Partners In Building Full Potential

Transcription

Ionia County Intermediate School District
Annual Report 2008-2009
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Partner
ICISD
Ionia County Intermediate School District
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Ionia County ISD Annual Report 2008-2009
Robert Kjolhede
Message from the Superintendent . . .
Ionia County ISD is an invisible partner collaborating with many to help cause
visible, positive results. According to our purpose, we are Partners in Building
Full Potential. Our primary partners are the local school districts of Ionia County.
Collectively we provide cost effective, high quality results by pooling resources
and providing services regionally. The local districts and the ISD together
determine the services needed to improve the achievement of all students and
the knowledge and skills of our educators. We also partner with community
agencies and the business community to develop organizational relationships
that will create the conditions for safe, supportive and caring communities in
Ionia County. We truly aspire to be effective Partners in Building Full Potential.
ICISD provides support for nine public schools, two charter schools and six nonpublic schools. ICISD spans an area of 576 square miles, home to 12,292 students.
We employ over 300 educators and support staff who help schools provide direct educational services to students or
consultation assistance to educators.
The bulk of our staff assist exceptional children and young adults in overcoming physical, emotional, or cognitive
challenges. They work in the local schools across the County, on the Freedom Acres campus or the off-site Transitions
programs located on Main Street in Ionia. We collaborate with local districts in providing a full continuum of special
education programs to students and their families.
Our General Education Department acts as a liaison, communicating to local districts the expectations mandated
by No Child Left Behind and the Michigan Department of Education. They deliver quality professional development
to teachers and administrators concerning curriculum, instruction, assessment, school improvement, and our highly
regarded Service Learning Program. This department also writes and manages many grants that are intended to support
student learning and achievement.
ICISD is the fiscal agent for the Heartlands Institute of Technology (HIT) located at the Educational Center in Ionia. HIT
offers career and technical education programs for high school juniors and seniors throughout the county. This program
is essential in imparting to our young adults the knowledge, skills and attitudes for the careers in Michigan’s future.
The Ionia County Intermediate School District’s Business and Technology Departments support administrative needs
for payroll, finance, student accounting, and provide the wireless network for the County’s local districts.
The Ionia Michigan Works! Service Center serves the County by connecting
people to jobs and careers. They provide a range of services and assistance
to those seeking employment. ICISD manages this vital program.
As we weather through these difficult economic times Ionia County ISD will lead
and/or facilitate the transformation necessary to adapt to the changing
needs, expectations, and demographics of our county schools. Ionia
County ISD is a proactive force by anticipating needs, developing
strategies, and building consensus for the change that will support
learning for all students.
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Board of Education
Bruce Lincoln, President
Tom Humphreys, Vice-President
Kevin Meade, Treasurer
Allen McDonald, Secretary
Maureen Wallace, Trustee
Robert Kjolhede, Superintendent
Mission Statement
The staff, administration, and Board of Education of Ionia
County Intermediate School District are dedicated to
collaborating:
• With students, parents, and district residents;
• With local and other intermediate school districts; and
Constituent Districts
• With community partners and state agencies, to provide
quality services and exemplary leadership in support of
superior teaching and learning throughout the district.
Belding Area Schools
Ionia Public Schools
Core Value and Beliefs
Lakewood Public Schools
Coon School
• Belief in ALL Learners
• Dedication
• Enthusiasm
• Sense of Humor
• Innovation
• Proactive
• Visionary
Palo Community Schools
Haynor School
Portland Public Schools
North LeValley School
Saranac Community Schools
Grattan Academy
Brand Promise
Threshold Academy
Our Exceptional Services, 100% Guaranteed
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Special Education
Special Education Department One Page Strategic Plan and Goals (OPSP)/ Five-Year Plan 2009-2014
For the past thirteen years, the Special Education Department of Ionia County Intermediate School District has operated from
a five-year plan consisting of a set of department goals. These goals are revised and updated annually with the assistance of
ISD staff, our local districts partners and parents. We have, as a department, also embraced the ICISD One Page Strategic Plan
(OPSP). During the 2008-09 school year, our department OPSP goals were:
• Implement the electronic-IEP ISD-wide.
• Implement and maintain ICT processes in all elementary schools county-wide.
• Begin middle school ICT pilot in two schools.
• Revise and update Section 504 requirements and policies.
• Explore alternative curriculum for cognitively impaired students.
• Implement Medicaid billing for health care aides.
Significant progress was made on all OPSP Goals.
Our overall goal was to have all districts in ICISD receive the state’s top rating for Special Education Level 1 Determination. We are pleased to report that this was accomplished.
The following are the 2009-2014 Special Education Department Goals:
• Implement and maintain the Instructional Consultation
Team Process in all elementary schools county-wide. Complete
middle school pilot in ICT. Approach three remaining middle
schools for interest.
• Coordinate and collaborate with general education
regarding the achievement gap between general and special
education and its impact on high school reform, student
achievement, graduation rates, dropout rates, and AYP:
- Efforts will be made to reduce special education eligibility
rates and increase the amount of the time special education
students spend in general education;
- Collaborative meetings with the special education
coordinators and the general education curriculum
coordinators.
• Implement processes and procedures for birth-to-five special
education programs in meeting the state and federal standards
and reporting requirements in the areas of: Assessment/
curriculum; Federal outcomes; Natural environments;
Supervision.
• Provide support for continued county-wide vocational
education options and its compatibility with high school
reform.
