Voice of MN Education

MASA... "On the Road" w/ Charlie: Good School Opening

A message to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) from Charlie Kyte, Executive Director.

The audio podcast above is 10 minutes long.  Click once or twice on the audio bar above.  There is no video this week.

OPENING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR:

Reports from across the state indicate a pretty successful beginning to the school year.  We heard of few major transportation or school start-up problems.  Several Districts had the excitement of moving students into brand new buildings.

MASA FALL CONFERENCE:

If you are not yet registered, just call us at 651-645-6272 and we will expedite the registration process.  We have an excellent conference with opportunities for professional growth as well as networking.

H1N1 'FLU SUMMIT' REPORT:

Charlie attended the H1N1 Flu Summit on Monday.  It was well presented.... here is some of what we heard:

Peek in 6-8 weeks:  Cases are already multiplying in the SE part of the country since school began about 2 weeks earlier than here.  The prediction for Minnesota is that the peek will be in 6-8 weeks. Thus the end of October through November could be our toughest period.

Get your flu shots:  Seasonal flu shots are now available.  Get them now!  The H1N1 shots should become available early in October and we are going to want to get the most vulnerable folks inoculated first.  Different from the past these populations are young people up to age 24, pregnant women and those suffering from asthma.

Drop doctors notes for sports:  Clinics are going to have a hard time keeping up.  They will not have time to deal with producing notes to allow athletes to return to teams.  Watch for a MSHSL briefing on this and be prepared to just waive the requirement to have notes from doctors.

Possible event re-scheduling:  Don't be surprised to see games postponed in late October because too many of the athletes are sick.  Athletic Directors will have their work cut out for them.

Minnesota response.... stay calm and prepare well.  Especially attend to 

communities of color:  Minnesotans have a reputation for staying calm in a storm and yet being well prepared.  Since the H1N1 flu originated in Mexico and Central America, our latino populations are more concerned than many others.  It is very important that Districts make an extra effort to assure and communicate with these populations.

Listen to the MN Dep't of Health.... best messages:  Districts are being swamped with advice from the federal to the local government levels.  Much is fairly consistent, but there are differences.  Our advice is to listen primarily to the Mn Department of Health.  They are the best in the country and will have the most consistent messages.

Winston Churchill Quote:  "Plans are useless.  But planning is invaluable."

MASA'S STAND ON THE PRESIDENTS OPENING DAY SPEECH TO STUDENTS:

The President had a great message for our students.  But his staff put every Superintendent in America in a 'no win' position.  MASA, as well as many of our members, got roundly criticized from the left and the right as we tried to navigate through this tempest which hit us with little warning on the 1st day of school.  Thank goodness the news cycle is only about 72 hours long!

NCLB RE-AUTHORIZATION:  We have a new Senate Education Committee Chair.... Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa.  Te word we are hearing from congressional officials is that it will be hard to get the re-authorization of ESEA-NCLB done this coming spring.  If it drags out we get into election season and then we roll into 2011.  One of the problems is there is no middle ground consensus about what to do to modify the present law.

MASA..."On the Road" w/Charlie: Kyte won't run!

The video above is about 6 minutes long and can be accessed either by clicking on the vide or going to the MASA website (www.mnasa.org) and clicking on MASA BLOG in the right hand panel..

 ‘TONGUE IN CHEEK’……. KYTE WILL NOT RUN FOR GOVERNOR:

 It seems as though everyone around the Capitol except Roger Aronson and I have announced they are running for governor.  I wanted to finally beat Roger, who represents the Principals associations and MSHSL, to the punch.  So I am declaring that I will not run for governor.  This now leaves only Roger who hasn’t declared…. Is there a chance he is planning to put his hat in the ring?

 UNALLOTMENT AND FEDERAL STIMULUS $’s:

 The school districts of Minnesota will be lending the State $1.8 Billion over the next 2 years without any clear indication about how, or if, it will be paid back.  Many of you will be doing ‘cash flow’ borrowing to cover the shortfall.  But it is hard to complain too much when we see the real cuts out friends in Higher Education as well as City and County businesses are going to take.

