college-students-banner.jpg
Magnet Schools of America Newsletter
e-Choice
February 2016
2016 National Policy Conference
Meeting at the Pinnacle of Public School Choice

Congressman Lewis speaks during the National Policy Conference. "Magnet schools are part of the change that helped open up opportunities for all Americans."
This month Magnet Schools of America held its annual National Policy Training Conference in Washington, DC. It was well attended and attracted magnet school leaders, educators, researchers, and policy professionals from across the country. Over three days, keynote speakers and presenters addressed a wide range of issues related to the recently passed Every Student Succeeds Act, federal education funding, new initiatives supporting school integration, state and local grassroots efforts, and strategies for preparing for the upcoming Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant competition. 

The conference kicked off with opening remarks from Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John King, Jr. who discussed his personal story growing up in New York City and how he benefited from attending diverse magnet schools. He also detailed his commitment to promoting federal education policies that seek to address disparities in public schools caused by poverty and racial isolation. He then took the opportunity while speaking to the group, to discuss the president's FY 2017 budget proposal that includes new funding for magnet schools. You can watch the Acting Secretary's remarks in their entirety on this recorded webcast

Representatives from New Haven Public Schools thank Congresswoman DeLauro for her support of magnet schools. 
On the second day of the conference, attendees headed to Capitol Hill to participate in congressional meetings and to hear from speakers such as renowned civil rights leader, Representative John Lewis. During his remarks, the Congressman told a captivated audience about his difficult decision to join the civil rights movement because of the potential threat of violence toward his family. He also shared his inspirational story of how he met Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and became known as the Boy from Troy. 

He then thanked all of those in the magnet school community for their work. He implored them to never give up and to keep the faith. He echoed the words of Nelson Mandela, "Education is a powerful weapon that can be used to change the world." He added, "You are not only helping to redeem the souls of America, but the souls of the world. Through magnet schools, you are showing us the way, a different way, a better way! You are shaping the minds that will chart the course of the 21st Century."

Afterwards, Congressman Rosa DeLauro from New Haven, Connecticut spoke with attendees about the importance of staying actively engaged in the political process and taking steps to increase awareness of magnet schools. MSA then presented Congressman Joe Courtney with its inaugural Champion of Magnet School Excellence Award for his outstanding leadership to protect and increase funding for magnet schools in Congress. 

Congressman Joe Courtney proudly accepts the inaugural Champion of Magnet School Excellence Award. 
In addition to the many speakers featured during the event, we also hosted a panel discussion that included leaders of the top national education associations. The aim of the panel was to learn about their members' perspectives of magnet schools. The Executive Director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, JoAnn Bartoletti expressed her enthusiasm for magnet schools, for their ability to serve as incubators of innovation. She observed that magnet schools do a particularly good job at increasing student engagement through inquiry and project-based learning. She also suggested that magnet schools take advantage of their unique position within the public school system to provide school leaders with additional flexibility. She pointed out that in many regards they are managed very similar to traditional schools. She then recommended a distributed leadership approach. 

Executive Director,Todd Mann leads a panel discussion about magnet schools with national education leaders.
Thomas Gentzel, the Executive Director of the National School Boards Association, expressed his organization's appreciation of magnet schools, praising their well established role in promoting school integration. During the discussion, he pondered why magnet schools are often overlooked despite the wide body of evidence demonstrating their effectiveness. He quipped, "Magnet schools are not well understood, while charter schools are often misunderstood." 

The Director of Education Policy and Practice for the National Education Association (NEA), Donna Harris-Aikens, praised magnet schools for their ability to rise to the top of what is working in public education. She advised the audience to take a more active role in informing state and local leaders about magnet schools. She also challenged them to take ownership of the policy debate by running for elected office.

Obama Administration Commits to School Diversity with "Stronger Together" Initiative
By Gina Chirichigno and Philip Tegeler

Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John King Addresses Magnet Schools of America's National Policy Training Conference.

Addressing a crowded room of magnet school educators and supporters during Magnet Schools of America's National Policy Conference, Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John King explained his personal commitment to school diversity and the importance of reducing racial isolation in schools. 