• Develop a committee to investigate in-service options for
educating staff on the understanding, utilization, and display
of data.
• Expand transition options for SEI/EI students.
• Provide training for special education staff on
assessment procedures to evaluate IEP goals.
• Develop Ionia County Intermediate School District Differentiated Instruction for Michigan Tool Kit Curriculum FrameWorks Guide.
• Convene a study committee to review best practice
in the Early Childhood Developmental Delay (ECDD)
program and make recommendations for changes to
current local district programming.
• Explore the potential of ICISD providing ISD-wide supervision of ECSC programming.
• Devise an ad hoc committee to monitor
recommendations on implementation of the new
personal curriculum option for special education students
and high school graduation requirements.
• Create a committee to develop alternative curriculum
options for Cognitively Impaired students.
• Complete Learning Disabilities Eligibility project –
from a Discrepancy Model to Early Intervening Services/
Response to Interventions.
• Provide training for special education administrators
and staff on parent interaction and positive relationships
(with difficult people.)
• Gather a study committee to review ICISD high rate
of identification of students with speech and language
impairments.
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Special Education . . . continued
Instructional Consultation Team Project
The Instructional Consultation Teams (ICT) Project arose out of a two-year study
conducted under the Special Education Department’s five-year plan. A group of
40 educators from around the ISD spent two years reviewing our services to at-risk
learners, the child study system, and best practices from around the nation. The
result was the start of the ICT project in five elementary schools in Ionia County
Intermediate School District: Ellis Elementary in Belding, Emerson Elementary in
Ionia, West Elementary in Lakewood, Oakwood Elementary in Portland and Saranac Elementary.
Each of these schools completed the initial year of training in 2005-06 and began implementation in 2006-07. Seven
additional schools (Emerson Elementary and Twin Rivers Elementary in Ionia, Woodview Elementary in Belding, Westwood
Elementary in Portland, Clarksville Elementary, Woodland Elementary and Sunfield Elementary in Lakewood) started training
in 2006-07 and began implementation in 2007-08. Rather Elementary, Boyce Elementary, and Palo School started training in
2007-08. Portland and Ionia middle schools along with our two charter schools began training in 2008-09.
The purpose of Instructional Consultation Teams (ICT) is to improve learning for all early elementary students, particularly
students at risk of failure, through a collaborative system that links general educators, special educators and resource
personnel at all levels.
Objectives:
• To initiate a process of school-wide change in the delivery of service for students at risk of failure.
• To implement a model for creating and training a school-wide collaborative consultation support system.
• To institutionalize the model into the system.
Training Focus:
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Collaborative and reflective communication skills.
Efficient, data-driven problem solving process.
Instructional assessment and instructional strategies in the following areas: reading, writing, math.
Functional behavioral assessment.
Team functioning.
Service Delivery Model:
Instructional Consultation Teams (ICT) is a service delivery model that provides academic and behavioral support to all
students struggling in the general education classroom. It works in conjunction with other district and building initiatives to
improve student learning.
The model uses a five-step structured, stage-based problem-solving process to specifically identify a student’s target area for
support and improvement. Data from both a Curriculum Based Assessment and a Functional Behavior Assessment are used
to identify the target area and collect baseline data so that the student’s progress can be monitored objectively during this
period of support.
A team leader is extensively trained by staff from the University of Maryland and works with the building ICT, which will
consist of the principal, general educational and special education teachers, and other professional support personnel.
We have had very positive results and a significant reduction in the number of students aged 6-21 receiving special
education services. Emerson, Saranac, Boyce, Ellis and Oakwood Elementary Schools were honored for exemplary work in
implementation by the University of Maryland.
Goals for 2009-2010
• To improve student achievement.
• To reduce special education referrals and the need for special education services.
• To provide effective and efficient programs that integrate and coordinate support services available to classroom teachers
and their students.
• To achieve and maintain collaborative support teams that enable people with diverse expertise to generate creative solutions
to mutually defined problems.
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Assistive Technology (AT) and
Physically-Other Health Impairment (PI) Programs
Highlights of the Year
• Entire county has been trained and is now utilizing the electronic IEP system
through the Michigan Compliance Information System (MI-CIS) which houses all
special education data state-wide.
• Para Educators, county-wide, were trained on how to bill Medicaid.
Services Offered
• Physically Impaired-Otherwise Health Impaired (PI-OHI) Program:
- Consultation to staff and parents working with PI-OHI students;
- Annual county-wide teacher in-service;
- Supervision and training of PI-OHI Para Educators;
- Monthly Para Educator meetings;
- Facilitating monthly TEAM meetings for those students who have several
members on their team.
• Assistive Technology: Referral; Screening; Evaluation; Purchasing and maintaining AT
equipment; Training staff, student, family members
• Planner/Monitor: Oversee Medicaid; Monitor approvals and certification of special education staff;
Compliance of special education programs/services
Department Statistics
• Share numbers on categories significant to your setting (students, families, parent involvement, grants, budgets, technology)
- Overall determination for entire county: 1 (good status, meets requirements)
- Completed 1,481 electronic IEPs
- 44 referrals for Assistive Technology; 23 completed with 16 recommendations
- 13 students assigned Para Educator assistance with an additional 3-4 more for the 2009-2010 school year.
