Twenty-four local education agencies and three intermediate school districts won a 2008 Education Excellence Award from MASB. The competition, in which educational programs compete in 12 categories, is sponsored by SET SEG. Districts were honored during an awards luncheon May 6. As an award winner, each district receives a trophy and the program coordinators receive certificates. SET SEG account executives present street signs proclaiming the districts as "Education Excellence Award Winner" to those so honored. Winning districts also earned a chance to compete against other programs within their category for the title of “Michigan’s Best.” Recipients of the Michigan’s Best Award will be announced in the fall and honored at the MASB Fall Conference in Traverse City. Another layer of recognition, including a cash award, goes to the Michigan's Best winners.

MASB developed the Education Excellence Award program 14 years ago to recognize exemplary and innovative educational programs that foster school improvement and student achievement. An independent panel of judges evaluates entries submitted from local districts and intermediate school districts. Applicants compete in categories ranging from fine arts and community relations to health and school safety, school improvement and professional development.

MASB unites school boards in the common cause of improving public education. It provides leadership development, government relations, legal counsel, public relations, communications and a variety of field services to member districts. SET SEG is a nonprofit provider of complete insurance services to Michigan school districts. Founded by MASB in 1971, SET SEG provides employee benefits, property/casualty and workers’ compensation insurance to more than 550 districts in the state. To date, SET SEG has supported the Education Excellence Award with $180,000 in contributions.

Winning districts and their program categories follow.

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES

Community Relations

• "A Call to Action" Freshmen focus Homelessness Project, Howell High School
• Structured Language for Parents, Iron Mountain Public Schools
• Montague AgriScience Community Center, Montague Area Public Schools

Fine Arts

• Kennedy Elementary School Drama, Manistee Area Public Schools
• Barth Bears News, Romulus Community Schools
• Erickson Elementary Spring Musical, Ypsilanti Public School District

Health and School Safety

• Bendle Family Health Services, Bendle Public Schools
• Bronco Buddies, North Branch Area Schools
• KNOTS--Kids Need Opportunities to Socialize, Saginaw Township Community Schools

Improving Student Achievement for At-Risk Students

• Academic Mentors, Coopersville Area Public Schools
• Child Study Investigation, McBain Rural Agricultural Schools
• Personal Adjustment, Waterford School District

Improving Student Achievement in Math and Science

• Astronomy and Mathematics-A Marriage Made in the Heavens and An Amazing Mathematical Tour, Hillsdale Community Schools
• K-12 Environmental Literacy, Lawton Community Schools
• Early Elementary-ALCOA Howmet partnership, Whitehall District Schools

Improving Student Achievement in English Language Arts and Social Studies

• E4=Everybody Everyday Eye-to-Eye Reading, Croswell-Lexington Community Schools
• Elementary Reading, Milan Area Schools
• CPR: Comprehensive Program for Reading, Oxford Area Community Schools

Professional Development

• Farmington Physical Education Assessment Program, Farmington Public Schools
• Teacher Technology Specialists, Southgate Community Schools
• USC Professional Development: Consistently Implementing Writer's Workshop in 800 Classrooms at Once, Utica Community Schools

School Improvement

• Increasing Student Achievement Through Task Force Restructuring, Charlotte Public Schools
• Curriculum QUESTions, Gladwin Community Schools
• Homework Program, Lakewood Public Schools

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT CATEGORIES

Technology Integration

• Supporting Student Achievement Through Data, Kent ISD

Career/Technical Education

• Van Buren County Volunteer Tax Assistance Program, Van Buren ISD

Special Education

• School-Wide Positive Behavior Support, Wayne County RESA