"I was a kid who benefited from intentional school diversity, and I'm a parent who prioritizes that in how I think about the education of my children," he said, describing his experiences at two intentionally diverse schools in New York City (P.S. 276 in Canarsie and Mark Twain Junior High in Coney Island). "Teachers at those two schools saved my life," he declared. "They are the reason I am standing here today."

King's children both attend diverse public schools in Montgomery County, MD, which, as he noted, has been working to implement intentional strategies to integrate both housing and education for decades. Now, he wants to encourage other communities to adopt that approach.

Thanks in large part to Secretary King, the Obama administration has now made a meaningful commitment to reducing racial and socioeconomic isolation in our nation's schools, by proposing a $120 million request in the 2017 budget to fund the "Stronger Together" initiative. The new competitive funding program would offer planning and implementation grants for voluntary, community-developed socioeconomic integration plans. The proposed 2017 budget also includes an increase in funding for the Magnet Schools Assistance program, another school integration program. Keep Reading...

Superintendent of the Year - Apply Now! 

MaryEllen Elia was the first recipient of the MSA Superintendent of the Year Award in 2015.
Recognizing the significant role that superintendents play in developing and sustaining magnet school programs, MSA has created the National Magnet School Superintendent of the Year Award. On an annual basis, this award will be given to an individual that has demonstrated: strong leadership skills and a commitment to improving the quality of education in their district by developing high-quality magnet schools.

Last year, MaryEllen Elia was selected as MSA's first Superintendent of the Year. She is currently the Commissioner of Education in the State of New York and former Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa, Florida. 

If you are interested in applying or know someone who deserves to be nominated as the Superintendent of the Year, please submit an application by February 29, 2016

To be eligible, the candidate must have served as the superintendent of their district for at least two years. They must also be an active member of Magnet Schools of America. The winner will be announced during the 34th National Conference on Magnet Schools in Miami, FL May 3-7, 2016.

Interested in Becoming a Regional Director? 

Magnet Schools of America is seeking applications for elected positions on its Board of Directors for 2016-2018. The openings include regional directors from its even numbered regions listed below. 

Region II: Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia,The District of Columbia and International

Region IV: Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina

Region VI: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin

Region VIII: Arizona, California, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Marianas Islands and Trust Territory of the Pacific

The Regional Director serves as the regional contact for all members of Magnet Schools of America within their geographic area. Throughout their two-year term they are expected to serve in a leadership capacity and perform a range of duties including:  
  • Attend MSA's three board meetings held throughout the year; 
  • Represent Magnet Schools of America at local and regional events;
  • Spearhead communications to members about regional magnet school job openings, local policy developments, upcoming deadlines for awards and conference registrations, etc.;
  • Participate in bi-monthly calls with all other Regional Directors, led by the Chair of Regional Directors;
  • Facilitate and recruit applications for MSA's Award Programs (Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Merit Awards, Poster Contest);
  • Identify and recruit prospective members. 
If you are interested in running for a regional director position, please email a letter of interest to [email protected] by Friday, March 11, 2016, 
5:00 p.m. (Eastern). For more information about the regional director position and election process, please click here

President Releases Final Education Budget 


On February 9 President Obama released his last budget proposal of his administration. The FY 2017 budget would provide $69.4 billion to the U.S. Department of Education, an increase of $1.3 billion above the previous fiscal year. The White House budget would also significantly increase funding for the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) by $18 million for a total of $115 million. 

In its Budget Justification sent to Congress, the Department of Education states, "The proposed increase would support a new cohort of awards under a program strengthened by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), through which the administration would continue to support efforts to reverse the negative educational effects of racial isolation and concentrated poverty. The administration believes that one key strategy to reduce concentrated poverty and racial isolation is to promote meaningful socioeconomic integration through the creation of schools capable of attracting students from diverse backgrounds, including across district boundary lines. The reauthorized Magnet Schools Assistance program provides authority to test this strategy and the increased funding requested for fiscal year 2017 would be used for a new competition giving priority to applicants proposing to make socioeconomic diversity a central factor in their efforts to increase racial integration." 