Curriculum Offerings
Many students, county-wide are utilizing assistive technology (AT) in their classrooms. Whenever evaluating for the need for AT,
the team needs to consider what is least restrictive. The more advanced the technology, the more restrictive it becomes. On the
lower end of the spectrum, we have students using portable keyboards such as AlphaSmart keyboards. Several who need more
assistance with spelling, grammar, reading, etc. are using laptops with word-prediction and talking word-processing software.
We have a very select few who are using voice-activated software (software that types what the user speaks), however, this is a
very restrictive type of AT in which the user needs to have adequate voice quality as well as be able to “train” the computer how to
recognize specific words.
Goals for 2009-2010
• In-service all special education certified staff county-wide on the following topics:
- Child Find procedures
- Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED) guidelines
- Prior Written Notice of Referral (process/procedures)
- Update on new guidelines for determining eligibility for Otherwise Health Impaired in Ionia County
• Create guidelines for requesting accessible instructional materials for students who are eligible.
• Electronic IEP monitoring spot check (summer of 2010).
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Autism Spectrum Disorders
PAC Award winners: Three of our staff members where honored
this year by the ICISD Parent Advisory Committee. Toni McPherson,
Kay Swanson and Tom Luehrs were presented with the
Doug Bormann Contributor Award.
Services Offered
The ICISD Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Program addresses the very individual nature
of how autism impacts each person. Emphasis is on assisting students to participate to the
fullest extent possible in the curriculum and activities of their neighborhood school. The ASD
program offers a continuum of services ranging from full participation in regular education to
Our team consists of five ASD Consultants including three licensed social workers, and
two school psychologists. There are 2 teachers, 6 para educator mentors, 1 administrative
assistant and 72 para educators who work under the direction of the ASD Program Administrator. We have had the pleasure of
The efforts of the ASD department are directed at assisting learners to be included to the fullest extent possible in the general
education setting and curriculum. This is based on individual needs and skills. The emphasis is to enable learners to achieve
socialization and independence skills.
Parent Involvement
Parent’s Night Out: Back by popular demand, the ICISD ASD staff hosted the 3rd annual Parents Night Out. The was to demonstrate
parent appreciation. To accomplish this we offered four hours of baby-sitting.
ASD team hosts a family event: The ASD team hosted a family theatre night at Ionia Community Theatre. Students with ASD and
their families were invited to a private showing of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The ASD team provided snacks, sensory support,
and visual tools to help support students with ASD during this special event.
Professional Development
West MAC: Cathy Macfarlane and Joanne Fornusek continued to participate as executive board members of the West Michigan
Autism Coalition (West-MAC), a regional collaborative network of START. Six additional schools in Ionia County participated in
this mini-grant training this school year. These teams attended several training opportunities through out the year. The focus of
West-MAC is to increase the ASD expertise of local district professionals.
Training Opportunities & Events Provided: ASD Para educator workshops - 8; Professional workshops - 4;
Case Manager workshops - 3; Parent Opportunities - 2; for a total of 17 professional development opportunities for ASD.
Goals for 2009-2010
• Improve the quality of post-high school options and outcomes for students with ASD.
• Improve services to families, including offering a parent support and sibling support
group for families with children with ASD.
• Improve or establish collaboration with community agencies.
• Timely completion of new referrals monitored every two weeks.
• Increase staff and family awareness of ISD services using website.
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Transitions
Of the 127 seniors we introduced to Michigan Rehabilitation Services through the high school Employment Training Specialist, 60 have signed up for services. Our compliance on State Performance Plan 13 (SPP13) is 100 %. Independent Living Center
students from the ILC put on the play The House is a Rockin. Students participated in all aspects of this production which raised
over $400.00.
Services Offered, Curriculum and Statistics
We offer three Transition Specific Programs for students who have earned a diploma
or certificate of completion from their local high schools but have not completed their transitions goals.
• Creative Works is for students with mild to moderate
impairments who are working toward independence. Many will
be entrepreneurs, running their own vending machines, making
greeting cards etc... They work on community involvement,
practice safety and independent living skills such as cooking
and maintaining their own living arrangements. The curriculum
includes hands-on, life skills learning through our store on Main
Street in Ionia which is run by the students. Housekeeping,
home safety and the maintenance of the store are practiced on
a daily basis. The learning center is equipped with a kitchen,
tech research area, production space and conference room.
Community residents shop as well as donate items. The
donations are artfully displayed and sold to support the students
as they practice budgeting for their wants and needs. Students
hold volunteer jobs, both independently and supported in their
neighborhood communities. - There were18 students enrolled
in the program. Families consisted of: adult foster care; one
and to parent; adoptive and emancipated in apartment with
a roommate; and a 24/7 on call agency staff. A $500 Grant
was used for a photo greeting card division in the class store.
There was a $2500 classroom budget. There were four district
computers and one student owned assistive technology device
used daily.
- 25% of the students were in their own apartment or Adult
Foster Care: - 37% of the students attended a vocational
school or community college: - 42% of students/grads were
still employed (6 months or longer): - 80% of students/grads
were working and/or volunteering in communities: - 88%
of the students have open Michigan Rehabilitation Service
cases.
• Independent Living Center provides hands on
opportunities in the areas of home living, community
living, leisure and recreation skills, vocational experiences
and training. This past year the students put on a play, The
House Is Rockin for their yearly fund-raiser. Their curriculum
consists of how to produce and star in a play as well as
learning how to “surf the web” for costume and scenery
ideas. The students were required to type out their parts
as well as memorized them. Playbills were printed by the
students and distributed to the audience. - 100% of seniors
met with MRS and ETS to explain services: - 100% on SPP
compliance on SPP13
Great Story
Creative Works: Cori Tipton
uses her DynaVox assistive
technology device to run her
candy vending business. Six
machines in the community
pull in profits that top the
class record. Cori’s agency
staff assist with the business
in the summer. School staff
assist the remainder of the
year. Cori’s self-confidence
has blossomed!
