OPTIMISE supports retention by studying attrition, advancing practical solutions that improve educators’ work environments, & helping clear barriers so professionals can focus more on student learning and achievement.
Turning Interest Into Action
In the Step Three phase, our custom campaigns guide educator candidates with personalized messaging and clear calls to action.
They receive information about teacher preparation programs, certification routes, financial incentives, and career entry opportunities.
As in Step One and Step Two, authentic storytelling continues to play a key role. CRM produces video profiles and testimonial stories featuring your state’s educators at various stages of their careers, highlighting the rewards and purpose of working in education.
Outcomes
OPTIMISE is charged with offering more support to professions specific to addressing workload/caseload, compensation, mentoring, leadership, and working conditions within Michigan Special Education.
The primary role of action teams is to develop very specific recommendations within a relatively narrow focus as determined by the core planning team. The action teams are accountable to the core planning team.
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Outcomes
Below are outcomes to date that reflects how special education professionals are being supported:
Obtain a baseline of Workforce Data and Attrition Analysis to determine where profession shortages are, why professionals leave and how the workforce is changing.
Outcome to Date:
OPTIMISE has contracted with Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) to conduct their study specific to data assessment, special educator attrition, and composition of Michigan’s special educator workforce.
Improve Induction, Mentoring, and Coaching programs to better support people within special education careers.
Outcome to Date:
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) awarded a grant to Western Michigan University to convene a workgroup and develop mentoring standards to help reduce isolation and burnout, two major reasons professionals leave.
Provide a more formal mentoring program for Special Education Administrators.
Outcome to Date:
MAASE developed a mentoring program for its members, better equipping leadership within their roles and their staff who they lead.
Workload and Caseload Supports for more manageable operation, offering relief to special education professions.
Outcome to Date:
OPTIMISE recommended a repository of workload calculators, with a proposal made to SEILN to house the tools in MI-SERC. This collaborative work continues to move forward.
To reduce unnecessary burden of Paperwork and and improve Resource Supports to Michigan's special educators. This allows more time spending with individuals with disabilities (Birth to 26 yrs.).
Outcome to Date:
OPTIMISE recommended a repository of special education resources, with a proposal made to SEILN to house those resources in MI-SERC. This collaborative work continues to move forward.
To study and recommend changes in Compensation as related to salary, benefits, working conditions, and non-salary incentives.
Outcome to Date:
OPTIMISE created a Compensation Action Team where they developed recommendations and shared them with Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO). This collaborative work continues to move forward.
To offer Behavior Support and Coaching to professionals within behavior science, trauma-engaged practices, neuro-affirming supports, and intensive behavior strategies, to help reduce stress, improve confidence, and help professional fee more effective.
Outcome to Date:
OPTIMISE’s Behavior Action Team developed recommendations that emphasize both training and coaching. This collaborative work continues to move forward.
District Workforce Support
Custom Job Ads
Creating customizable job ads and posting them to our pages helps districts get the word out.
Sharing District Ads
CRM gives local school district’s a boost by sharing their existing job postings.
HR Hiring Help Tips Sheet
CRM helps local school district’s HR teams get their jobs posted for free.
Connecting Candidates to Real Special Education Jobs
CRM’s job board brings education opportunities together in one easy-to-use place, helping candidates find relevant openings without having to search across multiple platforms.
Connecting Candidates to Open Positions
Help Them Find the Right Fit
Our tailored state job boards connect your qualified candidates with schools and districts through a custom statewide job board featuring thousands of current positions