investment in the 21st Century Schools Fund "the next critical step" for public education in Michigan. Previously, the governor secured funding for six early college high schools which focus on preparing students for jobs in the health care industry. The schools are created through a partnership between school districts, higher education institutions, and major health care providers. These early college high schools prepare students for jobs in high-growth areas of our economy. The governor's education agenda also has included giving every child access to a $4,000 Michigan Promise scholarship to use toward a college degree or technical certification, a new rigorous high school curriculum, and college admissions tests for every high school student. "As the 21st century economy changes, our education system must change with it," said Granholm. "Innovations like early college high schools and small high schools can help students succeed by keeping them engaged in learning." The fiscal year 2009 general government budget provides $3.2 billion of which $668.2 million is general fund. A large percentage of the general government budget is dedicated to preserving public safety, including $1.1 billion for revenue sharing for local governments. The budget includes a 2 percent increase in statutory revenue sharing payments. TO: Local and Intermediate School Superintendents, Public School Academy Directors, Nonpublic School Administrators, and Residential Child Care Institutions FROM: Carol Wolenberg, Deputy Superintendent DATE: August 4, 2008 SUBJECT: Child Nutrition Application Program for School Meals Program Annually, each School Food Authority (SFA) is required to complete a Child Nutrition Application Program (CNAP) Renewal for the School Meals Program. In order to continue to participate in the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Afterschool Snack or Special Milk Programs for School Year 2008-09, the CNAP Renewal 2009 must be completed online by September 5, 2008. The website login for completing CNAP is now open and accessible through the MEIS home page at: www.michigan.gov/meis. 1. Scroll down to Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) and click on Child Nutrition Application Program (CNAP). 2. Log into CNAP with your MEIS user name and password. 3. To initiate a 2009 application, click on the drop-down arrow located under Start an Application for a New Year. If your agency needs to authorize a new designated individual to access CNAP, the CNP Security Agreement must be completed. This form is located at: www.michigan.gov/meis. 1. Scroll down to Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) and click on Child Nutrition Program Security Agreement. 2. Print, complete, and fax the form to Ruby Zavala at 517-373-4022. Please check with your staff to make certain that CNAP 2009 has been completed by September 5, 2008. Questions regarding this memo may be directed to the School Nutrition Training and Programs office at: MDE-CNAP-SchoolMeals@michigan.gov or 517-373-3347. DATE: July 22, 2008 FROM: Carol Wolenberg, Deputy Superintendent SUBJECT: Don't Lose Valuable Commodity Food Dollars: Responsibilities for Schools Sending Commodities to Manufacturers for Further Processing Schools are facing challenging times when it comes to purchasing food for their various child nutrition programs. It has come to our attention that not all schools are utilizing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) commodity food to the fullest extent possible. Districts are leaving inventories of beef, chicken, and cheese at manufacturers and are not arranging for the processing of these commodities into processed products. The purpose of this memorandum is to alert you to (1) the consequences for underutilization of these products and (2) strategies to assist you in taking full advantage of items available for your use. According to federal regulation 7 CFR part 250.30, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has the responsibility for monitoring the commodity inventories held at manufacturers for further processing. No more than a six-month inventory level, based on the state's average monthly usage, is recommended to be on hand. Currently, millions of pounds of 2007/2008 commodity inventory belonging to schools in Michigan remain at manufacturers. These balances are available to be carried over into 2008/2009. Since schools in Michigan are preordering their commodities through the consortia for school year 2008/2009, it will be necessary for each school to order commodities according to its usage level, and to incorporate commodity finished products from the selected manufacturers into its monthly menu cycle. USDA has issued the following information regarding Inventory Levels at Further Processors in the Food Distribution National Policy Memorandum FD-064. "State agencies should work with manufacturers to identify the recipients who are not utilizing their commodity inventory or who have more inventory than they can realistically utilize in a reasonable period of time. The State will transfer underutilized inventory to another recipient who will use it. The recipient losing inventory should not expect compensation for the value of the commodity that is transferred." As school food service programs prepare to start the school year 2008/2009, it is important to menu a variety of products from the manufacturers that are processing commodities for schools. It is the responsibility of the school to use commodities effectively to reduce meal costs during the school year. USDA may require MDE to transfer excess balances, so please be certain to order your entire entitlement. The following are recommendations that can be used by schools to effectively utilize commodities:
To track school balances of raw commodities at each manufacturer, go to the Commodity Usage Reports at the following websites: www.k12foodservice.com for K-12 Foodservice School food service staff can request a login and password to access the commodity balance information for their school at the home page for each of these websites. Each school is responsible for ordering commodity products from the designated distributor contracted by the consortium so that the school draws down the raw commodities at each manufacturer. Training sessions for the use of the K12 Foodservice and Processor Link websites will be provided prior to the start of the Annual Conference and Trade Show for School Food Service scheduled at the Boyne Mountain Resort on October 23 and 24, 2008. Registration information for this conference will be available at the Grants Coordination and School Support website under "What's New" after September 1, 2008. If your school district's food service staff requires additional training to use the above websites or needs answers to other commodity questions, please contact Jayme Priest in the Fiscal Management and Food Distribution Unit at (517) 335-3792 or by e-mail at priestj@michigan.gov July 7, 2008 FROM: Carol Wolenberg, Deputy Superintendent SUBJECT: Administrative Policy Memorandum No. 6 (Automatic Eligibility for Free Meal Benefits to All Children Enrolled in Head Start) This administrative memorandum provides guidance regarding amendments to the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) that