December 2025
ACADEMY SPOTLIGHT STORY
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has awarded nearly $12.1 million to 121 districts to provide support to new teachers, school administrators, and school counselors.
The funding is for mentoring new educators and induction programming, which is based on a professional development plan and provides support in classroom management and instructional delivery.
Congratulations to Muskegon Maritime Academy for being one of the districts that was awarded funding to support mentoring their new educators.
Full article - Over 100 School Districts Awarded Funds to Support New Educators
SCHOOL LEADERS
Save the date – Charter Leadership Conference #3 - Friday, March 6, 2026 - 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Thank you to everyone who attended the November Charter Leadership Conference. Over 40 leaders were able to participate. Here is a summary of the evaluations.
Key Themes Emerging
- Wellness + Mind-Body Integration
24 combined responses (Staff Wellness + Mind-Body Medicine). This signals a priority on well-being and possibly rising emotional fatigue among staff.
- Data & Instructional Improvement
21 combined responses (NWEA Bottom Up + Dashboards/Data). This reflects a desire to improve student outcomes through better data use.
- Leadership & Personal Growth
13 responses (I5 Laws of Growth + leadership category). Indicates a strong desire for growth-oriented professional development.
MICHIGAN CHARTER SCHOOL SYMPOSIUM
Join us at MiCSS25!
The annual Michigan Charter School Symposium (MiCSS25) is an exclusive event for charter professionals across the Mitten, built to help us push boundaries, learn from each other, and grow together. Join us for MiCSS25 on December 10-11, 2025, at the Detroit Marriott Troy.
Event pricing is as follows:
- MAPSA members - $475*
- Non-member educators - $650*
Use the discount code at checkout for educators who work in your school buildings:
- Saginaw Valley State University- use code SVSU25 for $200 off the first 25 people to register
BOARD MEMBER TIDBITS
Website Transparency
December 1 is the due date that school budget transparency websites must be updated with 2024-25 fiscal information. The Charter Collaborative as well as MDE will be checking websites for compliance. MDE Budget Transparency Guidance and sample forms can be found here.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING
MASA’s Quickfire Sessions are intensive, 3.5-hour learning opportunities based on member feedback and designed to provide school leaders with essential updates on critical education-related topics – the upcoming session, Negotiations & Bargaining, will focus on critical insights to help you lead with clarity and confidence.
Sessions are open to superintendents, central office administrators, and aspiring district leaders.
When: Dec. 16 | 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual* (Zoom)
Cost: $75 per session
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
New Superintendents Leadership Academy was created to support Superintendents who are in the first three years of this tough but rewarding job. Eight in-depth sessions are held throughout the year, led by experts who have one goal: preparing new Superintendents to succeed and excel.
*MASA members who register for the series will receive a Mentor Coach to provide one-on-one support/coaching during the year.
When: January 21, 2026
Where: Kalamazoo
* This session will be in-person at the 2026 Midwinter Conference.
MASA’s Midwinter Conference is an annual members-only event that includes carefully curated learning opportunities specifically for Michigan’s district leaders. Participants will engage with educational thought leaders, explore opportunities to improve the education landscape, and walk away with innovative strategies to advance both their district and their own professional development.
When: January 21-23, 2026
Where: Kalamazoo
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - NEW HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARDS
Michigan’s public schools can choose from up-to-date health education standards using the Michigan Health Education Standards Guidelines after a vote by the State Board of Education today.
Board members approved the first update to Michigan Health Education Standards Guidelines since 2007, which was before social media and vaping were identified as major health concerns for children and prior to the state legalizing recreational use of marijuana for adults.
Link to the full article - Michigan's Revised Health Education Standards
CONTACT US.
The Charter Collaborative
Office Location: Gilbertson Hall
Email: charterschools@svsu.edu
Phone: (989) 964-4623