2024 MASA Fall Conference

In this session, participants will develop a better understanding of the State financial aid programs, learn about student data available in the MiSSG High School Counselor Portal, and other interactive MI Student Aid resources available to assist high school counselors and support staff with inspiring and motivating students towards their post-secondary path. Superintendents and administrators who attend this session will acquire practical strategies for integrating MI Student Aid services into their schools and how they can help support their high school counselors in implementing these services into their work with students. Additionally, this workshop will foster collaboration among participants, facilitating the exchange of ideas and resources to help create a college going culture within their school districts. Takeaways: 1. Superintendents and administrators will understand how their high schools can access valuable student level data available in the MiSSG High School Counselor Portal. 2. Superintendents and administrators will understand the various resources and support available through MI Student Aid to assist high school counselors in post-secondary efforts/planning at their school. 3. Superintendents and administrators will have a better understanding of state financial aid programs and how they can empower their high school counselors to engage with services provided by MI Student Aid through continuous partnership.

Equitable family engagement has emerged as a primary predictor for student academic success. Studies of family engagement in education reveal large associations between family engagement and success for students. Child outcomes improve considerably when schools and families collaborate on individual children’s needs, goals, programs, and progress. Promoting family engagement through effective home to school collaborations supports the continuity of learning and outcomes for children and families. This session will provide relevant equitable family engagement practices that will help schools and agencies support families. Takeaways: Attendees will learn evidence based equitable family engagement practices that can be used prenatal through postsecondary to improve outcomes for students and their families. Attendees will be introduced to the new MiFamily Engagement Center work currently being done to support schools and agencies around the state. Finally, attendees will gain access to the early literacy administrative briefs that can be used to guide family engagement literacy efforts.