In addition to providing additional support to MSAP, the president's budget proposes new funding to support school districts that are committed to promoting socioeconomic diversity. These new Stronger Together Grants will compliment the MSAP grant and could be used to create new or expanded magnet schools that serve students in areas of concentrated poverty. The president proposes $120 million for these new Stronger Together Grants. 

The president's budget is a tool to outline his funding priorities for the new fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2016. Ultimately, it is Congress' responsibility to review the budget and then appropriate funds to agencies and programs based on needs. You can help influence this process by expressing your support for magnet schools by submitting a message to your elected officials in our Grassroots Action Center

A Legacy of Magnet School Leadership 
in East Baton Rouge Parish Schools

Principal Nanette McCann receiving the 2015 National Blue Ribbon 
School Award for Baton Rouge Magnet High School.

Lee Magnet High School has been blessed with not one, but two exceptional principals: Nanette McCann and Sharon Sims. Under their guidance, the new magnet school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is bursting at the seams with potential as students are bonding in their temporary home at Valley Park on Bawell Street. The "Patriots" are ready for the great things that lay ahead of them at the new campus that is under construction and will be near completion by March 2016. Lee Magnet High School is a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) based school that is set to be one of the most prestigious schools in the state, offering a unique learning environment and experiences for students.

Considering her illustrious 14 year career at the nationally acclaimed Baton Rouge Magnet High School, Principal Nanette McCann is well suited to drive the new Lee Magnet High School toward success. Under her leadership, Baton Rouge Magnet High School has admirably earned many awards at the local, state, and national levels. Under Mrs. McCann's guidance, Baton Rouge Magnet High was selected as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2015 and a Magnet Schools of America School of Distinction the last four years. McCann claims her success is the result of having awesome mentors throughout her career in education. In a Greater Baton Rouge Business Report interview, McCann stated, "All my life I've had good people who have steered me in the right direction. What those people gave me I want to give back." Keep Reading...

Jack Kent Cooke - Young Scholars Program 



The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is looking for high-achieving seventh grade students with financial need to apply for its Young Scholars Program. 
This selective 5-year pre-college scholarship is the largest of its kind in the nation. It provides individualized academic advising, financial support, and a pathway to the foundation's $40,000 per year College Scholarship. 

Support for each student is tailored to his or her unique goals, strengths, and interests and may include:
  • Assistance identifying a challenging high school and a suitable academic course load
  • Tuition for high school, summer enrichment programs, and supplemental academic classes
  • Lessons to develop music, art, or other talents
  • Study abroad and community service opportunities
  • A computer and software
  • Networking opportunities with a high-achieving peer community
To learn more about the Young Scholars Program, please visit: http://www.jkcf.org/scholarship-programs/young-scholars/

The deadline for students to submit an application is April 14, 2016

Share Your Magnet Knowledge in China


Suzhou North America High School (SNA), located in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, seeks an Academic Dean to serve as the primary administrator for organizational development and faculty affairs. Established by the Wuzhong Group and Jiangsu International Foundation for Education Excellence (JIFEE) in partnership with North Carolina State University, SNA utilizes an innovative, inquiry-based curriculum to prepare students for matriculation at top universities throughout North America. 

The Academic Dean works with SNA's Board of Directors and Senior Administrative Team to develop and implement a strategic plan for the school that addresses organizational structures, intra-school communication, teacher recruitment and retention, staff development, and efficient and effective allocation of resources. A two-year commitment is highly desirable. Details of salary and benefits will be competitive and discussed with candidates during the interview process. For more information, contact Dr. Hiller Spires, [email protected] Please also review this full announcement.
 
Support for Students and Educators 

The InvenTeam initiative provides opportunities for high school students to cultivate their creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving abilities and apply lessons from (STEM) subjects to invent technological solutions to real-world problems. InvenTeams of high school students, teachers, and mentors will receive grants of up to $10,000 to invent a technological solution to a problem of their choice. 

Initial applications are due March 7, 2016. Upon review, selected applications will be invited to submit full proposals by September 6, 2016.


