Friday, September 28, 2012

Nearly 900 districts to apply for Race to the Top

MIAMI – Nearly 900 school districts across the nation intend to apply for a slice of close to $400 million in grants that the U.S. Education Department will distribute in support of local initiatives that help close achievement gaps and prepare students for college and a career.


http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2012-08-31/race-to-the-top-applications/57488360/1

Should parents 'friend' their child's teacher?



http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/backtoschool/story/2012-09-05/teachers-facebook/57581640/1

As the typical teacher becomes younger, chances are that your child's teacher has a Facebook page. What should you do if he or she sends a "friend" request? And should you take the initiative and "friend" the teacher yourself? 

 Lisa Nielsen, co-author of the the 2011 book Teaching Generation Text, suggests these alternatives:

Thursday, September 27, 2012

How are the skills sets of high school students?



http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012120925008
By Mary Beth Marklein

USA Today



More than half of 2012 high school graduates who took a college entrance exam did not have all of the skills they will need to succeed in college, or a career, a pair of recent reports conclude.

View the compelling article at Freep.com which questions how prepared our students are.

New DPS Parent Resource Center


http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012120926069

Callie Neeley, 37, of Detroit, with her neice, Aalyah Clemens, 2, gathers as much information as she can to help her with her 17- year-old son Raymond Neeley at an open house at Drew Transition Center in Detroit, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012. Neeley's son has cerebral palsy and is a student at Drew Transition Center. / Susa Tusa

Detroit Public Schools held a grand opening today for a new office that will provide a range of services to families with special education students. The One-Stop Support Shop will serve parents of students with special needs from any DPS school as part of its new Parent Resource Center at Drew Transition Center.

Friday Night Blitz Poll


Friday Night Blitz 'Fan's Choice' for Game of the Week: Fox 2 will send a camera to the game with the most votes.

Thank you for participating in our poll. Here are the results so far:
Detroit Central @ Detroit East English Village Preparatory Academy
61%
Dearborn Heights Robichaud @ Redford Thurston
12%
Southfield Lathrup @ Farmington Hills Harrison
15%
Pontiac @ Clarkston
12%
Country Day @ Hazel Park
0%


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

United Negro College Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.uncf.org/

About UNCF

At a time when a college degree is what a high school diploma was to previous generations—the minimum entry-level requirement for almost every well-paying career—UNCF plays a critical role in enabling more than 60,000 students each year to attend college and get the education they need and that the nation needs them to have. To live up to the ideal expressed in UNCF’s universally-recognized motto, ”A mind is a terrible thing to waste,”® UNCF helps students go to and through college by:
  • Awarding 10,000 students each year through 400 scholarship and internship programs so that students from low- and moderate-income families can afford college tuition, books and room and board;
  • Providing operating funds for its 38 member colleges, all of them small, private institutions that offer a small-college experience at tuitions that average more than 30 percent less than those at comparable colleges and universities;
  • Serving as a national advocate for the importance of education for all Americans by serving as the voice of students of color through its annual television program, UNCF An Evening of Stars®, a national public service announcement campaign built around “A mind is a terrible thing to waste”® and commentary in national media.

 

For Students

The UNCF Program Services Department manages various scholarship programs. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, open/close dates and required documentation. To apply for a UNCF scholarship, you must apply through the on-line application process. As many of the UNCF scholarships require that the scholarship recipient apply for Federal Student Aid, it is recommended that applicants complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Get in-depth information on federal student aid programs and applying for financial aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

 

Black Excel The College Help Network






Black Excel was recently named as a major college help resource in editions of Ebony (Sept. 2006) and Black Enterprise (Oct. 2006, Aug. 2008). Founder Isaac Black, has been a keynote speaker for the College Board (New York City).
Our college guide is still a featured Black Expressions Book Club selection. Black Excel has "distinguished itself as one of the most popular sites in its category." - Snap Directory Team. We've been a "Top 10" BET pick, and called one of the "top 25 educational web sites" in the nation (I-WAY magazine). You've read about us in Emerge and Career Focus.

 Black Excel Network is an excellent source to begin searching forscholarships and grants.     

Us News and World Report

Is the American Dream Dead?

Challenges to improving one’s economic status


http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/09/25/is-the-american-dream-dead

Henry Ford Community College

Henry Ford College gets $15M job training grant
 
Dearborn — Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn has been awarded a $15 million federal grant to lead a project designed to create high-tech jobs in manufacturing.  The U.S. Department of Labor grant will fund a multi-state job training partnership with other community colleges and businesses.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120923/SCHOOLS/209230318/1026/schools/Henry-Ford-College-gets-15M-job-training-grant

Truant kids to cost families state aid

ATTENDANCE COUNTS


Starting Monday, the Michigan Department of Human Services will require children ages 6-15 to attend school full time to keep their family eligible for cash benefits. If a child doesn't, the entire family becomes ineligible.
The policy change was prompted by Gov. Rick Snyder, who called earlier this year for a crackdown on truancy and the cycle of crime it creates. It takes effect two days before Michigan's fall Count Day, when attendance is used to determine 90 percent of a school district's per-pupil funding from the state.

