Mission

MAISA is Michigan’s leading clearinghouse and catalyst for regional educational leadership, collaboration, and system change.

In pursuit of its vision, MAISA will be…

• its members' first resource for educational information, ideas, and support
• a leader in the political arena and powerful advocate for public education
• a bridge and partner with others who share its passion for educational excellence and improvement

Vision

To support and facilitate collaboration of the unique and evolving work of Michigan’s intermediate school districts (ISDs) and the communities they serve, MAISA provides leadership development, collaborative structures, project management, and collective and customized support for the work of its members.

MAISA Goals

Instructional Leadership/Support

MAISA will take leadership in addressing policy and legislative action that supports and enhances student achievement.

• MAISA will develop a strategy through its standing committees to reduce duplication of effort and increase collaboration among our ISD/RESAs in the development of materials, products, and standards in support of improved student achievement
• MAISA will lead in the development of sustainability and expansion plans for MiBLSi and other multi-tiered systems of support to prevent school failure and enhance teaching performance

MDE/MAISA Connections

MAISA will provide leadership and collaboration in the continued implementation of the MDE/MAISA Joint Partnership agreement to build greater capacity for organizational service and effectiveness.

Leadership Development

MAISA will support first time ISD/RESA and local superintendents through mentorship/professional development including the development of an induction system focusing on the unique role of the ISD/RESA superintendent.

Educational Policy

MAISA will provide a leadership role in the development of world class educational strategies in Michigan.  Important elements in these strategies should include:

• Early Childhood - MAISA will work with other state-wide organizations to build and implement a state-wide, comprehensive early childhood system
• Online, Blended, and Virtual Learning - MAISA will work to identify/develop high quality, low cost online, blended, and virtual learning strategies to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of public education in Michigan
• Innovative School Models - MAISA will identify “pockets of innovation” at LEAs and ISDs, provide network links, support initiatives of transformational leadership and help scale successful programs and services

Consolidation of Services

MAISA will provide leadership at the regional and state level to promote and develop appropriate collaborative activities that create efficiencies and expand services to constituent districts.

Effective MAISA Organization

MAISA will identify and support a process to engage the MAISA membership in an on-going dialogue to create and sustain a healthy and effective MAISA organization, with periodic review of goals and progress towards those goals.

Ad Hoc Committees

MAISA will establish specialized ad hoc committees to focus on hot-topic issues that are impacting ISD/RESAs. These committees will convene regularly and report on the results of their efforts as requested.

• MAISA will appoint an ad hoc committee to study the impact of dual superintendencies and the Mason-Lake-Oceana consolidation
• MAISA will appoint an ad hoc committee to review state funding of ISDs, including Sections 56/62, and will develop recommendations for the budgeting process

 rev 2012