A set of four Hubs for coordinating training and information flow will be established to:

• Develop information based on student progress indicators.
• Disseminate information to all participants in the education community.
• Support sustained learning leading to changes in the practice related to improving student performance.
• Support districts in developing local capacity to assure quality services to students.

The model will implement a function-based approach that will enable training and development of effective practices to proceed in a coordinated and systematic manner regardless of topical issue. The functional model will integrate diverse and existing state-level activities into a cohesive, coordinated and efficient effort. The technical assistance provided by the project is aimed at building local district capacity to improve student performance by ensuring linkages between sustained learning efforts, local school improvement plans and student performance data. The target audience for project activities will be general and special educators and parents. 

Project Title:	Investing In Our Students Michigan’s Model to Improve the Performance of Students with Disabilities. A proposal for systemic improvement in personnel development based on Michigan’s Plan to Improve the Performance of Students with Disabilities
Primary contact person:	Karen Rockhold
Address:	Michigan Department of Special education and Early Intervention Services P. O. Box 30008 Lansing, MI
Phone:	517-373-9433
Fax:	517-373-7504
Email:	krockhol@oses.mde.state.mi.us
Web site:	http://www.mde.state.mi.us/off/sped/
Date SIG application written/submitted:	October 1, 1998
Round funded:	First
Begin/end dates for funding:	1999-2003
Funded amount /year:	$1,320,000
Who wrote the application?	Contractor
Length of application:	Narrative: 119 pages  Appendices: 3  How long are they? Approximately 25 pages

 

1. What specific products are planned for development? 

• Standards for materials and products.
• Published list of Hub products and services.
• Catalog of nationally validated practices.
• Published list of sites using validated practices.
• Summary of program evaluations and student progress.
• Action Research Guides, summaries of findings.
• Action Research Guides for Institutions of Higher Education.
• Guidelines for making accommodations for statewide testing.
• Resource manual on Alternate Assessments.
• Paper and electronic newsletters.

2. What interstate connections are planned? 

No direct references were made to interstate connections, however specific activities that relate to state credentialing and coordinated personnel development may lead to connections beyond the state boundaries.

3. What strategies are planned for service delivery?

Hub III will have primary responsibility for personnel development. A coordinated team of personnel development specialist will guide the efforts with local and regional support for skill development and application. Hub III activities will focus on enhancing the ability of parents and educators to use strategies such as positive behavior supports to design interventions

Some of the proposed activities that support service delivery strategies include:

• Development, implementation, and evaluation of sustained learning programs.
• Coordination of workshops.
• Technical assistance on data collection, analysis, and application of results to practice.
• Technical assistance to districts on evaluating effectiveness of practices.
• Technical assistance to districts on implementing capacity building grants and meeting their needs for sustained learning opportunities.
• Development and dissemination of guidelines in various areas that support the identified needs and topics.
• Electronic publication/dissemination of information on training opportunities and products.

4. What partnership strategies are intended?

The model proposes to use a Partnership Team and a Management Team to coordinate the overall interactive operation of the SIG. The Partnership team will review data on progress, identify targeted priorities and set topics based on identified criteria. The Management Team will coordinate interactions among the Hubs and implement the established topic.

Partnerships are also an integral part of each Hub's activities. The four hubs will be funded to Intermediate School Districts. The Hubs will be responsible for establishing partnerships with various entities to complete their designated work.

5. Who are the partners?

A wide range of partners will be involved in the SIG. They include members designated by state Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) which has broad based membership (thirty one entities) representing special education, general education, associations, etc. They include:

• State Board of Education.
• IHEs.
• Associations:
  • MI Administrators of Special Education.
  • Emotional Disorders.
  • Learning Disabilities educators.
  • School Administrators.
  • School Psychologists.
  • Speech-Language-Hearing.
• Parent Advocacy and Training Centers.
• State Departments including:
  • Community Healthy, Mental Health Services.
  • Corrections.
  • Education.
  • Family Independency Agency.
• Jobs Commission, Rehabilitation Services.
• Intermediate School Districts.
• State Interagency Coordinating Council (Early On Michigan).

6. What types of contracts or subgrants are intended to partners, LEAs, IHE, PTIs, and others (including lead agency under Part C)?

Each Hub will contract with various IHEs, IHE personnel, parent groups and projects, other professionals, professional organizations, and others to assist with Hub activities. 

7. How will resources be pooled with other resources?

The project proposes to pool resources from existing projects funded using Part B discretionary funds, Part C funds, Grants to intermediate and local education agencies, and Department of Education resources such as Goals 2000, etc. to support the objectives and activities that will be carried out in each Hub. Examples include:

• Michigan Assistive Technology Clearinghouse: to provide support to hubs on web development, communication support, etc.
• Center for Educational Networking: support for newsletters and the CEN Newsline.
• Parent Training and Information Centers: training, technical assistance and problem solving to support hubs.
• Michigan School for the Blind: support work of Hubs II and IV.
• Capacity Building Grants for direct services and systematic improvement.
• Technology, Materials and training for Instruction Grant to ISDs who serve as Regional Centers.
• Transition Services Grants to ISDs to meet challenge of transition services.