Established by children's book author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats, this program will award grants of up to $500 to educators to create special activities outside the standard curriculum. Projects funded in the past include murals, pen pal groups, quilts, theater productions, newspapers and other publications. Public schools and public libraries are eligible to apply. 

Application Deadline March 31, 2016

In-Service Training Grants for Pre-K-5 Math Teachers

Grants of up to $4,000 will be awarded to elementary schools to support the professional development of teachers in mathematics. Costs may include honoraria and expenses for consultants, materials, substitute teacher time, and conference or workshop registrations. While the program does not fund the purchase of technology, proposals including professional development in the use of technology to enhance student learning are encouraged. 

Application Deadline: May 6, 2016

Kinder Morgan Foundation supports K-12 programs that promote the academic and artistic interests of young people in cities and towns across North America where Kinder Morgan operates. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded for academic programs, including tutoring; arts; and environmental education programs. 

Application deadlines are the tenth of every other month beginning in January. 


The program provides support to public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education through grants to individuals to fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences such as summer institutes or action research; or to groups for collegial study (including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences for new faculty or staff).

The grant amount is $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study. 

Application Deadline June 1, 2016 

Magnets Making News 
'American Idol' singers put Nashville school in spotlight

McIntosh and Eisenhauer both made it into American Idol's Top 24 for the show's 15th and final season. What's more, they're now the pride of Nashville School of the Arts, a public magnet school established in Davidson County in 1993.

The first-grader at Seven Oaks Elementary has known what he wants to be when he grows up for a couple of years, and his school's media magnet focus is allowing him to take the anchor chair for a spin.
Diversity is important to Charlotte Mecklenburg School (CMS) District parent Eileen Walsh-Miot. She drives 30 to 40 minutes from her house each way so her two kids can attend Oakhurst STEAM Academy.

Computer programming, coding and information technology are some of the most sought-after skills in today's tech-driven world. You might think those courses are only available in college, but there's a new program in the North East Independent School District where sixth-graders are learning these skills.

Without the music, they have nothing. That is what Kids' Orchestra Executive Director Jody Hanet likes to say about her students to underscore the importance of her program.

Buckner said he began dancing at the age of 16 at Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville while attending a magnet school. Though he started his dance career later than most, Buckner has always been inspired by what he saw on television and said a MTV show about students in high school inspired him to dive in head first.
D.C. Public Schools' teacher of the year can be found in an uncommon area for a high school teacher: a college campus. James Cunningham, an art teacher at the School Without Walls, a magnet school on G Street, was named teacher of the year in December.


--------------------------


Stay Connected!

Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our profile on LinkedIn  View on Instagram


Donate to Magnet Schools of America
Using Organization ID#19411 

Schools Students Want. Schools Students Need. 

MISSION: Providing leadership for high quality innovative instructional programs that promote choice, equity, diversity, and academic excellence 
for all students.

MSA Miami 2016

34th National Conference 
Miami, Florida
May 3-7, 2016


Register Now! 

The Early Bird Deadline has been extended 
until March 11.


MSA Standards
of Excellence Certification Program

Do you want to be one of the FIRST schools in the nation to be certified?

Magnet Schools Change Lives! We all know magnet schools are a cut above the rest with a focus on excellence, diversity and innovation for students. 

To that end, we will launch the first national magnet school certification process in MSA Miami 2016 and you don't want to miss this opportunity - we will take the first 100 schools who submit a full application. We want you to be on 
that list! 

Be recognized as one of the best magnet schools in the nation through the Standards of Excellence Certification Program.

 Attend one of these unique membership only webinars to gain insight and see if your school is ready for certification.

March 30, 2016
1 pm Eastern

April 6, 2016
1 pm Eastern

April 20, 2016
1 pm Eastern


Diversity, Choice
 Excellence! 

February is National 
Magnet School Month!

#magmonth







Follow Us


 

 

Like our Facebook 

page to receive news from the magnet community

 


 
Tweet with us 
 
 

@MagnetschlsMSA

 

#MSA2016 

 


 

Share your photos with 

us on Instagram

 

@MagnetschlsMSA


 


 

Network with us by 

visiting our company 

page on Linkedin