• Transition Central works with students and families to reach
student’s individual life goals. Working through each of the
main areas of transition (community involvement, daily living
skills, employment, and post-secondary education). Students
are expected to participate in volunteer activities, team building
exercises, employment classes, job shadowing, and non-paid
work experience if it fits the student’s goals. As a group or
individually, they visit local colleges, social service agencies and
community service agencies.
Goals for 2009-2010
• 100% compliance on a county wide measurement of SPP13 (All high school teaching staff were inserviced on requirements).
• Increase parent knowledge of Transition by putting out a newsletter every 3 months.
• Increase student knowledge of Michigan Rehabilitation Services. This will be accomplished by the Employment Training Specialist
and Michigan Rehabilitation Counselor meeting individually with students at their high schools.
• Increase community involvement activities for students who are not ready for paid employment.
• Increase staff time with students in their home communities.
• All students are to have a working resume and application template completed by November.
• Parent increased knowledge of transition
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Freedom Acres
• Established regular meeting rhythm for all staff, individual programs, and individual
classrooms. This was done to increase communication, problem solving, and team unity.
These regular meetings allowed for a smoother delivery of services to students.
• The Freedom Acres parking lot and bus lanes were reconfigured and repaved (Summer of
2009) to improve bus drop off and pick up of students. The curbs were eliminated, making easier
access for individuals with wheelchairs and walkers. This project eliminated safety hazards, while
increasing the efficiency of bus drop off and pick up.
Services Offered
Freedom Acres is a unique building housing three different programs and is home to some
early childhood classrooms. The program for students with Severe Cognitive Impairments
serves students from age 2 through age 26 with a wide range of mental and physical impairments.
The program focuses on learning opportunities that include fine motor, gross motor, sensory, and exploration
activities. Students, with the assistance from staff, work on achieving success and independence in all areas of daily living.
Each classroom environment is nurturing, fun, and filled with learning activities!
The program for students with Severe Emotional impairments serves students from age 6 through 19, who need behavioral
support. The program focuses on guiding students toward improving their behavior by making better choices, improving
problem solving skills, and improving self-esteem. A behavioral level system is used with the students, as well as a time-out/
quiet room. Academics are an important part of both classrooms. For 2008-2009 this program was staffed with two teachers
and four para educators.
The Alternative to Alternative A² program serves middle and high school-aged students from the local districts who require
an alternative education program. Program emphasis includes community-based instruction, academics, volunteerism, and
affective education. The program utilizes the Education 2020 system to assist in providing quality academics. This program is
staffed with a teacher and one para educator.
• Freedom Acres School serviced 88 students during the 2008- Professional Development
2009 school year. The SCI program served 44 students, the SEI
• November 3, 2008: Active Learning by Patti Obrzut, M.S.,
program served 22 students, and the A2 program served 22
O.T.R.
students.
- Active Learning is creating a learning environment for
students
with multiple disabilities that provides feedback and
Parent Involvement
supports the learner so that the learner can take action on
• The School Improvement Team explored ways to improve
their own initiative to learn. (18 SCI Staff )
parent involvement at Freedom Acres School.
• November 3, 2008: Trauma and the Classroom
presentation, by Candy Straubel-Sower
• The annual SCI Dance, the Freedom Acres Christmas Party,
- Eight SEI and A2 staff members learned about the impact
and the Summer Program Carnival Day were well attended.
of past trauma on student learning. Including Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder.
• November 3, 2008: Personal Curriculum & H.S. Content
Great Story
Expectations
- Eight SEI and A2 staff members reviewed the latest
Adaptive P.E. Teacher, Carol Ritcheske teamed with the
information on Personal Curriculum and the current High
students in the Alternative to Alternative Classroom and the
School Content Expectations.
students in the Severe Emotionally Impaired Classrooms to
• February 16, 2009: Site Visit: Wing Lake Developmental
put on a dance for the students with severe cognitive and
Center in Bloomfield Hills. (SCI Teaching Staff )
multiple impairments.
- The Principal and five SCI teachers made a site visit to
The A2 students took on jobs such as decorator, party
the Wing Lake Developmental Center to see how they are
planner, disc jockey, and dance assistant as part of a Service
implementing Lessons based on the Extended Grade Level
Learning Project. The students in the SEI program assisted
Content Expectations for students with multiple and severe
with snacks, drinks, and picture taking.
disabilities.
The students in the SCI program thoroughly enjoyed the
Goals for 2009-2010
music, socialization, snacks, and excitement of the dance.
Many parents attended the dance to share this special time
• Explore a school wide dialogue of data needs.
with their child. This was truly an event that brought out
• Explore parent involvement activities such as P.T.O.,
the best in our students and staff. It was heartwarming to
fund-raising, assemblies, and Fun Nights.
see the whole building united and working together for a
•
Explore curriculum options for our unique population(s).
common goal.
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Early Childhood Education
• The Ionia County Early On/special education birth to three programs were determined
to have no compliance issues.
• The Great Start Collaborative of Ionia County was launched.
