2024 MASA Fall Conference

Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring distinguished educational leaders who have participated in MASA's transformative Beyond Equity program. Superintendents from last year’s Beyond Equity cohort will join MASA’s Dr. Sarena Shivers & Dr. Brian Davis to share their experiences and reflections on this comprehensive journey toward creating more equitable and inclusive school environments.  Michigan Virtual will moderate this panel.
 
This session will highlight the transformative impact of the Beyond Equity program and explore the next steps these districts are taking to further their equity initiatives. Join us for a candid discussion on the challenges, successes, and future directions in creating more inclusive and equitable school systems.

Join us in a dynamic, interactive session where we explore the transformative power of storytelling to maintain and build public support for special education. This session will provide attendees with an easy-to-follow communication plan that you can take back and share with school communicators in your district. A plan that was developed collaboratively between communications experts and special education leaders and bridges the gap between the need for positive storytelling and the practical how-to of crafting and telling our stories. However, this is about much more than just a plan; it's about amplifying the voice of our students, families, and educators. It’s about letting those who know special education best, write the script. The communication plan and presentation were developed collaboratively between communication experts and special education leaders and will introduce tools specifically designed to bridge the gap between the need for positive special education narratives and the practical how-to of crafting and telling our stories. During this session, we will walk you through engaging examples from Michigan's school districts. These success stories not only highlight the capabilities and achievements of students with disabilities but also showcase how anyone can make a significant impact through storytelling. If we don’t share our story, somebody else will. Prepare to be inspired and equipped to make a tangible difference in how special education is understood within your communities. Takeaways: 1. Raise awareness of the educational journey and gains of Michigan students with disabilities. 2. Streamline statewide advocacy to support and improve inclusive educational practices in Michigan. 3. Press strategy to amplify the positive stories, policies, and educational gains of Michigan students with disabilities.

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.