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Introduction to School Board Service - CBA101 (6 units)
This introductory course to school governance covers topics such as visionary leadership, communication skills, meeting management, roles and responsibilities and decision making. Every new board member should consider taking this course for a great overview of school board leadership.
n/a
Online
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Lansing
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Lansing
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Lansing
6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Clinton Twp
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Jackson
Policy - CBA102 (3 units)
This class is designed to teach the necessary skills and knowledge for establishing policy. You will learn how to identify common policy errors, develop procedures, oversee policy and use the Policymaker's Checklist.
School Finance & School Budget - CBA103 (3 units)
The first portion of this class deals with the current State School Aid Act and its importance to and future impact on local boards of education. The second portion explores development and monitoring phases of a local district's budget, and includes some of the pitfalls that board members might face.
Basic School Law - CBA104 (3 units)
The school law class gives board members an overview of the school code governing Michigan school districts. Important issues like general liability, conflict of interest, administrators' contracts and current trends and controversies in school law are covered.
n/a
Online
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Clare
Curriculum & Instruction - CBA105 (3 units)
The forces that drive changes in curriculum, instruction and assessment in schools are here in the form of global competition and an education gap never before seen in the United States. This introductory course will provide board members with an understanding of the changing world, components of an effective curriculum delivery system, and the board's role in curriculum, instruction and assessment in order to enable student achievement.
Community Relations Leadership - CBA106 (3 units)
Learn the basics of building strong community support for schools and education. The focus is on generating enthusiasm for public education and transforming it into positive community involvement. Assess the image of your board/district, explore techniques for overcoming a negative image, identify internal and external publics and develop communication strategies for targeted groups.
n/a
Online
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Clare
Labor Relations - CBA107 (3 units)
Board members will become acquainted with the nature and language of labor relations and public schools. The relationship of the Public Employee’s Relation Act to the Michigan Employment Relation Commission will be emphasized.
Legislation - CBA108 (3 units)
Learn about the legislative process, lobbying techniques, current legislative issues and how board members can begin to affect legislation through grassroots involvement.
n/a
Online
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Grand Rapids
Technology - CBA109 (3 units)
This course is designed to acquaint you with the prevailing issues school districts are facing as technology infuses the school curriculum. You will learn the importance of curriculum driving technology, what a model technology plan looks like, why districts need to provide staff development, strategies for replacement and maintenance of hardware, distance learning and policies and code of conduct for Internet use. This course is not designed for hands-on experience, but provides board members with a vision of technology for today’s students. Please bring your district's technology plan.
Open Meetings Act - CBA214 (3 units)
What are all the aspects of the Michigan Open Meetings Act? Is your board in full compliance? What are the latest Attorney General opinions and how do they affect your governance roles? This three-hour discussion/Q & A will explore these and other areas.
6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Clinton Twp
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Jackson
Advanced Finance - CBA215 (3 units)
Find out about the standards and benchmarks used in both the private and public sectors for fiscal soundness. Learn some of the financial and non-financial indicators of an economically sound school system and some of the different criteria national rating agencies use when establishing a district’s credit rating.
6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Clinton Twp
Reporting & Monitoring Organizational Performance - CBA229 (3 units)
What kinds and types of Superintendent/staff reports are most valuable for Boards to receive in order to fulfill the board's monitoring role? Has your board determined and communicated what it needs? During this class you will have the opportunity to learn how to evaluate the quality of staff reports, how to use them to measure and evaluate organizational performance and how to improve and increase accountability and communication with staff.
12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Jackson
Using Persuasive Skills to Reach Consensus - CBA234 (3 units)
Consensus building uses collaboration to problem solve and make decisions. In this course you will have the opportunity to learn about how you as a board member can improve the decision making process of your board. As a board member you have the responsibility to be a leader for your constituents when decisions are made. This course will help participants reach consensus and make decisions that will be supported by all board members and the stakeholders in your district. The process of building consensus before voting can bring far greater success than just voting. Learn the persuasive skills necessary to influence voting in a positive way.
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Grand Rapids
Advanced Community Relations - CBA246 (3 units)
Shaping public opinion for the public schools requires “active advocacy” on the part of school board members. Learn new communication strategies for influencing public opinion and gathering community input in your school district.
12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Detroit
Media Relations - CBA252 (3 units)
Learn the how-to’s and what-to’s of media relations in this course. Understand the basics of working with the media and methods to help school board members get their message out.
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Detroit
Board Operating Procedures - CBA253 (3 units)
Ever wondered about those "unwritten" rules that govern board service in your district? How are these rules created? Who knows about them? This class will help change those "unwritten" rules into a set of team operating procedures for your district. Learn the steps to develop procedures, the difference between procedures and policies, and the benefits of having written procedures for board operations.
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Clare
Public Speaking Skills (limited to 16) - CBA260 (3 units)
This class focuses on effective oral communication for school leaders. Learn to speak with confidence and to use persuasive communication techniques to express leadership. Discover how your background and life experiences can help you relate to your audience and establish your credibility. Practice and receive feedback in a safe and comfortable environment.
12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Detroit
Advocacy for Public Education - CBA261 (3 units)
Hone your skills as an advocate for public education in a nuts-and-bolts session on three critical skills: writing letters-to-the-editor; crafting key messages and sound bites; and participating in editorial boards and public forums.
3:45 PM to 6:45 PM
Detroit
Spokesperson Training (limited to 16) - CBA262 (3 units)
A reporter is looking for you…what are you going to say when the camera turns on, or a microphone is stuck in your face? Preparing for successful media interviews and learning how to state your message effectively will be covered. Find out how to avoid common mistakes and reporters’ traps. Develop usable sound bites on key issues in public education. ($5 material fee for interviewing tape).
3:45 PM to 6:45 PM
Detroit
Shaping Public Opinion About Public Education - CBA264 (3 units)
Explore the process of opinion formation, and learn how you and other school leaders can influence public confidence in public schools. This “advocacy skills” class takes you to the heart of perception, trust and credibility issues, giving you tools to build community involvement and lasting support for your school programs and reforms.
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Detroit
Board Self-Evaluation for Continuous Improvement - CBA274 (3 units)
This class offers board members practical experience in understanding the process of board self-assessment, and how it can be used to improve the board’s functions and relationships. Learn about the various assessment tools, the benefits of board self-assessment, when to conduct a board self-assessment and the mistakes to avoid when doing self-assessments.
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Clare
Advanced School Law - CBA290 (3 units)
The Advanced School Law class offers board members the opportunity to review specific laws and legal issues relating to school districts. The Revised School Code will be discussed in detail along with other school law topics such as tenure, student records, constitutional rights of students and church and state.
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Grand Rapids