Click on link below to see full article


From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120925/METRO/209250373#ixzz27Zn9HtQa

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120925/METRO/209250373/1026/schools/Truant-kids-cost-families-state-aid

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

University of Michigan - Flint





Since 1956, the University of Michigan-Flint has embraced the importance of "doing" as fundamental to each student's personal, professional, and academic growth. As part of the world-renowned University of Michigan system, we too are committed to the development of the next generation of "Leaders and Best."
At UM-Flint, the best leaders engage issues head-on, explore varying points of view, seek input from others, and become as familiar with realities as they do theories.
UM-Flint faculty from over 100 areas of study pour their expertise and creativity into the development of research and service-learning projects that match course curriculum with today's most-pressing issues. Such projects bring learning to life, address community needs, and fulfill students' desires to contribute to "something bigger than themselves."
Action-oriented academics is at the heart of the University of Michigan-Flint experience—and why our graduates are so highly sought by employers looking for leaders who know how to get things done.





First-Year (Freshman) Students

Thank you for considering the University of Michigan-Flint. No matter if you’re coming from near or far, our goal is to work with you to make this a successful transition and provide you with a rewarding educational experience. With over 120 programs of study for you to choose from, you’ll not only benefit from specializing in your area of study, you’ll enjoy the academic breadth and depth of a major university all delivered with the attention and support you’d expect to find at a mid-size private college.
The following is a list of requirements for First-Year (Freshman) Students considering the University of Michigan-Flint:
  • You are considered a First-Year Student if you are entering college for the first time following high school graduation, even if you have some college credit earned through dual enrollment.
  • The GED may be presented in place of a high school diploma.
  • Our admission decision takes into account all available academic data, including grades, test scores, and caliber of high school program. The University may consider nonacademic factors in the admission decision including information we receive regarding your leadership qualities, exceptional talents, conduct, and citizenship.

Acceptance to the University of Michigan-Flint

The University of Michigan-Flint has standard minimum admission requirements for three segments of our First-Year student population. The three segments are:
  • UM-Flint Honors Program
  • Standard Admittance to UM-Flint
  • UM-Flint Challenge Program

Please be advised that the following are minimum grade point average and ACT test score requirements, and the university strongly encourages students to submit their best possible averages and scores on their application.
Honors Program Admit – 3.6 HS GPA and 26 ACT (pending final approval and acceptance by the Honors Program)
Standard Admit – 2.7 HS GPA and 15 ACT or 2.5 HS GPA and 20 ACT
Challenge Admit - 2.0 HS GPA and 17 ACT
According to 2011 student data, the grade point average of incoming UM-Flint freshmen is 3.32 with an average ACT score of 22.55.

Next Steps


First-Year Admission Checklist

So, you’ve decided that the University of Michigan-Flint is the place for you. Excellent! The next step is to apply.
Below you can find an easy checklist (Printer-friendly version) of what is required for consideration of your application to the University of Michigan-Flint.
  1. Visit our campus. Before you apply, we would like to strongly encourage you to visit our campus and see for yourself firsthand if the University of Michigan-Flint is a good fit for you.

  2. Apply. You may submit your application online using the SIS Online Web Application. You can also download a printable version; complete and mail/fax it to the Office of Admissions (not available for Mott2UM-Flint Concurrent Enrollment Program students). There is a $30 Application Fee (non-refundable) payable online or with your paper application.

  3. Counselor Recommendation Form: Freshman students need to complete the Counselor Recommendation Form, obtain appropriate signatures, and return it to the Office of Admissions.

  4. ACT or SAT scores: High school students should schedule and complete necessary ACT or SAT testing; our ACT code is 2063, our SAT code is 1853. Testing should be completed approximately one year prior to entry term.

  5. Official transcripts: Request that official transcripts from all previous schools be sent to the University of Michigan-Flint Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

  6. Supporting documents: Although the Admissions Essay is optional, it provides an opportunity to allow us to get to know you better and is used for students applying for scholarships. While you can write about any subject, you might choose to discuss some of the following:
    • Reason for choosing your major
    • Intended career field
    • Motivation to go to college
    • Obstacles or struggles that you have overcome to pursue your education

  7. Request a fee waiver. If you wish to request a waiver of the application fee for reasons of financial hardship, you must apply by downloading and completing a printable application; also complete the Request for Fee Waiver form and return both documents to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

  8. Admission decision: You will be notified of your admission decision within 2-4 weeks of application submission and receipt of all required documentation.


Recent Actions

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

The University of Michigan-Flint was selected as the first recipient of the "Engaged Campus of Year Award" presented by the Michigan Campus Compact. University Outreach continues to expand its efforts to facilitate learning and engagement through thoughtful collaboration and partnerships with campus and community.

CAMPUS COMMUNITY HELPS LAUNCH NEW STRATEGIC PLAN 

Nearly 100 UM-Flint faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders contributed to and helped construct UM-Flint's new strategic plan, carrying the university through to its 60th anniversary in 2016. The comprehensive and ambitious plan calls for action on over 100 initiatives.

