In this episode, MASB's Executive Director sits down with Legal Counsel Brad Banasik, J.D. and Director of Government Relations Jennifer Smith to discuss how the coronavirus has impacted public schools in Michigan and operations for boards of education both legally and legislatively. While things are changing nearly every day, this episode provides some answers and guidance to education leaders across the state. For more resources, timely updates and other information regarding COVID-19, please visit masb.org/COVID19.

MI SoundBoard

COVID-19's Legal & Legislative Impact

We all strive for students to have an accessible and equitable public education. However, we also want to ensure they go beyond K-12 education and complete some form of postsecondary education. We sit down with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Policy Advisor for Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development to talk about how policies statewide are helping kids in Michigan aim higher. 

Preparing Students Through Policymaking

Research has shown zero tolerance policies in schools contribute to high rates of suspension, especially for minority populations.1 Restorative justice is a conflict management approach that focuses on healing rather than punishment. In this episode, we talk with the Michigan Department of Education's Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations Kyle Guerrant to further unpack these philosophies, principles and practices.   1American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, 2009, p. 23; Advancement Project, 2010; US DOE, Office of Civil Rights, 2014

Restorative Justice: An Encouraging Approach

Term limits change the dynamics of politics, especially when it comes to building relationships with lawmakers. In this episode, we sit down with Rep. Aaron Miller, R-Sturgis, who chairs the appropriations subcommittees for the Department of Education and the School Aid Fund to talk about term limits, K-12 funding and much more.

The Faces Behind K-12 Funding

As 2020 progresses, the Legislative Cycle amps up and Gov. Whitmer's State of the State nears, which all means priorities for the Legislature and funding will be further solidified. In this episode, we sit down with new Launch Michigan staff to discuss what Phase I includes in hopes of shifting public education in Michigan by way of this historic coalition of business, education and philanthropic communities. 

Launch Michigan: Next Steps

Each individual student may learn at a slightly different pace than their peers. How is one school district in Michigan embracing a style of education that delivers personalized learning? In this episode, we sit down with Alpena Public Schools Superintendent John VanWagoner to unpack competency-based learning for listeners. 

The Ins and Outs of Competency-Based Learning

Efforts toward a more diverse central office, prioritizing the whole child, retirement announcements and much more is what listeners can expect from this episode as leaders from Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators, Michigan School Business Officials and Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals join host Don Wotruba for a dialogue on public education in Michigan.

The Next Decade: Education Leaders Look Ahead

If employees aren't engaged (and according to Gallup, it's around 70% that don't feel engaged), they can't make a difference for those they work for or on behalf of on a day-to-day basis. But, how do we change that? Josh Schneider, Author and Founder, The Millennial & Employee Engagement Institute, joins us to discuss creating meaning in the role in which we spend such a significant amount of time. 

Creating Meaning In Our Job

At the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) they define social-emotional learning as a process in which both youth and adults acquire and develop their social and emotional competencies. In this episode, we talk with CASEL's Director of Policy and Practice on what systemic SEL looks like in a school system.

Creating a Social-Emotional Learning Culture

For today's students, school athletics look a little different than what past generations have experienced. What challenges is this causing and what new trends have emerged? We sit down with the Michigan High School Athletic Association Executive Director to discuss this and more.

The Evolution of School Athletics

Superintendents face a lot of challenges, including building a strong relationship with their board of education. We sit down with Michigan's 2018-2019 Superintendent of the Year to look at what goes into being an effective superintendent and how relationships play an integral part in achieving such a goal.

Glenn Maleyko, Ph.D.: Michigan Superintendent of the Year

The passage of Proposal A 25 years ago shifted control of funding for public schools in Michigan. As a result, Michigan ranks dead last in state education funding. We sit down with an author of Michigan State University's 2019 Education Policy Report and discuss the crossroads at which our state currently finds itself. Show notes: Read the report here View the report summary infographic here 

Funding for Change: Michigan's Education Crossroads

Prior to stepping into the role of Michigan's new state superintendent of public instruction, Dr. Michael Rice served as superintendent for Kalamazoo Public Schools. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rice to talk about his background, priorities, what lies ahead in public education in Michigan and much more. 

Taking on the State Superintendency

The invention of technology has opened many doors and bridged many gaps globally, but how can it affect a student's learning during the school day? We sit down with a superintendent from a Michigan school district that implemented a district-wide cell phone ban. 

Banning Phones: One School District's Story

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five high school students are vaping and more than half of them don't think the flavored pods they are using contain nicotine. In this episode, we sit down with a public health consultant at the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services to dive deeper into this serious issue. 

Vaping & Its Harm to Students

MI SoundBoard is the Michigan Association of School Boards' ongoing dialogue on the current state of public education in Michigan and nationwide. Listen along as MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba invites prominent education voices from across the nation to speak about what’s happening and the possible impact on students.

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