 We saw a report recently about how the federal stimulus money going to states is going to be used. 22 states are using the money to cover cuts in their own funding for K-12 education.  Minnesota is 7^th from the top of the list with a 5% cut being covered.  California leads with a 12% cut being covered with federal stimulus money.

 On the other end of the spectrum are the Dakota’s with 12-15% new money being pumped into their systems.  We will see a big problem in 2 years when the federal money drops to the wayside and Minnesota schools will see a big hole needing to be filled.  It doesn’t look very good at this point.

 MASA RETREAT EMPHASIZES CORE VALUES AND NEW INITIATIVES:

 MASA will continue to be a strong VOICE for public education and an ADVOCATE for the value of the public education system.  We will also continue to be a strong supporter of our MEMBERS.

 In addition look for new initiatives in the areas of promoting environmental awareness and education system innovation.  MASA will also evaluate the positions of each governor candidate and share these positions with members in a fair and non-partisan way.

 MSHSL HELPING TO CHECK RISING COSTS:

 Thanks to the hard work of Dave Stead, Executive Director of the MSHSL, the League recently took several controversial steps to help schools to control the costs of sports and activity programs.  These changes don’t come easily and we acknowledge the good work of MASA member Dave Stead in this regard.

MASA ... "On the Road" with Charlie Kyte - REALLY!

The 9 minute video below is of Charlie describing his latest and upcoming trips around the state.

REGIONAL MEETINGS:

Charlie loves to meet with MASA members all over the state.  This week begins several weeks of putting the miles as he visits with our members.  He will be leaving for Baudette, MN today for the Region 8 Retreat.  From there he will be taking a few days off to do some fishing in Minaki, Canada.  Next week Charlie will be in Chisholm for the Region 7 meeting.  At the end of next week he will be attending the MASA Board Retreat here in St. Paul.  All current and new board members of MASA will be attending.  Following the Board Retreat, Charlie will be participating in the annual Klobuchar Bike Ride.  When he returns from the bike ride, Charlie will be attending the Region 5 meeting in Staples.  Then at the end of July, Charlie will be joining Regions 3 & 4 for their combined retreat at Thumper Pond in Western MN.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT:

The first of the three items is ... MN History Center presents MN's Greatest Generation - The Depression, The War & The Boom.  Charlie was able to tour the new exhibit at the MN History Center.  He found it to be very educational and a great experience for groups, families and school field trips.  Some highlights of the exhibit include: a 1930's Movie Theater, a 1940's soda fountain, and a C47 Fighter Plane.  One item of note is a family bible of Charlie's that his family donated.  This bible was carried by his father as he fought in WWII.  Thanks Charlie for a wonderful donation to a piece of MN's history!

The second item of interest is the 2009 MN Schools of Character & Promising Practices Award Ceremony.  This event was held on May 21st at the MN State Capitol Rotunda.  The 2009 MN Schools of Character were The Blake School and Schumann Elementary in Long Lake.  The 2009 Emerging MN Schools of Character were Waseca High School and SAGE Academy Charter School.  And the final group of honorees was the 2009 Promising Practice Awards.  This honor was bestowed upon the Avalon School in St. Paul, Chatfield Elementary Schools in Belle Plaine, Orono Middle School, The Blake School, Schumann Elementary in Long Lake and Waseca High School.  Congratulations to each one of you!

The third item for you to know of is the very moving and touching memorial service of Kathleen Macy, retired superintendent of the Stillwater Area Schools.  Charlie attending her memorial service on Friday May 22nd.  Charlie was very moved by the kind words of friends and family.  Several MASA members spoke of their former colleague and friend.  They included Carol Erickson, retired; Don Schuld of Stillwater; and Meria Carstarphen, St. Paul.  Kathleen will be dearly missed!

STATE FUNDING & INFORMATION:

MASA is currently waiting to see how Governor Pawlenty will unallot state funds.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that K-12 funds will be spared.

Tom Melcher of the MN Department of Education will be traveling the state to discuss changes for school districts coming out of the legislative session.  He is unable to explain the unallotment and shift.