INNOVATION IN K-12 EDUCATION

UM-Flint has successful K-12 partnerships with institutions throughout mid-Michigan, including Lapeer Community Schools, the Genesee Intermediate School District and its Genesee Early College, Flint Community Schools, and others. In the fall of 2012, the Dual Enrollment Educational Partnership (DEEP)program will be offered for all Livingston County High School students, allowing them to earn free college credits while still in high school.

TRANSFORMING WITH TECHNOLOGY

Professor John Girdwood connected with Academy Award-winning filmmaker (and former UM-Flint student) Michael Moore via Twitter, and invited Moore to participate via Skype in a discussion with students in Girdwood's SOC 325 class, Family Sociology. Students asked Moore questions "virtually face-to-face" about his upbringing in the Flint area.

WORLD WISE, WORLDWIDE

While UM-Flint's new housing facilities have spurred increases in the number of international students living and learning on campus, domestic student participation in Study Abroad opportunities has increased 45% over the same period of time. New Study Abroad programs such as the Wyatt History Exploration Programprovide unique opportunities for students to explore the 'global classroom' firsthand.

UPGRADING RESOURCES, EXPANDING FOOTPRINT 

UM-Flint's School of Management (SOM) moved from the William S. White Building to the Riverfront Center in January 2012. The newly remodeled, state-of-the-art space features innovative classrooms, interactive digital displays, special meeting and study areas for students, a new finance lab, and a new 24/7 computer lab.

MASTERING PUBLIC HEALTH

The UM-Flint Department of Public Health and Health Services in collaboration with the University of Michigan School of Public Health now offers the Master of Public Health by combining the Certificate in Foundations of Public Health (CFPH) program with additional UM-Flint coursework.

HOME FOR HEROES

In recent years, UM-Flint has invested resources into a series of initatives to improve the way the university serves veteran and active-duty members of the military. UM-Flint's Student Veterans Support Program (SVSP) has helped establish a Veterans Resource Center on campus,  a Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter, and helped UM-Flint become a charter member of SALUTE, the National Veterans Honor Society. These efforts were cited by the Pat Tillman Foundation when it named UM-Flint as one of its 14Tillman Military Scholar partners.

Michigan Virtual University





http://www.mivu.org/








Focusing on the K-12 community

In the late 1990s, the State of Michigan founded Michigan Virtual University to support the state’s economic development efforts by providing convenient and cost-effective education and training to Michigan’s current and future workforce.
After redefining its mission and vision in 2004, MVU now serves the K-12 education community exclusively through the Michigan Virtual School and Michigan LearnPort.

As one of the largest virtual schools in the U.S., Michigan Virtual School offers more than 150 online courses, including unique courses like Chinese and CareerForward®, an online career exploration course.
Michigan LearnPort brings professional development to the K-12 educational community. Hosting a broad catalog of courses and collaborative tools, Michigan LearnPort provides online learning resources and solutions for educators.
MVU provides powerful and engaging online career development tools for high school and middle school students, parents and K-12 educators, including a no-cost online course called CareerForward that helps all Michigan schools meet the state’s online learning graduation requirement. MVU’s web-based application called myDreamExplorer® gives students an opportunity to explore different career pathways, take personal interest surveys and build a personalized education development plan.
The MVU organizational values represent a set of core beliefs that continue to build a high performance team environment. These value statements serve as the foundation for MVU’s vision and mission statements. MVU is committed to the following values:
                High standards for quality, ongoing research and the use of data to improve operational decisions;
                Use of innovative technologies to address persistent educational challenges;
                Listening to customer and stakeholder feedback to guide product and service development plans;
                Excellence in the design, development and delivery of online educational services;
                A professional environment that celebrates creativity, good ideas and initiative; and
                Serving as a responsible steward of public and private resources.


Academics and career exploration, online, all the time
You can take classes and explore careers, online from school, home or anywhere there’s a computer, at MVU’s Michigan Virtual School. Learning can be exciting and you can reach your potential through online delivery platforms with innovative, teacher-led and school mentor-supported classes.

Students

Academics and career exploration, online, all the time

Take Courses

Our online courses feature streaming audio and video, computer animations, discussion boards and more. Are you interested in learning Chinese? We have it. How about earning credit for taking “Mathematics in Baseball”? We’ve got that, too. We’re open all year and with more than 150 courses you’re sure to find a course or two that’ll fit your schedule. Check out our middle school and high school courses.
Go to MVS to learn more.

Explore a Career





The myDreamExplorer® website and CareerForward® course are two career exploration tools that will get you where you want to go: on track for the next step after graduation, college or a career. If you just want to research a career or two or follow a path that will create your Educational Development Plan, myDreamExplorer is for you. If you’d like a more in-depth look at what you’ll need to succeed and how to match your interests with a career, you’ll want to take the CareerForward course. Either way, you’re in control of your future with Michigan Virtual School.
Go to myDreamExplorer page to learn more. 
Go to CareerForward page to learn more.