The three main features of the initiative are (1) an environmental scan, (2) strategic goals and measurable outcomes, and (3) an operational plan, which will be accomplished in a five-phase process. The first phase was a letter of intent submitted to Michigan Department of Career Development (MDCD) that would serve as evidence of a strategic partnership. SEMCA’s letter of intent included letters of support from 41 of our 42 school districts, as well as both ISDs and all four community colleges in our service area.
Saundra Mull and SEMCA Executive director John B. O’Reilly, Jr., presented the “SEMCA Partnership” at this year’s Downriver Technical Consortium Conference held at the Crowne Plaza in Romulus.
On July 19th and August 14th, SEMCA held half-day meetings with the WDB, the EAG, and representatives from our region’s school districts, community colleges, and ISDs. The daunting task before this group was to identify, refine, and prioritize no more than five measurable goals that would determine the future direction of education in our community. After much thought and discussion, the attendees arrived at the following as the essence of the five goals of the SEMCA Partnership:
- Educate parents/students on career awareness issues/opportunities & formal decision-making process.
- Develop a more competency-based system of measurement that will redefine what completion means.
- Actively engage students/parents & community to achieve higher educational standards
- Shrink the digital divide and ensure every student has access daily
- Make schools learning environments, not teaching environments
Geri Larkin, standing in the center, was the facilitator at the strategic planning meeting held on July 19 at the Double Tree Hotel.
Once the goals are firmly established, and resources in the region are identified, SEMCA will then develop a Strategic Assets and Comprehensive Plan (Phase 4). We will identify what's working and focus our resources to build on those things to achieve our goals.
The strategies articulated in the comprehensive plan will be translated into specific actions in the Operational Plan (Phase 5), to show the extent to which resources are redeployed to effect “systems change.” Watch for the Draft Report Card to be posted on the SEMCA web site at www.semca.org in the near future, and check back regularly for new developments.