Discussions Begin with 21 New Districts To Build Partnership Agreements

March 30, 2018

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will be entering into discussions with 21 new school districts to develop Partnership Agreements with the goal of improving achievement levels at these struggling schools in Michigan.

“These will be positive, yet pressing, conversations with the leaders of these districts to get their struggling schools back on track,” Whiston said. “We want to provide as many local and state-level partners as possible to help students in these schools be successful.”

This is the third group of districts to be offered Partnership Agreements, with the goal of improving achievement levels at their struggling schools.

Whiston said that the work being done in the current Partnership Districts has laid the foundation for stronger schools, stronger educators, and greater success by the students – helping Michigan become a Top 10 education state in 10 years.

“It’s been encouraging to watch districts making progress,” Whiston said. “What we’ve seen in the first Partnership Districts exhibits the positive opportunity to work together under the leadership of the local superintendent and the local board of education toward improving student achievement and outcomes.”

As a result of improving academic achievement, MDE is removing 33 schools from the list of identified Priority Schools from previous years. Through the diligent work of the educators and students in those schools, test scores have improved and will be expected to continue on their positive trends.

“Schools are identifying the needs of their teachers and students, developing strategies to address those needs, and showing progress,” Whiston said. “The focus on improvement and plans being implemented through our Top 10 in 10 work are beginning to show positive results. They need more time to build from here.”

The 21 new Partnership Districts were identified for Partnership District discussions based on having Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) schools identified in their districts. Under the state’s plan to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), struggling schools are identified as either Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) schools; Targeted Support and Improvement Schools (TSI); or Additional Targeted Support (ATS) schools.

Approved by the U.S. Department of Education on November 28, 2017, this is the first time these identifications have been made, using Michigan’s ESSA School Accountability system.

State Superintendent Brian Whiston will be arranging initial Partnership District meetings with the following traditional school districts and Public School Academies (PSA):

• Baldwin Community Schools
• Detroit Delta Prep Academy for Social Justice (PSA) – Detroit
• Detroit Leadership Academy (PSA) – Detroit
• Detroit Public Safety Academy (PSA) – Detroit
• Ecorse Public Schools
• El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Academy (PSA) – Lansing
• Flint School District
• Frederick Douglass International Academy (PSA) – Oak Park
• GEE Edmonson Academy (PSA) – Detroit
• Genesee STEM Academy (PSA) – Flint
• Grand Rapids Public Schools
• Great Lakes Academy (PSA) – Pontiac
• Joy Preparatory Academy (PSA) – Detroit
• Insight School of Michigan (PSA) – Lansing
• Macomb Montessori Academy (PSA) – Warren
• Muskegon Public Schools
• Pathways Academy (PSA) – Detroit
• Saginaw Preparatory Academy (PSA) – Saginaw
• Sarah J. Webber Media Arts Academy (PSA) – Pontiac
• Southwest Detroit Community School (PSA) – Detroit
• William C. Abney Academy Elementary (PSA) – Grand Rapids

Whiston said this is a positive opportunity to work together under the leadership of the local superintendent and the local board of education to improve student achievement and outcomes, with an explicit and detailed understanding between all partners.

Currently, there are 16 Partnership Districts in Michigan. Two of those districts will have additional schools added to their Partnership Agreements, based on the same criteria as the schools in the 21 new districts. Detroit Public Schools Community District will be adding 15 schools to its current Partnership Agreement; and River Rouge School District will be adding one school.

Next Steps

Under a Partnership Agreement, each local district remains in total control of its schools with support from MDE and partners, Whiston said. Each agreement includes 18- and 36-month accountability timelines when they will be evaluated on the progress toward their goals.

“This has been a remarkable experience with the current Partnership Districts, and helping them start implementing their improvement strategies,” Whiston said. “We look forward to working with the 21 new districts to help them build their Partnership Agreements.”

MDE will be providing resources for the districts to utilize in identifying their needs and developing a plan to improve. These include: needs assessment tools, evidence-based practices, draft Partnership Agreement, lists of potential partners and contact information.

Under a Partnership Agreement, the local district remains in total control of its schools with support from MDE and partners. The districts have 90 days to reach an agreement. If no agreement is reached, the next level of accountability would be implemented.

With multiple partners – including local board members, the intermediate school district, education organizations, business, community members, parents, higher education organizations, foundations – committing to be actively engaged, work will ensue to identify a plan of supports and interventions that will improve student outcomes.

Academic outcomes are a primary focus, and other whole child outcomes that can impede improved academics like health, nutrition, behavior, social/emotional issues also will be addressed.

The Michigan Department of Education works intensely with the Partnership Districts, with each district having been assigned a liaison from MDE. This person is responsible for supporting the district in implementation of its agreement; helping resolve problems and breaking down barriers; facilitating discussions and meetings; and ensuring that the Partnership District receives maximum support for success from MDE, as well as from the partners and other state agencies.

This Partnership Model puts a broad spectrum of technical expertise and resources in the hands of the school district and allows local districts to use community and state-level support systems to drive improvement and self-accountability. The ultimate benefit would be to regenerate a struggling school to be one that helps students and teachers achieve at higher levels.  

New Partnership Districts

Current Partnership Districts Adding Schools

Schools Exiting Priority School Status