Magnet Schools of America

18 States & D.C. Named Race to Top Round 2 Finalists

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:03:31 -0400

According to an Education Week article, "Education Secretary Arne Duncan picked 19 finalists, including Hawaii and Arizona as surprise picks, to compete in the interview portion of the Race to the Top Round Two competition. That means each state will assemble a group of five people to come to Washington the week of August 9 to make theirÂ final, last-ditch pitchesÂ for a portion of the $3.4 billion in federal money still left in the pot." For the complete article, pleaseÂ click here.Â

Protests, arrests mark Wake schools meeting

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:12:50 -0400

According to a News & Observer article, "Hundreds sang and marched downtown to fight the possibility of resegregated schools, two high-profile civil rights leaders got arrested again for the cause and police hauled handcuffed protesters out of a chaotic, and disrupted Wake County school board meeting."

MSA joins CEF campaign to help save teacher jobs

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:10:00 -0400

The Committee for Education Funding (CEF) recently sent the attached letter to the United States Senate urging senators to follow the House of Representatives and pass a bill to help save education jobs. Magnet Schools of America is one of 185 signers. As stated in the letter, "theEducation Jobs Fund will distribute monies in the same manner as the AmericanRecovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which has already been credited withsaving over 300,000 education jobs.Â Thisprogram worked as it was intended andÂ can continue to do so,Â if theSenate acts quickly.Â We stand firmlybehind the passage of an Education Jobs Fund and the Pell grant shortfall funds.Â Because some have concerns with the educationoffsets in the House-passed supplemental, we urge the Senate to work with theHouse and the Administration to craft a package that can garner the neededvotes for swift passage.Â We believe thatthrough collaboration weÂ can move this bill forward in a timelymanner,Â saveÂ jobs, ensure college opportunity, and improve education forall of America'sstudents."

The letter in its entirety is attached below.Â Â

We ask thatyou act in the interest of our nation's students and the teachers and otherdedicated employees who serve them admirably every day.Â

2010 MSAP Grant Applicants by State

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:20:00 -0400

A total of 98 MSAP grant applicantsÂ submitted applicationsÂ for the 2010-2013 Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP) Grant. Click here forÂ the complete MSAP applicant listing.

NAACP Plans March Against Wake Schools Assignment Plan

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:07:35 -0400

State NAACP leaders say they will march to stop the Wake County School Board from "resegregating" schools. The civil rights group, along with church leaders, is urging people to join them in the march on July 20 at 10 a.m. starting at the Raleigh Convention Center.

The full article can be accessed here.

NEA's Delegates Vote 'No Confidence' in Race to the Top

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:05:02 -0400

According to an Education Week story, "after a protracted debate, delegates to the National Education Association voted on Sunday to take a position of "no confidence" in the U.S. Department of Education's Race to the Top guidelines and in the use of competitive grants as a basis for the reauthorization of ESEA." To access the article in its entirety, click here.

Study Finds No Clear Edge for Charter Schools

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:19:20 -0400

Students who won lotteries to attend charter middle schools performed, on average, no better in mathematics and reading than their peers who lost out in the random admissions process and enrolled in nearby regular public schools, according to a national study released today. For the complete article, click here.

Magnet Schools account for almost half of Newsweek's Top High Schools

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:17:08 -0400

Each year, Newsweek Magazine picks the best high schools in the country based on how hard school staffs work to challenge students with advanced-placement college-level courses and tests.Â Of the top 100 high schools listed, 49 are magnet schools. For the complete list, click here.

Edisonâs physical transformation underway

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:13:51 -0400

Students enrolled in Miami Edison Senior High's visual and performing arts program will study in a state-of-the-art TV studio when renovations are complete in the fall.

The upgraded studio is among the first projects in a plan to completely rebuild Miami Edison into a magnet based around four "academies" intended to create a collegiate atmosphere at the school.
"We hope this will encourage and motivate them to take advantage of what's around them," said Leon Maycock, dean of student affairs at Edison, who came to the school last July.

For the complete article, click here.

Lansing Superintendent, MSA Board member to Serve as Executive Board President to Michigan Association of School Administrators

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:00:31 -0400

(LANSING) - Dr. T.C. Wallace Jr., Superintendent, Lansing School District, will serve in leadership positions for two prestigious statewide and national educational organizations. Wallace will serve as the Executive Board President of the Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Wallace has also been named to the Board of Directors for the Magnet Schools of America.
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As President of MASA, Wallace will lead an organization representing more than 700 public school superintendents and first-line assistants. He will assume his new office following an installation ceremony at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 11 at the University Club of MSU, 3435 Forest Road.
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"The experience and knowledge T.C. Wallace Jr., brings to the leadership of MASA is invaluable. Having him as president will take the Association to exciting new levels," said William H. Mayes, MASA Executive Director.Â Â
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Wallace has been a member of MASA for 20 years, joining the MASA Executive Board as a Director in 2007 and was elected President Elect in 2009-10.
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"Serving as MASA Executive Board President is a tremendous honor," said Wallace. "These are the most challenging times for K-12 education that I've seen in my career. It's my hope that MASA and other education groups can help promote viable solutions to the state's public school funding crisis."
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MASA is the only statewide association that represents the superintendents and first-line administrators of Michigan's local and intermediate school districts. The mission of MASA is to develop leadership and unity within its membership to achieve the continuous improvement of public education in Michigan.
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As a member of the Board of Directors for Magnet Schools of America, Wallace's focus is dedicated to the continuation and growth of magnet schools. He is one of six specialized directors on the 30-member Board. His term is two years, and was named to the post on May 5 during Magnet Schools of America's Annual Business Meeting.
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"We are delighted to have Dr. Wallace contribute his knowledge and experience to our Board of Directors," said Dr. Robert Brooks, Magnet Schools of America executive director. "He will provide invaluable input as we work through our strategic planning agenda."
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"Magnet schools have been a great part of our success in the Lansing School District, and I want to do what I can to ensure they are supported and recognized on a national level," Dr. Wallace said.

The mission of Magnet Schools of America is to provide leadership for innovative instructional programs that promote equity, diversity and academic excellence in public school choice programs.
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Lansing Magnet schools are funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Magnet Schools Assistance Program. Lansing Magnet programs focus on the visual and performing arts; math, science and engineering; Montessori; leadership, law and government; and International Baccalaureate.

An educator for more than 40 years, Wallace's 24 year career as a school superintendent began in Buena Vista, Michigan. He has also served as superintendent in Jackson, Mississippi, Roosevelt, New York and Mt. Clemens, Michigan, and has been superintendent in Lansing, Michigan since 2007.
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