Learning
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That’s a wrap on another great Michigan Association of School Boards conference
That’s a wrap on another fantastic Michigan Association of School Boards conference. Over the past few days, I had the opportunity to learn alongside school board members and education leaders from across Michigan about everything from K–12 school finance and student achievement to inclusive governance, innovative policy leadership, collaborative decision-making, meeting transparency and the art…
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School safety is about connection, not just fortification
“Kids need connection. Kids need trusted adults that they can talk to, and they need systems that are going to respond. That’s going to prevent a lot more crisis and tragedy than security measures will.” Those words really struck me after another heartbreaking school shooting, this time at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon. They…
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Educational athletics: Our gyms, fields, and courts are classrooms, too
Great story in the Ticker this morning about leadership, student-athletes, and the work Justin Thorington and his team are doing at Central High School. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Justin, and one thing that stuck with me was his framing of “educational athletics” and student-athletes. The distinction matters. Athletics isn’t separate…
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Student voice at work: Safe Routes to School near East Middle
One of my favorite parts of the new Safe Routes to School project near East Middle School is the role student voice played in making it happen. Years ago, young Trojans spoke up about wanting safer ways to walk and bike to school. They helped bring attention to the problem, adults listened, and people kept…
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We can’t take our eyes off math
We know we have work to do in reading. And we also know we can’t take our eyes off math. This recent Bridge Michigan story highlights a conversation happening across the state: while Michigan has rightly focused significant attention on improving literacy, math outcomes remain a major challenge for students. Math outcomes are more than…
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We don’t talk enough about special education
We don’t talk enough about special education. Yesterday’s Curriculum Committee meeting impressed me with the depth of work happening across the district to support students with disabilities, and I learned a lot. Special education is so much more than IEPs and specialized services. It’s about helping students learn, belong, build independence, and prepare for life…
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3rd Grade Reading, 4th & 8th Grade Math, 11th Grade College Readiness: A Sampling of TCAPS’ 2026 Student Achievement Outcomes
Our state assessment outcomes for 2025/26 were released to the public last week. Below you’ll find a snapshot of how our students performed in reading, math, and college readiness. I’ve included years of data for context (as well as outcomes for our economically disadvantaged kids and their peers)—and connected these outcomes to the goals in…
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Assessments Should Help Us Teach, Not Just Tell Us What Happened
I appreciate the Traverse City Record-Eagle‘s willingness to put education and Michigan’s literacy challenges in the spotlight in today’s paper.* It’s an important conversation, and one I think all of us – educators, parents, school board members, legislators and community members – need to be willing to have honestly. Michigan’s literacy outcomes are not where…
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Our Libraries Are More Than Libraries: Creating Connection in a Device-Heavy World
At last week’s school board meeting, we discussed changes to our student cell phone and wireless communication device policy. Part of the reason for the update is a new Michigan requirement that limits students’ use of wireless communication devices during instructional time. The state law establishes a baseline for districts, including specific exceptions for things…
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August Newsletter
August’s newsletter is out – have a great rest of the summer, everyone! • 2026 elementary school math/literacy outcomes • 2026 secondary school math/literacy outcomes • Looking beyond the classroom: Lessons from the Kids Count report • Community partnerships: Creating the conditions for student success • More than buildings: Investing in student success • How…
