MASA, in collaboration with Wexford-Missaukee ISD, Wayne RESA, Michigan ASCD, and with funding from a Title II-Part D 21st Century Leadership Grant is proud to introduce SE2T2. This grant-funded program will provide ongoing support and a series of learning opportunities for school district superintendents and intermediate school district superintendents, as well as front line assistants, for relevant use of integrated technology tools to advance their own skills, dispositions, knowledge, and technology-implementation strategies in pursuit of focused systemic change within their districts.

 

Each participant will be provided learning opportunities specifically focused on widening their understanding of the dropout crisis and the need for Universal Design for Learning. In today's schools, the mix of students is more diverse than ever. Educators are challenged to teach all learners to high standards, yet a single classroom may include students who struggle to learn for a number of reasons. New technologies offer multiple opportunities to invite these students to participate in compelling, non-traditional projects that engage their understanding of new media.

 

It should be noted that this grant does not intend to cover costs related to a district implementing anything from an upgraded web site to online classes to video production, or any other specific initiative they may decide to pursue. The grant will help the district leader to learn about and work with others to decide on a direction the district will dedicate its efforts to fulfill. Participation will provide support in pursuit of these goals.

Each participant will be asked to identify a personal/professional growth goal related to serving all students more effectively with a technology component that they see as being purposeful for their school district. Potential technologies are: Producing podcasts; blogging; video production and sharing; online conferencing; web site development; Web 2.0 opportunities; response pad/clickers; online classes and workshops; audio/visual chats; multimedia presentations; networking (professional and social); or another technology that meets the participant's goal.

SE2T2 is accepting participants in two ways...

 

Each participant will follow a self-directed path for their learning based on goal(s) developed by the individual participant. Each participant will be expected to choose the appropriate technologies for addressing both their own and the district's growth needs. As a district leader decides on specific technologies, he or she will be assisted through our web site and other resources to learn more and to specifically apply those technology tools and resources to their district. Open enrollment participants will have access to the SE2T2 web site, which will offer technology education resources. Participants will also be invited to attend online learning opportunities, such as webinars, and participate in peer-to-peer sessions with other SE2T2 participants.

 

This is a limited enrollment of 15 superintendents for the first five months of the grant. In addition to the benefits of Open Enrollment, members of this group will be paired with a technology mentor who will work one-on-one to establish a technology strategy, and offer instruction and guidance. Beta participants should expect to average one to two contacts per week with their mentor during the five month period. Additionally, Beta participants should, in the future, be willing to act as technology mentors to other superintendents.

All participants will be encouraged to share what they are learning and implementing related to Universal Design for Learning, attacking the dropout crisis, and effectively using technology within their districts. The peer-to-peer learning will be a significant component of the overall learning stimulated by this project. Capturing stories of change (professional and district related) will be encouraged. Ultimately, learning between participants will be one of the main sources of learning and outcomes that will lead to sustainability for all involved.

All members of the Courageous Journey, all new superintendents, and all superintendents of high priority schools are eligible to enroll as SE2T2 members. We will accept 80 during the first enrollment and an additional 30 at the start of the 2010-2011 school year.

 

To join now, contact Jeremy Harder, Technology & Design Coordinator at MASA, by calling 517.327.9259 or by e-mail. Pleas be sure to indicate your preference for either Open Enrollment, or the intense level Beta Enrollment. Both levels will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

SE2T2 participants will have access to support and learning opportunities for the following technologies:

Other technologies may be available upon request.