On November 22, 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law two bills (SB 395 & SB 396) reforming the teacher and school administrator evaluation processes at K-12 schools. The legislation, now Public Acts 224 and 225 of 2023, introduces changes to teacher and school administrator evaluations, shifting the focus towards more streamlined rating categories, modifying the basis for evaluations with an emphasis on teacher performance, and mandating the involvement of educators in developing evaluation tools. The changes, which are effective July 1, 2024, will focus evaluations on improving the practice of educators—particularly those who are inexperienced or otherwise struggling—and will allow for educators to spend more time focused on the needs of children, both academic and socioemotional.

Registration is still open! The 2024 Michigan Reading Association Annual Conference will be held in Lansing, Michigan, from March 15-17. This year’s conference focuses on bringing JOY back into our teaching and learning. Join us for an engaging conference that promises to renew our enthusiasm and commitment to our craft!

The Michigan Department of Education celebrates March is Reading Month. Since 1994, March is Reading Month has been a month-long celebration promoting the importance of reading with learners and their families. This effort directly supports goal 2 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan to improve early literacy achievement. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) reminds educators and families to be mindful of the philosophy of windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors when selecting books to engage with students and children throughout March is Reading Month. Please see the MDE Memorandum for more information and resources. 

Supporting Science Learning and Literacy Development Together: In this research brief, initial results from a randomized trial in 1st grade classrooms show that use of science instructional materials that integrate science and literacy led to increased science outcomes and vocabulary knowledge for students. At the same time, these students’ performances in reading assessments did not decrease, suggesting that dedicating time to science can support student learning in both reading and science. Click here to learn more.

Are you looking to spend time delving deeply into your craft with others around the state? Seeking time to plan for intentional use of disciplinary literacy approaches to improve students’ engagement and proficiency? Then join the Disciplinary Literacy Task Force for a different kind of professional learning. This is not your typical way-too-many- presentation slides and way-too-little-application-of-learning event! We know that teachers and leaders talking with each other about research-based approaches can be the very best kind of professional learning, so members of the Disciplinary Literacy Task Force are committed to providing a two-day experience that will provide you with a powerful start to the 2024-2025 school year. See the flyer for additional information.

The Building a Better Assessment Future conference is designed to inspire and equip educators to engage in assessment literate practices and to see how each individual can be that spark for their student, their classroom, building, and district — enacting change to elevate learner outcomes and successes. Featured keynote presenters are Margaret Heritage and Myron Dueck. Learn more about this year’s conference. This year we’re offering a discount for early registration before May 31, 2024. Register today to reserve your spot! 

The Henry Ford’s Educators-in-Residence Program offers K-12 educators the opportunity to explore and implement ideas to create a new kind of classroom culture where students feel empowered to think and act like innovators. Apply today for your chance to become a resident for the 2024-25 school year and receive a $500 stipend and an all-expenses-paid trip to The Henry Ford. Michigan educators can also receive SCECHs.

The East Michigan Gifted and Talented Spring Conference will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Avondale High School in Auburn Hills. Registration is $85 with 4.75 SCECHs available. This year’s Keynote speaker is Emily Kircher-Morris from Unlimited Potential Counseling & Education Center, who will lead participants in exploring neurodiversity and finding out more about neurodivergent people.

Registration for LETRS Cohort 7 is open for elementary educators, early childhood educators, and administrators. You can also register for the LETRS Accelerated Course. Training for Cohort 7 will start in June 2024. For more information, including registration links, please visit the Michigan LETRS website.