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Just another day...and night. On the evening of Feb. 2nd over 500 visitors braved snow flurries and slippery roads to crowd into the Allegan Technical Center. Although free refreshments and hot dogs were on hand, what the residents of Allegan County really wanted was to see the variety of educational opportunities and displays available to students who attend the Allegan Technical Center. It was an eye opener. The staff of the Tech Center should be proud, not only of the good turn out, which was (excuse the pun) only the tip of the iceberg, of what drew people to the Allegan Area Tech Center, but for providing up-to-date education for kids, which will enable them to be productive citizens of the 21st Century.  
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The Way Things Are Going to Be. |
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On Monday January 4, the beginning of 2010’s first week, Governor Granholm signed a package of legislation commonly referred to as Race To The Top, or RTTT, as its acronym is known. While all the details certainly still need to be worked out, this legislation has the potential to have an enormously positive impact in our schools. If you wish to see a summary of the RTTT click here: Much of it is modeled after sweeping reforms that U. S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, used in "reimagining" schools in Chicago while he was that city's chief executive officer. School District personnel will anxiously await the full meaning of the legislation. Undoubtedly, there will be major adjustments in the way we educate kids. Certainly, there is some trepidation in the ranks. Change is hard. Many of us, including myself, who have been in education for decades, will have to move out of our comfort zones. But this is the way it needs to be. We know more about how students learn and how to effectively instruct than ever before. Hopefully, this legislation will spur innovation and move schools in Michigan to, once again, regain our place as world leaders.  I must give the legislature, the Governor, and the State Superintendent credit. These reforms were the result of bipartisan effort and had to be done immediately in order to position the State to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grant money.-Money we sorely need. I believe this legislation will mark the beginning of significant, important changes in Michigan education. There, undoubtedly, will be bumps along the way -and learning to embrace a new way of operating will not be easy. However, I think it necessary for us, not only to economically survive, but to educate and enable our children to be competitive, 21st Century citizens . Sincerely, Mark R. Dobias, Superintendent |
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Lake Mich. College Classes Winter 2010 Semester |
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The Allegan Area Educational Service Agency is pleased to announce Lake Michigan College will be offering the following credit and non-credit courses at the Allegan Tech Center for the Winter 2010 Semester. |
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ALLEGAN COUNTY MICHIGAN WORKS! IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE |
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ALLEGAN COUNTY – The question often is asked about how wisely the “Stimulus” money is being spent and if it is really making a difference. Well, on Thursday, August 20, 2009, the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency (AAESA) Board of Education learned that it did make a difference this summer in Allegan County! Through the Allegan County Michigan Works! Service Center’s Summer WIA Youth Program, low-income youth 18-24 years of age were given a chance to develop work readiness skills and college readiness skills while earning college credit or obtaining their GED. Served by Allegan County Area Technical and Education Center (ACATEC) instructors, who are also accredited as Adjunct Lake Michigan College Instructors, the students improved their work readiness skills through combining project work and class work in Computer Aided Drafting, Electrical, Business, Graphics Arts, and Natural Resources. And they earned college credits at the same time, along with getting a paycheck. “The return on your investment was significant”, stated Nora Balgoyen-Williams, Michigan Works! Service Center Supervisor at the AAESA Board of Education meeting. The AAESA is the fiscal agent for the Allegan County Michigan Works! Service Center.  Door to the Future * 78% of the participants earned 1 college credit * 52% of the participants earned 3-4 college credits * 50% of the participants earned 4 credits * 27% of participants in the non college group earned their GED * 63% of the non college group are near and will finish their GED in the next few weeks In all, 16 people earned 8-9 college credits; 17 earned 4-5 college credits; and 24 earned 1 college credit. All of the participants are continuing to work with their MiWorks! counselor to finish their credits or their GED and/or register for college this fall.
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Featured Items |
Making the Most of your High School Experience: Advice for 8th -11th Grade Students It’s not too early to begin planning for college. In fact, underclassmen are in a good position because they have time to resolve to take their school work seriously and to research their college options. Most high school seniors will tell you they regret not doing their best in every class, thus earning average or below average grades. Many college scholarships require a minimum 3.0 or 3.25 GPA. Realizing as a senior that your GPA is too low for admission to the college of your choice, or too low to qualify for an important scholarship can be very disappointing. Commit to doing your best in all of your classes so that every opportunity is available to you as a senior. Test scores are another important part of your high school career. The more core classes you take, the more you’ll learn, and the more prepared you’ll be for the ACT and other tests. High scores on these tests might earn you a scholarship, and they will definitely determine which college you’ll get accepted to. When selecting next year’s classes, you’ll benefit from a rigorous course load that prepares you for the ACT and your freshman year of college. |
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