At the Institute

The Michigan Association of State and Federal Program Specialists (MAS/FPS, say it really fast, if you can) is an organization that believes in all kids. But the organization's focus is on at risk children, especially those who are in Title I programs throughout Michigan. Title I is a federally–funded program that sends great amounts of money to schools across the country. It's not free money, though. It's tied to a great deal of accountability: professional development, parent involvement, proper identification of eligible kids, etc.

The Fall Institute, in Lansing, provides reminders to folks about what is needed, required, necessary, for successful programs. Yesterday, we learned about the framework, e.g. legislation (NCLB, etc.) and today we'll learn the "how to."

As I've worked through the process of writing our district's Consolidated Application — federal and state programs that bring money into our district and pay for several people's jobs — I've learned a great deal. Several hours into what's called an LEA Planning Cycle, lots of time into creating a plan to pay for Title I and Title IIA; time spent determining how to cover 31A expsenses ... In the back of my mind the whole time is someone saying in a serious and booming voice, "With great money, comes careful creation and accountability" like Uncle Ben in Spider–man.

Of course, I submitted the application in August and received information about what I need to redo. The information about what to "fix" arrived a month later, in late September. I had a meeting scheduled with our MDE Field Services Representative. He is the person who allows our application(s). He didn't show up to the meeting so I called his office. I was informed that "he's on a special project." They then connected me with my interim FS Representative. I'm working on fixing the application and it's into November. The process has been eye–opening and difficult.

Truly, with great money comes greater focus ...

Oh, and feel free to read the organization's eNews newsletter. The editor does a decent job ...