MASA is working the MN Department of Education to plan the August "Back to School" Workshop for Superintendents.  This day-long workshop will be held on Wednesday, August 12th at the Northland Inn.  Watch your emails and the MASA website for registration information.  Housing is now open.  Please visit our website for that information.

FEDERAL CHANGES - BEYOND THE STIMULUS:

There will be dollars shifted to some new federal programs.  These programs include the Teacher Incentive Fund, School Improvement Fund, Striving Readers, and a High School Initiative.  Since the money is not new money but simply being shifted from other funds, watch for these funds to loose their funding: Safe and Drug Free Schools, Even Start Family Literacy, College Access Challenge Grants, Mentoring, Civic Education, Ready to Teach, Javits Gifted and Talented, National Institute for Literacy, Academies for American History and Civics, Close Up Fellowship, and Foundations for Learning.  Programs that will have their funding slashed include: Education Technology State Grants and the Abstinence Education Program.  More detailed information can be found on the US Department of Education's website.

MASA... "On the Road" w/ Charlie... Economy & Communication

This is a message to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) from Charlie Kyte, Executive Director.

The audio podcast below is 5 minutes long.   Just click the audio bar once or twice.

MEETING WITH OTHER STATE LEADERS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NATIONAL ECONOMY AND THE CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIONS:

I am in Santa Fe, New Mexico meeting with the other state association executives from across the nation. We are being briefed on the possible changes undeway as the Obama administration takes over the federal government. We are also learning more about the seriousness of the global economic problem. By the way there is some snow on the ground here so we aren't playing much at all. The meeting is very serious in content and tone.

COMMUNICATE NOW:

This is the time to be communicating with all your stakeholder groups....Staff, Principals, Board, Community & Parent Leaders, Student Leaders and the Media.

Work to have a coordinated set of messages coming from school leaders. Communicate your Districts situation, but don't spread panic. Also be sympathetic as many families and school employees are nervous about what the future may hold.

In your communication also indicate that you and other school officials are monitoring the situation, that you are engaging in contingency planning, and your efforts to be an advocate for public education. Pledge to keep the lines of communication open.

COMMUNICATION TIP:

Think in terms of feeding your stakeholders. As you create your message, first serve up a 'bite', then a 'snack' and finally the meal. Thus give a quick opening comment, then several bullet points on what you are doing and finally a rest of the message. In the end, the whole message needs to be read in 3 minutes or less.

STAY AS POSITIVE AS POSSIBLE:

As a leader, part of your job is to sell 'hope'. Thus as you communicate both in person and by written communications, let people know that we will all get through this and the importance of working together and supporting each other.

Keep participating in your regional meetings and stay active in MASA. It is in these types of times that we all need personal and professional support.

MASA ... Math Test Position

This is a report to MASA Superintendents and Curriculum Leaders on MASA's testimony to the Minnesota Senate regarding the 11th Math GRAD Test. Message from Charlie Kyte, MASA Executive Director.

The audio portion of this podcast is 8 and half minutes long.

December 1, 2008
Senate Education Committee
Minnesota State Capitol
St. Paul, Minnesota

Senate Education Committee members:
NCLB IS PRESENTLY QUITE PUNITIVE AT BOTH THE NATIONAL AND MINNESOTA STATE LEVELS:
1.     NCLB will soon be either repealed or re-authorized.  Federal policy makers recognize that the punitive elements of NCLB need to be re-directed into a more positive and helpful approach.
2.     Among the states, Minnesota, has utilized a set of rules that are more punishing of schools than most other states in the country.  In spite of Minnesota’s positive track record in education, Minnesota’s schools have seen record levels of schools given punitive marks.
3.    Skilled educators, parents and policy makers know that more progress can usually be made with positive inducements than with negative consequences

MATH COMPETENCY FOR MINNESOTA STUDENTS MUST BE INCREASED:
1.     Minnesota’s students must do better in math if Minnesota is to attain the proficiency required to provide well educated citizens and to participate in a world competitive economy.
2.    Minnesota needs three (3) elements to be present to increase math competency:
a.    Students, parents and citizens willing to demand and attain high proficiency.
b.    Teachers and schools prepared to deliver world class results in math.
c.    Progressive state policies that will help attain success.