• Over 1000 children have been receiving books each month thru the Dolly Parton Imagination
Library each month since January of 2009.
Services Offered
The Ionia ISD offered a broad base of early education services ranging from parent-child playgroups
for the general population and early intervention programs for special needs populations.
A variety of services are offered including, parent education, home-visitation, playgroups and parent-group meetings.
Great Parents, Great Start: MDE grant funded program that offered weekly playgroups in Belding, Ionia and Portland; 119
families, and 162 children participated in this program
• Begin with Babies: Children’s Trust Fund 0-3 Secondary Prevention grant program provided home visiting and playgroups to
parents who have multiple stressors in their lives that may impact their parenting; 41 families participated in this program.
• Strong Families Safe Children Program: Contract through Department of Human Services provided intensive home-visiting
services to parents of children birth to three who has been investigated and/or substantiated for child-abuse and neglect;
11 families participated in this program.
• Early On/Birth to Three Special Education Programs: A total of 264 children were served through these programs that provided
support to families who have children with special developmental needs.
• Project Find: A total of 271 children were seen through Project Find when there are concerns that the children may need early
intervention services. Of those referred, 57% were eligible for either Early On or special education services; 18% were not eligible
for any service; 13% refused an evaluation; 10% were unable to be located; and 2% were referred to other programs.
• Dolly Parton Imagination Library: Approximately 1000 children were enrolled and received books each month since January of
2009. We are currently serving about 27% of the population. A total of $27, 573.69 of community donated funds were used to
support the program from September of 2008 thru August of 2009.
• Great Start Collaborative (GSC): The Ionia GSC formed in October of 2008 with 45 members that included 10 parent liaisons.
Accomplishments for this year included: completing the status of Young Children in Ionia County report; designing two billboards
in the county emphasizing the importance of early childhood; and sending over 250 postcards from parents in the community to
legislators regarding concerns over the state budget and cuts to early childhood programs.
The Parents As Teachers Born to Learn curriculum is utilized throughout all direct service programs. Staff utilizes the Hawaii
Early Learning Profile (HELP) as their primary curriculum. A literacy-based approach is also used in all of the programs with
families receiving books to use in their home to support the concepts and activities introduced in the playgroups.
Parent Involvement
The philosophy of all of the programs is that parents are their child’s first and most important teacher! With that in mind,
the department strives to involve and support parents in learning new skills that will help facilitate their child’s growth and
development in the natural home environment.
A series of three full day workshops were offered this past year focusing on promoting a child’s social-communication skills.
Staff members from the Ionia ISD were presenters for the first two sessions and individuals from the START project conducted
the third session.
Goals for 2009-2010
1. Increase/maintain compliance with all reporting requirements.
2. Increase consumer/parent participation in early intervention programs.
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General Education
ICISD and MAISD Collaborate for Success!
In July 2008, Ionia County and Montcalm Area ISD combined forces to create a
curriculum, instruction, and professional development consortium with the goal
of increasing student achievement through effective leadership, communication, and greater integration of
programming across the two counties. The collaboration allows for sharing of resources, particularly content area consultants,
to provide targeted support for issues related to curriculum, assessment, and instruction. This includes offering professional
development a variety of areas including technology, 21st century skills, and service learning in addition to the four main core
content areas of English Language Arts/reading/writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.
The collaboration will continue to evolve and for the 2009-2010 school year curriculum directors from both counties will
meet as one group. Each June a review of the collaboration takes place between the two ISD superintendents who evaluate the
effectiveness of the arrangement in terms of services provided, the benefits to local districts, and financial feasibility.
In 2008-09, the Ionia County ISD General Education Department worked interdependently with Montcalm Area ISD, other
internal ISD departments such as Special Education, and local districts to provide quality programming and services for staff,
students, and the community at large. Reporting for these functions is organized around the five (5) strands for the Michigan
School Improvement Framework. Schools and districts use the Framework to establish goals and objectives that guide teaching
for learning, resource allocation, staff development, data management, and assessment.
Strand 1: Teaching for Learning: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
ICISD worked to help local districts align curriculum, instruction, and assessment to research-based best practices in education.
The consistent focus was to help staff understand and consistently use intentional processes and practices that lead to increased
student achievement. Some of the professional development offered to schools during the 2008-2009 school year included but
were not limited to:
• Establishing Priority Standards in the four core content area
• Michigan Merit Curriculum work
• America in Revolution and Conflict, Teaching American History series (see page15)
• C.S.I. – Creating Science Inquiry
• Michigan Science Curriculum Companion Document Rollout
• Superintendents in the Classroom – Focus on mathematics instruction
• Mathematics Curriculum Coherence Institute
• Units of Study – Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop series
• Service Learning Curriculum Connections
• Using the Web to Globalize Your Classroom
• Media with a Purpose
• School Improvement Series
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General Education . . . continued
Strand 2: Leadership: Instructional Leadership,
Shared Leadership, Operational Resource
• In working with schools, ICISD helps to support structures and processes that
lead to shared responsibility for student learning. To this end, area administrators
met at regularly scheduled times to receive updates that included information
on school improvement, Title I, curriculum, technology, and assessment.
Additionally, ICISD sponsored teams of content area teachers that met to provide
input on professional development and other learning activities for staff and
students.
• ICISD also maintained an active role in the Consortium of Mid-Michigan Instruction Teams (C.O.M.M.I.T.). During the 200809 schol year this group annually plans and sponsors a summer leadership academy. The focus for June 2009 was Purposeful
Leadership: Furthering Our COMMITment to All Learners.
