From the Superintendent's Office
by Tom Watkins, Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction
 Welcome
to the first issue of Leading Change!
With an “all-together now” focus for a unified front,
Leading Change represents one of the Michigan Department
of Education’s efforts to keep you informed about the many
valuable efforts taking place to ensure the best possible education
for ALL students in Michigan.
Leading Change highlights the collaborative reform efforts
of the Governor’s Office, the State Board of Education, and
the Michigan Department of Education for improving academic achievement
and access to high-quality learning. With this in mind, each issue
will highlight one of the five State Board of Education Task Force
Initiatives:
Research overwhelmingly shows that the most important single
factor for improving student achievement is teacher quality. In
this first issue, we begin with a broad and informative look at
the best and most current ideas, practices, and plans for ensuring
that Michigan’s students are surrounded by adults who are
well equipped to support student learning.
With vast reserves of energy and optimism, the individuals who
share their days with our students—parents, teachers, paraprofessionals,
administrators, custodians, cafeteria helpers, teaching assistants,
counselors, and bus drivers, among many others—make a real
and lasting difference in the lives of children and the future
of our state. Michigan teachers, and the parents and other personnel
who regularly work with students, deserve opportunities to learn
about effective teaching practices, research on learning, and
collaborative professional development efforts for enhancing the
quality of education for today’s students.
Michigan’s vision and standards of professional development
reflect the current understanding of human development and adult
learning. When educators learn together, share ideas about the
work they do, and talk about what works and what doesn’t,
they contribute to a school culture where all learners—teachers
and students—learn at high levels. Building relationships
within the school community—between and among teachers and
between and among teachers, students, and parents—appears
to be the most rewarding and effective avenue for helping teachers
teach and children learn.
Groups of trusted colleagues working together are called learning
communities. Learning communities are guided by what data tell
participants about student learning, what research tells them
about improved teaching and leadership practices, and by what
state and national standards indicate as most important for students
to know and be able to do.
Use this issue of Leading Change to open up a dialogue
within your learning community. Copy and share the articles, read
supplemental Web-linked articles, access the valuable resources,
distribute copies, and create conversations that will lead to
improved teaching and student achievement.
To access Leading Change online, go to www.michigan.gov/mde
and click on the Leading Change button or visit www.cenmi.org
for .pdf and html formats including Web-linked resources for valuable
information. You can also subscribe to e-Leading Change notification
of posting at www.cenmi.org.
Share your comments about this publication and ideas for articles
at www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140--80051--,00.html or contact Holly Spence Sasso, managing editor, (800) 593-9146
#6, hss@eaton.k12.mi.us.
We look forward to hearing from you! |