THE CURRENT PLAN TO REQUIRE PASSAGE OF THE MATH GRAD TEST AS A REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION IS PUNITIVE TO STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS, AND WILL HAVE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES:
1.     Even setting the cut score on the Math GRAD Test at a partial proficiency level will result in about 75% of students passing the test, even after hasty re-mediation and re-testing.
2.    If 25% of students attaining grade 12 do not pass the Math GRAD Test, this will mean 4000-5000 students that will be denied graduation for this reason alone.  These students will suffer from lost opportunities to enter colleges, the military and other types of vocational training.
3.    If some type of a waiver, or appeals, process is allowed for students not passing the test, there will be the following effects:
a.    An appeal/waiver process will place a significant burden on HS Principals and School Boards to determine which students can graduate, or not graduate, via the appeals/waiver process.
b.    Students, and their parents, denied diplomas, may use litigation to change these decisions.
c.    Some schools would grant waivers to all students, making a mockery of the whole process and negating the movement toward higher proficiency.

WE SUGGEST AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION:
1.  Let’s move away from the punitive approach now being used so prevalently.
2.  Consider rewarding students and schools for doing well!
    ** Provide a math endorsement for all students passing the Math GRAD test.  This endorsement would be placed on both a students transcript and on their diploma.
    ** Consider a second, higher endorsement level that indicates proficiency on the full 11th grade math test.  This endorsement could also indicate ‘college’ readiness.
    ** Consider additional inducements to encourage students to strive to show math proficiency via these tests.
    ** Recognize schools that have high percentages of students attaining math proficiency.
    **  With this approach no time delay would be necessary for implementation and could be in effect for 2010 graduates.
    ** The Math GRAD cut score could be set at a more reasonable level rather than undesirably low.

THIS SOLUTION COULD BE WIDELY SUPPORTED BY EDUCATORS:
1.      MASA represents all of the school superintendents as well as many curriculum leaders, special education directors and central office administrators.  They would be very supportive.

Respectfully submitted, and representing the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA),

Dr. Charles Kyte, Executive Director

MASA..."On the Road" w/Charlie: Election follow-up

This is a message to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) from Charlie Kyte, Executive Director.

The audio podcast above is 6 minutes long.  Just click on the audio bar to listen.

DENNIS PETERSON IS THE 2009 SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR:

Dennis Peterson has just been named as Minnesota's Superintendent of the Year.  Dennis is the Superintendent for the Minnetonka Schools.  He has been a Superintendent for 35 years.  A press release about Dennis' accomplishments is on the MASA website.

There was an excellent group of candidates this year for this honor.  We thank all who had an application submitted.  We congratulate Dennis and now wish him well as his name is submitted to AASA as a candidate for recognition as the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.  The reciprient of this honor will be named at the AASA National Conference on Education in February. 

CONGRATULATE ELECTION WINNERS:

You need to contact the state level election winners immediately.  Send a letter or note of congratulations.  Within a week, then invite them to meet with you, and some of your staff, to help solidify the relationship between your local state officials and your school district.  You are going to need a lot of help from these state representatives, so beginning to build relationships early is just smart business.

CREATE 2 SCHOOL CALENDARS:

Create 2 calendars for 2009-10.  Have one begin after labor day and the other beginning a week earlier.  Obviously the first calendar will end later in the spring.   Then survey your parents and ask which calendar moption they prefer.  We estimate that over 70% of parents will prefer the earlier start date combined with an earlier dismissal in he spring.

We will ask for a change in the labor day start statute.  Your ability to show your state representative the 2 calendars and their opinion on the choices will go a long way in helping to get this law changed.

DO A 'DUAL' ANALYSIS OF YOUR FINANCIAL PICTURE FOR THE NEXT 2 YEARS:

The MN legislature is going to have a hard time finding money for our schools for the next 2 years.  The state is in a dire financial situation and additional revenues will need to be raised to properly fund schools.  there is a chance ( a realistic chance) that schools would not see any new money for the next 2 years.

