Magnet Schools of America

Magnet Schools of America (MSA) is a non-profit organization supporting approximately 3,400 magnet schools and approximately 2.6 million magnet school students in the United States. Its main office is located in Washington, D.C.

Structure and governance

Magnet Schools of America is a professional association that is driven by its members representing nearly 3,400 magnet schools nationwide, as well as members of the community including, parents and families, school district leaders, businesses partners and institutions of higher education. The Board of Directors, many of whom currently work in or with magnet schools, govern MSA. The executive committee is made up of the Treasurer, Secretary, Parliamentarian, President, President-Elect, and Past President. MSA also has a regional structure with eight regions, each with a regional director who serves on the board. The Executive Director and staff serve in the National Office, based in Washington, DC.[1]

Board of Directors

The Current Officers and members of the Executive Committee are:

  • Dr. Michelle Frazier, President
  • Doreen Marvin, President-Elect
  • William Magnotta, Immediate Past-President
  • Susan King, Secretary
  • Kelly Bucherie, Treasurer
  • Diann Taylor, Parliamentarian

Regional Directors
  • Region I – Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Director: Arthur Arpin
  • Region II – