UPDATES
Michigan Integrated Improvement Initiatives (MI3)
Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services
June 2010
WHAT’s NEW?
 Center for Educational Networking (CEN) - The CEN site now hosts information
about Michigan’s Integrated Improvement Initiatives (MI3). Visit www.cenmi.org to
learn more about this valuable system of improvement initiatives.
 Michigan Department of Education – Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO) –
o The Procedural Safeguards are now available for parents and staff in American Sign
Language. They can be found at:
i. Direct link to the MIStreamnet Procedural Safeguards page:
http://www.mistreamnet.com/videtail.php?who=mdepsn Follow the
instructions on the introductory video.
ii. Michigan Department of Education- Office of Special EducationAdministrative Forms and Procedures
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_6598_36168--,00.html
iii. The MDE-Low Incidence Outreach and click on Procedural Safeguards
in ASL at http://mde-lio.cenmi.org
iv. The Procedural Safeguards in ASL can also be found on the Michigan
School for the Deaf website at
http://www.deaftartars.com/academics.cfm?subpage=876930.
o The Procedural Safeguards are now available in Braille. Contact MDE-LIO to obtain
a copy.
o Educational Interpreter Professional Development Activities Sponsored by MDE-LIO
 MDE-LIO and DODHH sponsored Workshop, entitled, “Major League English
for Interpreters” will be presented on June 24, 2010.
 Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative (MiBLSi) Cohort 7 applications have been submitted and are currently under review.
 Michigan’s Integrated Mathematics Initiative (MIMI) –
o Convened the 2nd of 3 stakeholder meetings focused on improving mathematics for
all students. Information can be found at: http://mimi2010.wikispaces.com/
o Collaborating with Education Development Center on a possible training series for
the fall. Anna McTigue will be presenting on accessible mathematics at the MITS
summer Institute.
 Michigan’s Integrated Technology Supports (MITS) –
o MAASE member’s survey regarding an Accessible Instructional Materials webinar
series in collaboration with MAASE concluded and plans are being made to
implement.
o The third and final phase of a stakeholder meeting regarding AT services in
Michigan concluded May 10. A core planning team including ISD and LEA personnel
will be convened to begin implementation.
o In collaboration with MDE-LIO hosted a second training featuring Susan
Christensen, certified Braille transcriber, targeting TCVIs to increase knowledge of
digital, accessible materials. Susan will also be presenting at our MITS Summer
Institute June 21-22 in Traverse City.
o Continues to offer a webinar series featuring a variety of topics to improve student
outcomes. We are exploring potential opportunities for collaboration with MACUL
and other agencies to host training during the 2010-2011 school year.
Working with AT Regions to have an AT playground at the Joint Ed. Conference
June 23.
Michigan Transition Outcomes Project (MI TOP) - SPP/B13 Secondary Transition
and B/14 Postsecondary Outcomes data collection has begun. A series of three
webinars (from March 23 & 24 and May 11) are archived at the links below and explain
B/13 checklist items and corrective action. A “grid” that explains the intent and
requirements of the checklist are download-able. The webinars also explain data
collection procedures for both indicators.
o CIMS training website http://cims.cenmi.org/Events/ForLocals.aspx
o PSC Secure website
https://survey.pscinc.com/mde_spp/iep/security/index.cfm?CFID=11952397&CFTO
KEN=34643814
o MI-TOP website http://mi-top.cenmi.org
o Questions regarding B/13
 Craig Wiles at cwiles@pscinc.com or 517-484-4954
 Chuck Saur at csaur@cenmi.org or 517-490-5926
o Questions regarding B/14:
 Jason Hardacre at jasonhardacre@wayne.edu, 313-577-2155
 Matt Korolden at mkorolden@cenmi.org, 517-719-1737
Reaching and Teaching Struggling Learners (RTSL) - RTSL and Ionia County ISD
submitted an I3 development grant application to reduce dropout in the category of
‘effective use of data for students results’, competitive priority-students with IEPs.
Funds were requested to provide RTSL buildings with Microsoft’s web- based early
warning sign data dashboard and support for program evaluation.
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WHAT’s COMING?
 CEN - Look for two new issues of FOCUS on Results:
o Diverse Group of Stakeholders Provides Special Education Policy Guidance gives an
overview and detailed explanation of the work done by Michigan’s Special
Education Advisory Committee.
o Aligning Student Goals Promotes Postsecondary Success offers guidance and
technical assistance about the Individualized Education Program (IEP), Educational
Development Plan (EDP), and Personal Curriculum (PC). The article explains how
these tools are designed to meet specific student needs and guide individual
students toward positive postsecondary outcomes.
This is the last issue of FOCUS on Results that will be distributed in print. All future
articles will be formatted for individual printing and distributed in electronic format
only. Look for a new FOCUS on Results Web page to be hosted at the
www.cenmi.org site in the near future.
 MiBLSi - DIBELS Next training is being offered June 1 -4 (currently filled).
 MIMI – Core Planning Team Meeting in July
 MITS – Summer Institute – June 21-22 – Traverse City, MI – Sessions targeting a
range of topics related to improved outcomes for diverse learners.
 Michigan Special Education Mediation Program (MSEMP) –
o The MSEMP and CEN are creating an online resource center for MSEMP mediators
and facilitators. This area of the MSEMP’s Web site will feature the program’s
extensive mediator training manual. The manual covers the IDEA, special education
acronyms and the dispute resolution system. It delves into such issues as
discipline, compensatory education and extended school year. Online materials will
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Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services
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also include OSEP guidance on mediation and tips for helping parents and educators
prepare for mediation and improve mediation outcomes.
o The MSEMP will be participating in discussions with MAASE about its IDEA
Partnership Create Agreement project. The project is designed to bring
stakeholders together to improve collaboration in special education.
MI TOP - What: The second (and long awaited) MVU-based training module will be
available for review as a pilot during the last two weeks in May. Stay tuned for
announcement, web link and details. We will need some volunteers!
Contact person: Chuck Saur at csaur@cenmi.org or 517-490-5926
Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START) o START is collecting data on transition for students with ASD. Regional Collaborative
Networks (RCN) have been asked to submit the data by late May. The data will be
compiled over the summer and results will be shared with RCN in the fall.
o The START RCN Transition Data Form is available on our website at
www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter under the RCN button  Updates and Information.
DID YOU KNOW?
 CEN – We welcome your school/district stories related to improvement efforts that are
making a difference for students. Contact Holly Sasso at hsasso@cenmi.org or call 517908-3905.
 MDE-LIO –
o Teacher Consultants for Students with a Visual Impairment and School
Psychologists are invited to attend a workshop introducing the new Woodcock
Johnson III in Braille. The collaboration between MDE-Low Incidence Outreach and
American Printing House for the Blind will be held at Dickinson Center in Livonia,
Michigan on June 3rd & 4th. The cost is only $20.00. For details and to register go
to the website at http://mde-lio.cenmi.org
o Three national EIPA workshops were provided through MDE-LIO and 6 local sites.
Participating sites were: Gratiot-Isabella ISD, Midland ISD, Copper Country ISD,
Lansing Community College, Mott Community College, and Madonna University. At
the November workshop, 55 interpreters attended; at the January workshop, 100
interpreters attended; and at the April workshop, 93 interpreters attended.
Evaluation data was very positive for all three workshops.
o Additionally, presentations by MDE-LIO staff on the Educational Interpreter
Performance Assessment (EIPA) assessment process have been given to Oakland
Community College, Lansing Community College, Mott Community College, and the
Midland-Saginaw ISD interpreter group.
o Educational Interpreter DATA
 The October interpreter self-reported zoomerang survey data has been
compiled and has been available on the MDE-LIO website since April.
 By June 8th, Michigan EIPA data will be available. Data is currently being
analyzed comparing previous interpreter certifications, regions, and
educational background, and areas of need (by subscores) with EIPA scores.
This information may be helpful, if you intend to provide public comment for
the proposed 1982-PA204 Revised 2007 interpreter rules, which seem to be
nearing completion and could be available summer or early Fall for public
comment.
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MITS –
o The Lending library has moved back to Lansing. The lending library offers
educators the opportunity to try assistive technology equipment and software with
their students before they purchase it. View the lending library materials at
http://www.cenmi.org/mits/LendingLibrary.aspx.
o Working on a repository of accessible instructional materials created by the districts
with the intent to reduce duplication of effort and improve timely delivery. Digital
rights management software has proven to be more challenging than anticipated
but progress is being made and we anticipate completion over the summer.
o Publishers are beginning to offer accessible textbooks for sale. MITS will be
gathering information about which publishers are offering accessible textbooks and
posting those on our site. It is advisable that publishers offering accessible
textbooks for sale be given preference thus avoiding eligibility issues and aligning
with other educational initiatives such as RtI, etc.
MSEMP - The MSEMP makes presentations to school districts across the state to
inform educators of its mediation and IEP facilitation services. Presentations can be
conducted at ISDs, local districts and local schools. To schedule, contact 1-8008RESOLVE to reach the MSEMP center that serves your district. Or contact the MSEMP
Lansing office at 517-485-2274.
MI TOP - The 2010-11 transition coordination grant award estimate has been
distributed to ISDs. Three years ago, we forecasted the “service dollars” would be
eliminated. Although the service dollar portion is gone, there is an additional amount
that will be available to support costs incurred for transition coordination. Detail about
these allowable costs will be in the MEGS-based grant application. Please stay tuned,
or contact Laurie Bradley at lbradley@cenmi.org
RTSL –
o What: Regional Data Warehouse production of the Early Warning Sign (EWS)
Reports is scheduled to provide schools with this data in the fall. EWS data is valid
for students with IEPs and without IEPs.
o Contact Leisa Gallagher for a NHSC powerpoint which cross references national
patterns to be on- and off track for graduation with disability categories. SEAC
members reported high interest in this data.
o What: The probe questions now integrated into the CIMS2 electronic workbook for
Indicator 2/Dropout are based on the National Dropout Prevention Center-Students
with Disabilities (NDPC-SD)’s probe questions for assessing risk of dropout.
UPCOMING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
 CEN - Learn more about Michigan’s Integrated Improvement Initiatives (MI3) at the
MAASE Summer Institute. The MI3 model of system improvement consists of
applications that can be used across any system change effort. Learn how you can
develop capacity in your education system and sustain improved results over time.
Increase your awareness about available resources and support for general and special
education stakeholders through the MDE, OSE-EIS, and MI3. Watch for the MAASE
Summer Institute agenda for the specific day and time of this presentation.
www.cenmi.org
 MiBLSi - High School PBS Summit; August 10-11, Lansing Ramada Inn;
http://miblsi.cenmi.org/Events/Details/tabid/369/EventId/619/Default.asp
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Michigan’s Integrated Improvement Initiatives (MI3) –
o MI3 Learning Forum on Coaching – June 9 & 10, 2010; Ramada Lansing Hotel &
Conference Center. To register, click on link.
http://www.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0021-0003cb99635fed8c448588b5fae7b70c9ac3 .
MITS – Summer Institute - June 21-22 – Traverse City; To register, click on
link:
http://mits.cenmi.org/Events/EventDetails/tabid/502/EventId/424/Default.aspx
RTSL –
o What: Save the Date- August 11 and 12-Dropout Prevention Conference in
Dearborn. Johns Hopkins researchers, Dr. Nettie Letgers and Dr. Martha MacIver
will be the featured speakers.
o Contact person: Leisa Gallagher, RTSL Co-Director and State Superintendent’s
Dropout Challenge Coordinator
START –
o START/NPDC (National Professional Development Center on ASD) Summer
Institute
June 21- 24, 2010 at the Lexington Lansing
o Summer Conference:
June 28 & 29, 2010 – Asperger Syndrome; 8:30-3:30 at the GVSU Loosemore
Auditorium in Grand Rapids
o Early Childhood Summer Institute; August 16-18, 2010; Hosted by the Upper
Peninsula Autism Network RCN; Northern Michigan University, Marquette
www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter and click on START Events
o IEP Development and Implementation for students with ASD:
August 24, 2010 at St. Clair ISD
HOT TOPICS
 MITS –
o NIMAS Contract language is a hot topic. Districts need to be aware that publishers
are not obligated to submit a NIMAS file to the NIMAC if not specified in their
contract.
o AIM Brochures are available targeting Administrators, Curriculum Directors, and
Decision Making Teams.
UPDATES & REMINDERS
 MITS Summer Institute – June 21-22 featuring Dave Edyburn (University of
Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Anna McTigue, EDC; Susan Christensen; Register here:
http://mits.cenmi.org/Events/EventDetails/tabid/502/EventId/424/Default.aspx
 MSEMP - The MSEMP’s most recent newsletter includes a cover article on using
mediation in conjunction with a formal complaint. Used successfully, mediation can
alleviate the need to process a complaint to its conclusion. Mediation agreements can
prompt withdrawals or at least eliminate resolved issues. The newsletter, Reaching
Agreement, can be viewed on the MSEMP Web site, http://msemp.cenmi.org
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