Thus we are asking all Districts to look at their financial picture in two ways:

  1)  Assume a 2% increase in funding for 2009-10 and for 2010-11.  Build the 2%'s as though the $51 of one time funding you got for this year remains in place as well.

2)  Assume a 0% increase in each of the next two years and start from the assumption that the $51 of one time money will not be provided.

Make a determination of approximately the changes you would need to make in staffing and programs under each scenario.  We will want to show legislators the effects of no new funding as we move into the legislative session.  We will ask you to do this with your own legislators and we will be compiling this information as the legislative session begins so that the effect on the whole state can be seen.

TRANSITION BETWEEN SPORT SEASONS:

The fall sport season is pretty well over except for tournament games.  We hope students and teachers can use this breather between seasons as an opportunity to concentrate on academics and other student activities.  Have a good November!!

MASA... "On the Road" w/Charlie: An interesting 2 weeks

This is a report to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) by Charlie Kyte, Executive Director.

The audio podcast is 8 minutes long. Just click the audio bar a couple of times.

'BOOKEND EVENTS' MARK AN INTERESTING WEEK:

My week began last Monday with a small meeting at the Governors mansion for breakfast. I, BIll Green of Minneapolis, Maria Carstarphen of St. Paul and Scott Croonquist of AMSD were the guests. Also attending was Commissioner Seagren and Laura Bordelon of the Governors office. Bob Meeks and Lee Warne were also invited, but had conflicts. I was expecting a short meeting, but we met and discussed education for over 2 hours.

The governor was interested in our perspectives on improving teacher training and on-line learning. We actually had a very good discussion and ranged over many topics. We didn't really talk about funding although the Governor heard that the schools are struggling. The prospects for the next biannium are not good based on the melt down we are seeing in our economy.

On Friday, I attended the opening of the Confucius Institute at the University of Minnesota. The day ended with a great dinner at Eastcliff, the home of the President of the University. Several Superintendents also attended the opening and several came to the dinner. John Sweet and Keith Kyskoski were at the opening. Patty Phillips, John Currie and Mark Robertson were at the dinner.

IMPORTANT WORK IN THIS WEEK TO COME:

On Monday and Tuesday, September 22 and 23, we will hold our MASA Federal Advocacy Committee and MASA Legislative Finance Committee meetings at the MASA World Headquarters Building in St. Paul. These are important meetings.

We will formulate our associations positions on what to do about NCLB at the national level and what we should be asking of the legislature and Governor in this upcoming legislative session. We know that both the Federal Government and the State Government are going to be in difficult positions financially. Yet we must still be able to operate our schools.

On Wednesday and Thursday, I'll attend regional meetings in Worthington and in Staples. I look forward to meeting our members at these area meetings.

On Friday, September 26th, 6 Superintendents and I will meet with representatives of the State Highway Patrol and the Department of Public Safety to attempt to change their mind on how the new Type III bus licensure statute is interpreted. Bob Belluzo, Bruce Klaehn, Dave Thompson, Dan Brooks, Connie Hayes and Scott Thielman will represent the school districts.

We will also have a representative of the Governors Office and the MDE present. We have had great cooperation from MSBA on trying to resolve this issue. We cannot promise that we will be able to change minds, but we intend to make one heck of a try.

MASA FALL CONFERENCE.... STILL TIME TO REGISTER:

The MASA Fall Conference will be at Madden's Resort near Brainerd on Sunday-Tuesday, October 5-7. We have a good registration so far. The program is excellent and the opportunities to network are important. If you are not yet registered, call Jeanna Quinn at MASA (651-645-6272) and she will expedite the process.

MASA... "On the Road" w/ Charlie... Survey results

This is a report to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) from Charlie Kyte, Executive Director.

The accompanying audio podcast is 9 minutes long. Just click the audio bar.

MASA MEMBER SURVEY RESULTS

Last spring, for every superintendent predicting a student enrollment increase this fall in their school systems, 4 predicted a decline and another 4 predicted that enrollments would remain relatively unchanged.

