September 2025

SCHOOL LEADERS

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE #1 – RECAP

On August 15, 2025, forty-three charter school leaders gathered for a professional development event focused on leadership and growth. The morning session, led by George Copeland, Director of the Cardinal Partnership Program and a Certified John Maxwell Trainer, centered on The 15 Laws of Invaluable Growth. In the afternoon, leaders participated in sessions on Reconnecting the Dots: Aligning Mission, Instruction, and Assessment (Educational Programs), Grants for Growth: Turning Ideas into Impact (Innovation grants for schools and staff), and Professional Learning Communities Plus– Better Decisions by Design. Participants also received copies of The 15 Laws of Invaluable Growth book and the PLC+ Workbook to support their continued learning and implementation.

Future Dates:

• Friday, November 21, 2025
• Friday, March 6, 2026

NEWS YOU CAN USE

STUDENT SERVICES UPDATE

THRUN LAW School of Choice Refresher 

Special Education 

If a student is enrolled under Section 105 (student resides within the same ISD) and is eligible for special education programs and services, that student is considered a resident of the enrolling district for purposes of receiving a free appropriate public education. 

In contrast, Section 105c creates additional requirements for a student who resides in a contiguous ISD and is eligible for special education programs and services. To enroll a nonresident special education student under Section 105c, the enrolling district must have a written agreement with the student’s resident district that addresses special education costs and how the agreement will be amended if there is a significant change in the costs or level of special education that the student requires. The law is silent, however, as to which district must pay for the student’s special education programs and services. If the enrolling and resident districts do not reach an agreement before the student’s initial enrollment, the student cannot be enrolled. 

If a student is initially enrolled as a general education student under Section 105c but later becomes eligible for special education services, the enrolling district becomes the resident district for purposes of providing FAPE and may not “send back” the student. 

Michigan’s schools of choice law is complex, and significant state funding penalties may be imposed for noncompliance. School officials should consult with legal counsel on schools of choice and other enrollment questions.

District Website Updates 

Just a reminder: Action Required by September 1, 2025 

Administrators should regularly review district websites to ensure all posted information remains current, accurate, and accessible. Additional guidance can be found on the Michigan Department of Education – Office of Special Education: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/special-education 

Posting of District Procedures 

To support consistent compliance across districts, we are providing procedural templates that fulfill upcoming website posting requirements. These templates should be adapted and posted in a visible, accessible location on your district website by September 1, 2025. 

Child Find and Evaluation Procedures 

Outlines how the district identifies, locates, and evaluates students who may be eligible for special education services under IDEA. Download Template: Child Find and Evaluation (Template) 

Discipline Procedures for Students with Disabilities 

Details district-level disciplinary protocols, including protections for students with IEPs and processes for manifestation determinations and behavior supports. Download Template: Disciplinary Procedure (Template) 

District teams should ensure that staff are aware of these procedures and trained accordingly. Whether using these templates or an internal version, districts must ensure compliance with both federal and state expectations. 

If your district needs support adapting these documents, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help ensure your compliance efforts are successful and sustainable. 

SCHOOL SAFETY

School Safety:  Michigan State Police Detect and Connect Program 

The Detect & Connect Facilitator’s Guide (1,707KB) is designed to complement the video training series and provide practical tools for leading meaningful discussions on key school safety concepts. This resource helps facilitators adapt examples to their unique school community, professional roles, and local context. 

Under Michigan Public Act 272 of 2024, all schools must establish a behavioral threat assessment and management team by October 2026. Knowing your role in this process—and trusting it—can make the difference in connecting students with the right resources and saving lives. 

INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM

As we continue to support our partners in education, we encourage you to take advantage of the grant opportunities available through the Charter Office. We are grateful for the ability to offer both school and teacher grants—and we don’t take that privilege lightly.

Each year, however, some academies choose not to apply for either grant. While these opportunities are available, we urge every academy team to thoughtfully consider how the Innovation Grants could benefit your staff and students.

SCHOOL INNOVATION GRANT:

• 2025-26 School Innovation Grant Description (48KB)
• 2025-26 School Innovation Grant Application (41KB)
• 2025-26 School Innovation Grant Report Form (112KB)

Up to $15,000 per school building

DUE: September 26, 2025

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TEACHER/STAFF INNOVATION GRANT:

• 2025-26 Teacher/Staff Innovation Grant Description (49KB)
• 2025-26 Teacher/Staff Innovation Grant Application (41KB)
• 2025-26 Teacher/Staff Innovation Grant Report Form (115KB)

Up to $1,000 (up to two per building)

DUE: November 3, 2025

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

8 Free Virtual Learning Sessions based on "PLC+ A Playbook for Instructional Leaders"

by Nancy Frey, Dave Nagel, Douglas Fisher, Toni Faddis and Aida Allen-Rotell

All sessions from 10:00 am - Noon (registrations below)

For more information see the School Leader page.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TRAINING RESOURCES FOR TEACHING STAFF

SOLVING CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS ONLINE TRAINING COHORT - BEGINS OCTOBER 15, 2025

Why do some teachers enjoy peaceful, orderly classrooms while other teachers face daily discipline battles? The answer is that many teachers have not been taught the secrets to solving discipline problems. This course reveals those secrets and presents a step-by-step approach to effective, positive classroom discipline. Teachers continually rate this course as one of the most valuable they have ever taken. For more information, click HERE and scroll down to offering title.

This is a 6-week instructor moderated online course for employees at SVSU authorized charter schools. Participants earn 24 SCECH credits.

School leaders - contact Chantra D. Williams to register your team for virtual courses utilizing the teacher tuition discount offered by The Charter Collaborative. The $148 cost per person may be 100% covered. Teams of 5 or more are requested per building so that they can use what they are learning within a professional learning community for greater impact.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

AI Unlocked: Using AI Responsibly/PBS News Hour Video

Do Your Students Know How to Use AI Responsibly?

Kick off the school year with a timely, thought-provoking lesson that will get your students practicing their media literacy skills and thinking critically about the technology that’s shaping our world. Use this engaging new resource from PBS News Hour Classroom to introduce your students to the ethical use of artificial intelligence and how it can be used as a tool (when appropriate!) for the classroom.