• What’s happening with E-Rate?
• Are you ready for the next virus attack?
• What’s happening beyond the normal Internet?
• What if you have a fire in your building? Do you have a disaster recovery plan?
• Are you ready for the upcoming Web cast with MSBO?
• Are you saving every $ you can?
• Are we has far as advanced as China in technology?
• Are you using all of your technology?
• Are you making technology work for you?
  

These questions and more will be answered at the 15th Annual MIEM Technology Conference & Expo. Preregistration is recommended as on-site registration cannot be guaranteed.

Thursday, December 1: Opening Session
"21st Century Tools for Improving Academic Achievement: The Future is Now!"
Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Mark Edwards. Dr. Mark Edwards is currently the Dean of the School of Education at North Alabama University. He is the former superintendent for Henrico County schools in Richmond, Virginia. While in Henrico County, Dr. Edwards spearheaded one of the largest educational laptop initiatives in the country. Dr. Edwards will talk about 21st century tools for improving academic achievement, his experience in Henrico County, lessons learned and steps to move forward. Sponsored by: Harcourt.

Friday, December 2: Closing Speaker
"From Innovations to Appliances: Reflections on Educational Uses of Technology - E"
Featuring Closing Speaker Dr. Yong Zhao. Dr. Zhao is Professor of Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, Director, Center for Teaching and Technology and Director, US-China Center for Research of Educational Excellence, College of Education Michigan State University. While researchers have often viewed technologies as innovations, today many of the technological innovations have become daily appliances for students and teachers. This shift has significant implications for research and develop in educational technology. In this talk, Dr. Zhao discusses these implications by reflecting on his research and development efforts in educational technology over the last two decades. Sponsored by Michigan State University.

Register ONLINE for the 15th Annual MIEM Technology Conference & Expo
Click here to download the conference brochure and paper registration form.
Click here for exhibitor information

With nearly 200,000 petition signatures now collected, the K-16 Coalition is closing in on its December 2005 goal for obtaining enough signatures to qualify the initiative -- 255,000. At the same time, the Coalition continues to work hard to obtain a comfortable margin of 500,000 signatures.

Ken MacGregor, K-16 Coalition Spokesman, says, "To allow for the holiday slowdown, and maximize our reach statewide, the K-16 Coalition has extended our October and November deadlines to December 1 in order to fully meet the deadlines of all our 28 member organizations. That leaves us about three weeks."

The K-16 Coalition asks that if you have any petitions with signatures, whether it's two or ten signatures, to please mail them in NOW! We do not want to leave any signature behind! You may mail your petition signatures to: Citizens for Education, P.O. Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573.

Michigan’s Constitution provides for an initiative petition by citizens who wish to bring specific legislation to the legislature. The process requires some 255,000 +/- registered voters to sign an initiative petition (legislative statute). The 255,000 signatures must be validated.

When passed by the Legislature or approved by the voters, this initiative will address:

• Cost of Living Increase – provide annual funding increases equal to inflation for K-12 schools, community colleges and universities.
• Equity – reduce the gap between lowest-spending and highest-spending K-12 districts from $1,300 to $1,000 between 2007 and 2012.
• Pension Costs – cap retirement contribution at the current 14.87% of payroll for K-12 districts, community colleges and universities.
• Declining Enrollment – base funding for K-12 school districts with declining enrollment based on the student enrollment average of the three prior fiscal years.

For further information, please review the "Tips, Hints & FAQs About Circulating Initiative Petitions" and look at the sample Education Funding Guarantee petition (pdf) (The petition may take one-two minutes to download and open). Also, available for your information is "How the Initiative Petition Process Works" (pdf).

If you would like to request a petition for obtaining signatures, please fill out the short online PETITION REQUEST form. The Coalition will make certain that pre-printed petitions are mailed to you promptly, with specific circulation instructions.