1/3 of superintendents were seeing students electing on-line courses from their own consortium of schools, 1/3 seeing students taking on-line courses from other districts or entities and 1/3 did not yet see students taking on-line courses.

MASA members are planning to stay in public education, on average, for 5 more years. Slightly more than 1/2 of you plan to finish your career where you are presently employed and slightly less than 1/2 plan another employment move.

40th ANNUAL PDK/ GALLOP POLL

Fewer than 2 in 10 americans believe that NCLB legislation should continue without major changes. They see lack of funding as the biggest problem facing our nations schools. Americans do have a better impression of European and Asian schools than of our nations schools.

Americans support students taking college courses and earning college credit while still in HS. In a change from 9 years ago, americans believe that written observations by teachers, as opposed to standardized tests, are a superior way to document student academic progress.

STATE OF OUR NATION'S YOUTH REPORT

Published by the Horatio Alger Association, this study found our nations youth to be confident, ambitious and optimistic. They report that the two biggest issues impacting them in education are technology and the Internet. Our youth want to see schools modernize technology and they recognize the importance of science and technology to our nations future global competitiveness. Although personally optimistic, they are less optimistic about the condition of our country than youth have reported in the past.

AASA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR MAGAZINE.... LOCAL CONTRIBUTORS

Two well written articles were published in this month's School Administrator Magazine by Minnesota writers, Kim Gibbons of SCRED and Reggie Engebritson of the Northland Special Education Coop. Also Steve Jordahl (St. Cloud)and Larry Nybladh (formerly of Moorhead) were featured on the "Transitions" page.

MN BOARD OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO STUDY SPECIAL EDUCATION LICENSES. MEMBER NEEDED FOR COMMITTEE

If you would be willing to serve on this committee as a representative of MASA, please contact Charlie (651-247-6505 or ckyte@mnasa.org).

EDUCATION SUMMIT.... SAVE THE DATE

The Alliance for Student Achievement invites you to the 7th annual Education Summit "Today's Students-Tomorrow's Citizens" on Friday, October 17 from 8:00a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the St. Paul River Center.

Keynotes include:

Harold Hodgkinson, Director of the Center for Demographic Policy..... One of the nation's leading educational demographers will question today's reform efforts that focus on the system itself but overlook the needs of the people who are moving through the system.

Associate Justice Paul Anderson, Minnesota Supreme Court..... A Minnesota native with experience in courts, school boards and youth volunteer services, Justice Anderson will share his perspective about civic engagement.

EXECUTIVE COACH AVAILABLE

A former Superintendent from another state, now residing in Minnesota has been trainied as an executive coach. If interested in retaining a person to coach/ mentor yourself or an administrator from your District, e-mail Charlie for more information.

"On the Road w/Charlie": Dialogue with Colleges

This is a report to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) from Charlie Kyte, Executive Director.

The accompanying audio podcast is 7 minutes long. Just click the audio bar once or twice.

INSTANT ALERT TEST THIS WEEK

MASA uses the Honeywell Instant Alert System to communicate with members in the case of emergencies. We will test the system later this week. Expect a call message or two on your home, cell and work telephones.

COLLEGE DEAN'S TO ATTEND MASA FALL CONFERENCE..... A CHANCE TO WORK TOGETHER

The MASA Fall Conference will be held at Madden's Resort on Sunday thru Tuesday, October 5-7. Registration materials come out this week. Join your colleagues for great professional development and personal networking.

Of special interest will be a session on Monday afternoon that will be attended by Dean's of Education and Technical College President's from across the state. In regional groups we will hold professional discussions on how we can better work together to have the best teachers coming out of our colleges and how we can work more closely to give HS students access to technical education opportunities.

BEAUTIFUL SUMMER WEATHER AND THE EXCITEMENT OF OPENING SCHOOL

As we come to the conclusion of an idyllic summer, we turn to the exciting tasks of getting the schools of Minnesota open once again. Use this week to spend time with staff and do your best to motivate them to get off to a positive start with their students.