• For the 2008-2009 school year, all districts in Ionia County again participated in a professional development consortium
whereby each district contributed funding to support professional development. This collective resource allocation greatly
increases the scope of the professional development that can be offered and provides for greater economies of scale when
securing high quality professional learning opportunities.
Strand 3: Personnel and Professional Learning
ICISD provided continual opportunities for education personnel to obtain State Board Continuing Education Units (SB-CEUs)
for the purpose of renewing and/or maintaining professional certification. Over 120 offerings were approved by the Michigan
Department of Education for 2008-2009. This is a service that was provided at no cost to local districts.
Teachers and administrators also had several opportunities to earn graduate credit through Central Michigan University for
professional development sponsored by ICISD.
Strand 4: School and Community Relations
The ICISD General Education Department works to create and maintain active and positive relationships with students and
their families and community organizations. This past year, ICISD in partnership with its local middle and high schools sponsored
a Writer’s Workshop. Over 160 students worked with a Michigan author and produced their own pieces of writing to share with
their peers. Other events such as a community dinner, joint school board meetings, and workshops on technology brought
community members and ICISD instructional staff together.
Strand 5: Data and Information Management
Effective school improvement relies on the accurate use, interpretation, and management of data and information. The
ICISD General Education Department provided expertise in the disaggregation of state assessment data and workshops for
understanding and using data for the Consolidated Application. Local districts, with ICISD leadership, also began investigation of
IGOR, a data warehouse solution created and supported by Kent Intermediate School District. It is ICISD’s intent to support access
to IGOR by local districts in the 2009-2010 school year.
Grants and Special Projects (see Grant Development Report on page 13)
Ionia County ISD and Montcalm ISD grant services are designed to help educators and school districts access external financial
support. Conducing grants research and convening writing teams to pursue funding for programs operated by or through the
ICISD are its primary responsibilities. Private and public foundation gifts are additionally sought to complement local, state and
federal government resources.
Specific services for 2008-09 included:
• Analysis of available grants and funding sources to help educators access external financial support.
• Technical assistance to ICISD and constituent school district personnel.
• Initiating community educational programs and collaborative projects by researching funding opportunities.
• Training on strategic grant planning, project design, grant research, and grant writing.
ICISD is also a clearinghouse for public and private grants/foundation resources. Internet sources and hard copy database
information are available as a tool for the grant procurement process.
ICISD has assisted its constituents districts to meet program needs through the attainment of nontraditional funding that
includes corporate and foundation grants. Services to constituent districts include:
• Providing grant writing assistance for K-12 and education partners.
• Seeking long-term support for local major educational initiatives.
• Analysis of available grants and funding sources to help local educators access external financial support.
Grant workshops are offered to build capacity in seeking grant funding to support educational initiatives.
12
2008-2009 Grant Development Report
Ionia (Competitive)
Funder
Project/Program
Award
STEM
Global Education & 21st Century Skills
State Farm YAC
Leadership, Global Ed. & 21st Century Skills
MI Community Service Commission
Social Media
4,200
State Farm Good Neighbors (Saranac)
Service Learning - Courtyard
1,000
Target (Saranac)
H.S. Field Trip - MSU World Languages Day
600
Target (Freedom Acres)
Canoe & Kayak Field Trip
800
Learn & Serve Challenge
Service Learning Promotion
500
ICCF
Service Learning Mini-Grants
3,500
Captain Planet (Saranac)
Courtyard
2,322
ICCF YAC Grant
Ionia County Imagination Library
2,970
IGESL Training Center
1,367
Saranac Learn & Serve
Service Learning Planning Grant
6,000
State Farm Project Ignition
Teen Driver Safety
2,000
MI Community Service Commission
MI Merit Curriculum
$100,000
73,082
15,000
Total $213,341
Formula
Michigan Department of Education
Title I
34,263
Title II - A
14,701
Title II - D
431
Section 57
Summer Institute
6,195
Total $55,590
Montcalm (Competitive)
Funder
Project/Program
Award
Learn & Serve
Service-Learning
24,500
Homeless Grant
Homeless Students
76,088
ARRA Homeless
Homeless Students
122,492
Learn & Serve Challenge (MAISD)
Service Learning Promotion
500
Total $223,580
Formula
Title II - A
699
Total $699
Total for 2008-2009
13
$493,210
Service Learning
2008-2009 Service Learning at Ionia County
Intermediate School District
Ionia County Intermediate School District continued a major
role in the service learning field at the local, state and national
level during the 2008-2009 school year. Ionia County ISD
offered several train-the-trainer workshops on the box. Local
staff provided the box trainings in Arizona, Minnesota, Illinois,
Tennessee and in Michigan.
Locally, ICISD continued to meet goals set in the original
Learn & Serve grant: 1) Increase teacher knowledge of service
learning, authentic assessment and curriculum through
professional development; 2) Increase student learning by
integrating service learning into core curriculum strands; 3)
Institutionalize service learning methodology into the school
program to foster system change.
Service-Project: Blankets for RAVE,
Whitney Holaski and Ashley Morris
Forty-five teachers (K-12, Career Center, and Special
Education) applied for and received 28 service learning minigrants during the 2006-2007 school year. The result was over
1000 students participated in service learning projects in all
content areas. Classrooms engaged 50 community partners.