extends automatic eligibility for free meal benefits to all children enrolled in Head Start and participating in child nutrition programs. School Food Authorities that served reimbursable meals to Head Start children who were claimed as paid or reduced may submit amended claims for meals served on December 12, 2007, and beyond to change these meals to free. All claim amendments must be submitted to the Michigan Department of Education by September 12, 2008. Please go to the following link for information on Automatic Eligibility for Free Meal Benefits Extended to All Children Enrolled in Head Start: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/SY07-08_6.Automatic_Eligibility_for_Head_Start_240877_7.doc Questions regarding this may be directed to the School Nutrition Training and Programs office at 517-373-3347 June 23, 2008 SUBJECT: Maximize Your Commodity Value and Usage You are probably fully aware that prices for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) donated food commodities for use in programs such as the National School Lunch Program continue to escalate. This causes your commodity entitlement dollars to support less of the costs of your school's lunch and breakfast programs. We understand the impact this is having on operational costs. Here are some helpful tips from USDA that can help your school district maximize on the commodity value and usage:
In addition, there is a new USDA website that has resources for school nutrition professionals, the media, and parents. Users can find a variety of fact sheets, recipes, talking points, and other resources with information about commodities. By clicking on the new logo at the USDA website, http://www.commodityfoods.usda.gov, schools will be able to access accurate and timely information about USDA commodity programs and commodity foods. To track school balances of commodities at processors, a spreadsheet with pounds of raw commodities used each month, as well as the commodity value of the remaining entitlement throughout the school year, is available in the Sales Verification and Balance Reports at the following websites www.k12foodservice.com and https://processorlink.com/. The school food service staff can request a login and password to access the commodity balance information for their school at the home page for each of the websites. Each school is responsible for ordering the commodity products from their distributors in order to draw down the raw commodities at each processor. By clicking on the manufacturer logo at the K12 food service and processor link websites, schools can access the menu planners that are available from the manufacturers that are participating in the commodity processing. The planners can be of great assistance to the schools for determining which commodities and the quantity of each commodity that are needed for the coming school year. If your school food service staff needs additional training to use the websites, contact Jayme Priest in the Fiscal Management and Food Distribution Unit at (517) 335-3792 or by e-mail at priestj@michigan.gov.
May 30, 2008 Subject: Collection of Michigan School Readiness Program Participation for the 2008-2009 School Year The Michigan Department of Education (MDE), in coordination with the Center for Performance and Information (CEPI), will be initiating changes in the way Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and private, community-based organizations submit Michigan School Readiness Program (MSRP) participation data. This memo is an alert that collection procedures will be changing sometime after October 2008. The changes in the MSRP participation collection are intended to provide a timely and accurate collection of data that enhances the funding process and will provide MDE with the ability to evaluate the progress of students that participate in the program. MSRP data collection changes will include:
" The collection will remain open into the Spring of 2009. Additional information regarding the implementation of the changes in the collection of MSRP data will be forthcoming the Fall of 2008. Any questions, please contact Gary Schafer at 517-335-2875 or schaferg@michigan.gov. May 13, 2008 FROM: Sally Vaughn, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer SUBJECT: Reporting Guidance For Homeless Students Served By The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act This memo is to clarify reporting requirements for homeless students served by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento). As stated in McKinney-Vento, homeless students remain eligible for homeless services for the entire school year - including their ability to continue to receive free lunch. Therefore, a homeless student, even if he/she has moved into permanent housing, should be reported as homeless for the entire academic year. There has been confusion in the past about reporting only those students who are experiencing homelessness on reporting day, rather than those who have received homeless services and have since moved into permanent housing. Reporting options for field 34 in the Single Record Student Databse (SRSD) are to report the living situation of the student during the duration of homelessness, even if the student has since gained permanent housing. The field options are: The type of temporary residence/shelter where the student resided during homelessness:
Proper reporting of homeless students is essential in qualifying for the level of funding that we have received in the past years. In turn, the Homeless Education Office at the Michigan Department of Education can use the funds towards grant funding. As emphasized in McKinney-Vento, the most stable environment for a student experiencing homelessness, even if for a short while, is in school. A family undergoing economic hardship may have to break a lease agreement or move again--an all too common occurrence. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requires all intermediate and local school districts, including public school academies, to appoint a local education agency homeless liaison. For additional resources, the Homeless Education Office at the Michigan Department of Education is hosting the annual Homeless Education Conference on September 15 & 16, 2008, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Michigan State University in East Lansing. The conference is for all who are involved with homeless youth. If you have any questions, please contact Sam Sinicropi in the Office of School Improvement, at 517-241-1162, or email to sinicropis@michigan.gov. May 13, 2008 SUBJECT: Reporting Free and Reduced Eligibility, Fall 2008 The Michigan Department of Education (MDE), in coordination with the Center for Educational The change in reporting free and reduced eligibility is intended to provide a single source of data Free and Reduced data collection changes will include:
Over the next few months, CEPI and MDE will send additional information via e-mail regarding |
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© Michigan Association of Public School Academies 215 South Washington Square - Suite 135 - Lansing, MI 48933 P: 517-374-9167 F: 517-374-9197 E: info@visionforanewway.org |
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