QUESTION ABOUT SCIENCE TESTS AND TECHNOLOGICAL GLITCHES

Several Superintendents have indicated that their schools had trouble with the technical aspects of last springs science tests that were given on-line. The result was a loss of enthusiasm on the part of students, who then eventually made less than a full effort on these tests. If your school experienced problems, please let me know. MASA will carry these issues to both the MDE and to the testing companies.

SCHOOL BOARD RESOLUTIONS ON REFORMING/ REPEALING NCLB

MASA will be asking every school board in the state to pass a resolution asking both our national and state elected officials to either repeal or abandon NCLB as a failed accountability system. Watch for more information coming to you from the MASA Federal Advocacy Committee in late September.

CALL WITH QUESTIONS

If you have operational, policy or board governance questions, just give us a call. Charlie's cell phone number is 651-247-6505.

"On the Road w/Charlie": AYP & Prep for School Yr

This is a message to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) from Charlie Kyte, Executive Director.

The accompanying audio podcast is 6 minutes long. Just click once or twice on the audio bar.

AYP IS A PUBLIC RELATIONS DISASTER FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

In Minnesota nearly 1000 of 2000 schools didn't make AYP in 2008. In our neighboring state of Wisconsin 153 of 2200 schools were in the same catagory. 50% versus 7%! And our systems are very similar in every other measure of success.

This crazy system, as it is being employed in Minnesota, is absolutely destroying the publics confidence in our schools. Most people read a headline and a couple of paragraphs. Education leaders are forced into a defensive posture as they try to explain the results. Teachers are becoming demoralized as they see no chance of their schools being successful.

In Minnesota, our leaders have devised a system in which there are only going to be two kinds of schools.... those not making AYP now and those not making AYP in the future. Wouldn't it be great if the state education leadership would acknowledge that 'bludgeoning' our schools and undermining the publics confidence is not the way to get to better results.

Every public educator in Minnesota wants to provide our kids a great education, but need support and help, not this type of negative attack publicity.

MASA FALL CONFERENCE

Mark your calendars for October 5, 6 & 7. The MASA Fall Conference will be at Madden's near Brainerd this year. The conference is shaping up to be very strong and we will be emphasizing opportunities for members to interact in professional learning community (PLC's) groups.

Conference materials will be out to you on August 25th.

MEET WITH LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES NOW

There are at least 2 candidates running for each of the 134 state representative seats for the MN legislature. The best time to be meeting with them is before the elections. By inviting candidates into your schools you can show them some of the good things going on and determine their attitudes about public education. You also help the candidates by having them being seen in the schools and being introduced to members of the electorate.

Look for promises now and then hold the winners feet to the fire once the election season is over.

PREPARING FOR PRE-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS

Pre-school workshops begin within a week and a half. Your schools plans for the professional development workshops are probably pretty well set up. One thing that you should be doing during this period of time is to visit with as many staff members as possible.

Sometimes Superintendent's and top administrators get too busy and forget that 'pressing the flesh' with the front-line people that deliver the education in your schools. This is also a time to enjoy seeing people again and to have a bit of casual time with them.

BRING POSITIVE MESSAGES TO 8TH GRADERS AS THEY ALL TACKLE ALGEBRA I

It is important for MS math teachers to be communicating with their 8th grade students with messages that they will be able to do algebra. In several conversations that I have had recently with math teachers I'm afraid that the communication may be that this is very hard and students won't be able to do it. We know we are stretching our students up to world class standards and they will have more success if they believe they can do it.

Have a great start to the school year!

ENCOURAGE SUCESS FOR 8TH GRADERS BEGINNING ALGEBRA I

This is the first year that all 8th grade students will be taking Algebra I. This change will require a significant step up in rigor for a big portion of our students, but will bring them into line with what students in a number of leading nations are now doing. The biggest difference is that we will be doing this for nearly all students.

One of the most important things to do is to convince students that they can be successful. Based on several recent conversations with MS math teachers, I'm afraid that they may give students the exact opposite message. It is important to convince your teachers to provide students with positive encouragement and to employ relevant teaching techniques as they work with their 8th graders.