From the President
On July 1, 1997, I had the
privilege of beginning my one-year term as president of the College of Education Alumni
Association. I must say that Michigan State University has played a significant role in
preparing me for my professional life, as well as being a significant resource for
lifelong education. I received an M.A. degree from MSU in educational administration, and
have completed all course work and four of five chapters on my dissertation for a Ph.D. at
MSU.
I am presently beginning my ninth year as superintendent of the Rockford Public Schools, near Grand Rapids, Michigan. In addition to my career responsibilities, I have also worked with school leaders and MSU College of Education professors in the development and implementation of the West Michigan Leadership Development Initiative, an innovative graduate program designed to infuse "real-life" opportunities and classroom theory for a complete professional development experience.
As you preview the fall issue of the New Educator, please note that the cover story focuses on professional development schools. It is an important issue because professional development is key to improving the quality of education in our schools. A 1996 study on the "Effects of School Resources on Student Achievement," reported in Review in Education Research, found that the two most important factors influencing student achievement are increasing teacher education and increasing teacher experience. The least significant factor influencing student achievement is class size. If this study’s conclusions are true, then the importance of professional development and its relationship to student achievement must be considered as one of several priorities when boards of education, teachers and administrators begin allocating resources from their annual operating budgets for instruction.
Another important issue we must consider, as we improve the quality of education today and into the 21st Century, is the relationship of technology to classroom instruction. From an historical perspective, the United States has rapidly transcended from the industrial revolution to the age of information, where knowledge is doubling every two-to-four years. Many of the new textbooks must be supplemented with additional materials each year in order to remain current. The explosion of new information presents a real challenge to educators as they design and implement curricula that is relevant and useful.
A key information management tool for today’s educators and students is the appropriate use of technology, which moves beyond computers to include the use of multimedia, such as one-way and two-way interactive distance learning. The advancements in technology must never replace the relationships forged between classroom teachers and their students. Although it is my opinion that those relationships are key to successful student achievement, technology will be a required means by which teachers, parents and students manage information to improve instruction and learning.
Finally, I want to mention that one of the primary goals of the Alumni Board is to serve as a liaison between the College of Education and its alumni. We should be very proud that we graduated from one of the top colleges of education in the United States, as reported in U.S. News and World Report. The successes that we experience in our various careers can in part be attributed to our experiences at Michigan State University.
Ongoing interaction between the College of Education and its alumni is important to the continual success of each. The Alumni Board encourages your involvement through membership in the association; critical assessment and communications with College of Education faculty and alumni board members; and participation in jointly sponsored social and professional development activities planned for your enjoyment.
In closing, I encourage you to contact alumni board members with your concerns or constructive suggestions for improving the association or you may contact me personally at 350 N. Main Street, Rockford, MI 49341.
Michael S. Shibler