Ionia County Intermediate School District provided 278 local
educators with professional development on improving the
quality of service learning practice in the classroom through a
variety of offerings.
ICISD provided professional development to Learn and
Serve grantees across the state. Staff provided workshops
at the state grantee meeting as well as workshops at the
National Service Learning Conference in Tennessee. ICISD also
provided funding to take teachers and high school students
to the national conference. This was the first time that high
school students were provided this opportunity. 10 students
attended with one student presenting in several youth
workshops. Funding was provided through a State Farm
grant to address the local achievement gap through youth
leadership and service-learning.
Ryan Wilson-Youth Advisor, Andrew Doane,
Alec Lynn, Jack Greve, Kristen Priest, Juli Harger,
Youth Advisor-Meredith Cronin, Laurel Mattson,
Margaret Helmer, Gordie Stene
Four students attended the National Youth Leadership
Training camp in Minnesota. Three students participated in
the camp. One student who represents students locally on
the National Youth Leadership Council was a student counselor.
Students learned about addressing the achievement gap
through service-learning. Two students also attended the
Urban Institute on Service-Learning in Philadelphia.
The ICISD in partnership with YAC wrote and received a
Project Ignition grant. In 2009-2010, YAC students will use this
grant to create a public service announcement and hold a teen
driver safety summit.
Service-Learning 201,
teachers discussing service-learning
classroom experiences.
14
Teaching American History Grant
The Teaching American History Grant is a 3-year federal grant designed to improve
student achievement by preparing faculty in the COMMIT Consortium schools to teach
American history as a core subject in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms.
The goals of the grant are as follows:
• To improve teacher knowledge, understanding and appreciation of American history.
• To improve the instruction of traditional American history content.
• To improve student interest/achievement in American history as a result of improved
instruction.
America in Revolution and Conflict (ARC) in partnership with the Smithsonian Institute, the American Institute for History
Education, and Central Michigan University provided faculty in the COMMIT Consortium the opportunity to increase their
understanding of the events and conditions that led to and impacted U.S. interests during periods of military and social
conflict.
Content for 2008-2009 included the social/political conditions leading up to major conflicts, key events during times of
unrest, the resolution of military and social conflicts and the long term impacts of those revolutions on American society.
The study of America in Conflict helped students understand current events and the historical
development of the United States into a global leader and defender of democratic values.
Year One Recap: A New Nation (1760-1820)
Concepts studied during Year 1 of the grant included:
• Life in Colonial America;
• Perspectives on life in America from various groups of people
(servants, farmers, wealthy land owners, enslaved peoples, etc.);
• The French & Indian War;
• Pre-Revolutionary key events such as the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre,
the Intolerable Acts, etc.;
• Important historical documents such as the Articles of Confederation,
the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution including the Bill of Rights;
• The American Revolution and its aftermath on the new nation;
• The creation of a new government.
As pedagogy is also a key component of all workshop activities, much time
was also spent on the following activities:
• AIHE signature strategies (E.S.P., Whiteout, S.P.E.E.C.H., bracketing);
• Cicero access and implementation in the classroom;
• Strategies for implementing instructional technology and the use
of multiple history-based websites;
• Various instructional strategies and techniques for use in the history classroom
(foldables, primary source document analysis, role play, etc.);
• Application of all content and pedagogy to the Michigan Grade Level
and High School Content Expectations.
15
Heartlands Institute of Technology
Our programs held their annual advisory committee dinner in November, which included
guest speaker, Robert Kjolhede. In May, we held our end of the year Heartlands’ Awards
Ceremony. Over $10,000 was granted to students in Heartlands’ scholarships.
Services Offered
• Core academic integrated into every Career and Technical Education program.
• Use of state technology standards throughout the curriculum.
• Enrollment: We had a total of 312 students enrolled at Heartlands
• Grants: Tech Prep and Perkins
• KeyTrain: Our school uses KeyTrain which tests students in math and reading for
information to prepare them for the Michigan Merit Exam
• Parent Involvement: VIP Day. Every program has a parent on their advisory committee.
Auto Technology, Building Trades, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Dental Occupations, Diesel/
Heavy Equipment, Health Occupations, Machine Tool, and Plant/Animal Science use technology
to aid in student education. All of our programs follow the 2009-10 state CTE approved
curriculum.
Parent Involvement
A parent is on every program advisory committee. Our staff contacted parents at the
beginning of the year to welcome their student to Heartlands. We held a VIP day for
parents to visit our school.
Heartlands had 5 days of professional development. Our 9 instructors worked on
assessments for learning, which included a guest speaker, school improvement goals for
2009-10 school year, and updating curriculum maps.
Great Story
Child ID Kits:
Our Criminal Justice program created over 500 child identification kits for
elementary students/parents in Ionia County.
Blood Drive:
Our Health Occupations class partnered with the Red Cross and ran a blood drive
that received over 70 pints of blood.
Dental Clinic:
Our Dental Occupations program ran a dental clinic that helped over 100 people
with their dental needs.
Catering: Our Culinary Arts program catered over 30 events (Retired Teachers
Association, Ionia Rotary, etc.).
Goals for 2009-2010
• One new member on each programs advisory committee
• Recruit for increased enrollment
• Increase home school involvement
Heartlands Staff
Year End Awards Ceremony, May 2009
16
Technology
• The technology department offered five technology workshops for staff from basic functions such as file management and
e-mail to manipulating images. The ISD transitioned to Google for Educators for e-mail and a workshop was dedicated to
working with shared Google applications that are available such as calendaring and sharing of documents and presentations.
