Michigan Department of Education Welcomes Public to Review and Comment on State's Federal Flexibility Waiver Request

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has opened for public review and comment its proposed federal waiver application of ten requirements established by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001.

Hunger Doesn’t Take A Summer Vacation

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is looking for community sponsors to run summer food programs to prevent more than 552,000 children in Michigan from going hungry when school lunchrooms close for the summer.

College Goal Sunday Helps Students, Families File for Financial Aid

Hundreds of volunteers will help college-bound Michigan students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA at more than two dozen, statewide College Goal Sunday events February 12, 2012.

MDE Receives USDA Grants to Improve Food Security for Kids During Summer Months

Michigan will continue to provide and study innovative ways to address the critical need of providing healthy nutrition during the summer months to low-income children.

MDE Delivers Student MEAP Results to Schools

School districts in Michigan received their fall 2011 MEAP student-level results last December, allowing teachers to review and direct individualized focus to students.

Library of Michigan’s 2012 Michigan Notable Books Reflect Our State’s Legacy and Perseverance

On January 3, 2012, the Library of Michigan announced the list of the 2012 Michigan Notable Books; 20 books highlighting Michigan people, places, and events.

Flanagan Responds to Michigan's Exclusion from the Federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant

The following is a statement from state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan, in response to Michigan not being selected to receive a federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant:

State Board of Education Makes Budget Priority Recommendations for 2012

On a unanimous, bi-partisan basis, the State Board of Education recently approved its education priorities for Governor Rick Snyder and the Legislature to consider as they formulate next year’s budget, recommending "a significant portion on any budget surplus be invested in pre-K, K-12, and higher education."

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan Releases Statement on the Passage of House Bill 4163

The following is a statement from State Superintendent Mike Flanagan on the final passage of House Bill 4163:

PBS Newshour Video Details Michigan Efforts to Prevent Dropout

The PBS National Newshour broadcast a piece on dropout prevention in the Detroit area on Friday, Nov. 25. 

State Announces 2010-2011 Schools "Beating the Odds"

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) recently released a list of 123 "Beating the Odds" schools that are outperforming schools with similar risk factors and demographic composition.

State Provides Retrospective Impact of New Cut Scores To Prepare Districts and Schools for Implementation This School Year

To assist districts and schools in transitioning to new state assessment cut scores, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) today released the past four years of Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) and Michigan Merit Exam (MME) data, retroactively applying the new cut scores adopted by the State Board of Education in September.

Novi Public Library Wins 2011 State Librarian's Excellence Award for Exceptional, Innovative Service

State Librarian Nancy Robertson recently announced that the Novi Public Library is the recipient of the 2011 State Librarian's Excellence Award for superior customer service. The Library of Michigan Foundation annually gives this prestigious honor, which includes a trophy and $2,000 in privately-raised funds used to enhance library service, to one Michigan library.

Traverse City West High School Teacher Receives National Milken Educator Award

Ms. Juleen Jenkins-Whall, a 10th grade chemistry teacher at Traverse City West High School in the Traverse City Area Public Schools District, received news today of a $25,000 cash award—no strings attached—during a video-conference with State Superintendent Mike Flanagan, held during a school assembly.

State Has Measures in Place to Ensure Integrity in MEAP Testing

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will continue to closely monitor the annual administration of its Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) tests this year, according to state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. Statewide MEAP testing, which is administered by local school districts, runs from October 11-28.

2011-12 NASDSE Professional Development Series Announced

The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) will hold a Professional Development Series in 2011-12 featuring information on high-interest topics from nationally recognized experts.

State Board Gives Nod to Improved Standards for State Assessment Scores

The State Board of Education (SBE) today adopted more rigorous standards for scores on the statewide achievement tests—the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) and the Michigan Merit Exam (MME).

ACT Releases Discussion Points on New Cut Scores for MEAP and MME

The State Board of Education (SBE) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) are moving forward with the improvement of cut scores to the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) and Michigan Merit Exam (MME). Local districts should understand the purpose behind this forward shift and how the benefits can be explained to their communities.

The Library of Michigan Launches its 2011 Michigan Reads! Program With Devin Scillian's Memoirs of a Goldfish

The Library of Michigan is pleased to announce Memoirs of a Goldfish by Michigan author Devin Scillian and illustrated by Tim Bowers (Sleeping Bear Press, 2010) is the featured title for the 2011 "Michigan Reads! One State, One Children's Book" program. 

Lowest Achieving Schools Identified and Latest "Top-to-Bottom" School Rankings Released

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced today that 98 schools have been identified as Persistently Lowest Achieving (PLA) Schools. Schools placed on the PLA list are required to develop and implement Redesign Plans approved by the State School Reform Office in the MDE.

State to Publish List of Lowest Achieving Schools and “Top-to-Bottom” School Rankings

The Michigan Department of Education will release the list of Michigan's Persistently Lowest Achieving (PLA) Schools on Friday, August 26, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.

Acclaimed Children’s Author Gary Schmidt Wins 2011 Michigan Author Award

 Michigan Center for the Book recently announced Gary Schmidt, author of award-winning and critically-acclaimed children and young adult fiction, as the winner of the 2011 Michigan Author Award. 

New School Data ‘Dashboard’ One of Five Financial Best Practices

 MI School Data, a new education information website (www.mischooldata.org), was recently launched to provide information on K-12 schools and school districts across the state. 

Higher Expectations Cause More Schools to Not Make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2011

 Even though state test scores have been on the rise, higher proficiency targets required to meet the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act resulted in fewer schools making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) this year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

New Website Offers Michigan Education Data

 The Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and intermediate school districts, recently completed the first development phase of a new education information website called MI School Data. The launch of this site on August 15 at https://www.mischooldata.org is poised to become the home to all state-level education data covering preschool through postsecondary education.

Improving Family Involvement Resource Explains Six Types of Family Involvement

The "Improving Family Involvement" document is an online resource organized around Joyce Epstein's framework of six types of family involvement—parenting, communication, volunteering, learning at home, decision-making, and collaborating with communities.

Student “Letters About Literature” Writers Win Accolades and National Awards!

On May 10, 2011, the Michigan Center for the Book announced Michigan’s award winners and finalists for the national Letters about Literature contest.

Letters about Literature is an annual contest sponsored by the National Center for the Book at the Library of Congress. In the program, young readers write letters to authors, living or dead, describing how the authors’ work changed their lives. Students participate through classroom activities or individually. Target is the sponsor for the Letters about Literature program.

Director of MDE's Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services Retires

Jacquelyn J. Thompson, the Director of the Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE-EIS) at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), retires today, July 30, 2010.

MDE, OSE Guide to Timelines for Initials Available

The Michigan Special Education One Pager: Timeline for Initials, clearly explains the basic content, process, and timelines necessary to complete an Initial Evaluation and an Initial Individualized Education Program (IEP) within the required timeline.