• We moved the ICISD County from SEMS – Substitute Employees Management System to the new web-based SmartFind
Express. Over 300 substitutes came to one of six trainings as we walked them through how to use the rich web functionality of
the program.
• A Freedom Acres makeover was our summer project. We installed projectors and screens in classrooms and provided
document cameras for staff to use in teaching. The SEI lab was upgraded with new computers.
Services Offered
We provide technology support for our districts, as well as internet for our local
school districts for staff and students.
We provide data processing operations for payroll and financial applications
to Belding Area Schools, Ionia Public Schools, Lakewood Public Schools, Palo
Community School, Portland Public Schools and Saranac Community Schools.
Goals for 2009-2010
• Installation of new telephone system.
• The technology department is continually looking for ways to make
technology more user friendly both in the classroom and in the day to day
routines for staff.
Dave Erbes taking ISD employee photos in
the Technology Lab at Ionia ISD.
Technology Training with students
at North LeValley School
Ben Fox in the Technology Lab at Ionia County ISD.
17
Business Office
Expenditures
$10,116,827
Payments to
Local Districts,
Others
$384,262
Operations
& Maintenance
$1,101,479
Business
Administration
$8,951,330
Support
Services
$5,610,019
Instruction
Personnel Expenditures
Salaries $10,691,618
Social Security
Workers Comp
Other Benefits $981,814
Retirement
Benefits $1,730,827
Employee
Benefits $2,047,401
18
The Ionia Michigan Works! Service Center is your local customer-driven workforce development system – a system that
offers job seekers the tools and further training they require to be competitive in today’s labor market. It is a system that offers
employers the types of services they need to help bridge the gap between new technologies and new skills required of their
workforce.
Workforce Investment Act Services for Adults
Dislocated Workers and/or Youth
Career Scope Assessment
WorkKeys Assessment
Employment/Career Counseling
Job Clubs
Support Services
Work Experience
On-The-Job Training
No Worker Left Behind Training
Follow-Up Services
Literacy Activities
Employer Services
Employee Referrals
Use of Michigan Works! Facility
Reference Verifications
Employer Of The Day Recognition
Accepting and Screening Applications
Employee Skill Upgrading
On-The-Job Training Contracts
Job Fairs
• WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system measuring real world skills that employers believe are critical to job success.
Completion of the WorkKeys Assessment generates a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) which validates to an employer
that a person possesses work readiness skills. One hundred thirty-two (132) clients have successfully earned a certificate.
• The No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) Program is administered by the Michigan Works! Agency. This is a free tuition program to
help Michigan workers acquire the skills necessary to transition into good-paying, high demand jobs. Two hundred sixty-one
(261) clients have benefited from this program.
Foster Youth Program Highlights
The Foster Youth Program offers an Independent Living course. 100% of the foster youth who began the Independent Living
Course completed the course! A Foster Youth Advisory Board has been created to promote leadership skills and community
awareness. The goal for next year is for the youth to have an opportunity to educate professionals in the foster care community
(i.e. judges, lawyers, caseworkers) about their concerns in the foster care system.
Jobs, Employment and Training (JET)
The goal of the JET program is to provide quality services and programs to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
recipients of Ionia County. The ultimate goal is to meet the client’s needs by empowering them through information, resources,
training and supportive services resulting in TANF case closure and self-sufficiency.
In and Out of School Youth Program Highlights
140 youth are currently enrolled in the WIA Youth Program
11 youth are enrolled in the GED Preparation Program
30+ youth applications waiting to enroll into the GED Program
15 youth have graduated from the GED Program
45 youth have earned their National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
13 youth are currently participating in the WIA Work Experience Program
One theme for the ISD’s One-Page Strategic Plan was Reaching for the Stars! The staff at the Michigan Works! office took the
theme to a level that was visible to all who entered the MWA lobby. A competition resulted between the staff to see how many stars
could be posted in the lobby. The stars represent jobs! When told what the stars on the wall represented, a client said, “one day I’d
like to have a star on your wall.” And sure enough–when he got a job he came back to us, not only to boast his new found job–but to
proudly post his star on the wall. What may seem trivial to some is a milestone to others!
The Michigan Works! One-Stop Service Center is co-located with representatives from the Department of Labor and Economic
Growth’s Agricultural Services Office, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Veterans Representatives, and Ionia Literacy Council. This colocation is ideal for offering convenient one-stop shopping services to our community.
19
Ionia County ISD Administrative Staff
Robert Kjolhede
Superintendent
Cathy Wilson
Director of Human
Resources
Cathy Macfarlane
Director of Autism
Department
Carolyn fox
Director of Technology
Deborah Wagner
Director of Grants and
Special Projects
Mat Mahar
Transition Supervisor
Michael A. Keast
Deputy Superintendent
W. Scott Hubble
Assistant Superintendent
Lori Oestrike
Fiscal Services
Coordinator
Cheryl Granzo
Director of Birth-to-Five
20
Michelle Goodwin
Associate Superintendent for
Instruction Montcalm Area and
Ionia County ISDs
Jim Loser
Planner/Monitor
Rebecca Bush
General Education Consultant
Kimberly Young
General Education Consultant
Karen Perkins
Michigan Works Director
Terry Platte
Principal, Freedom Acres

Partners In Building Full Potential

Transcription

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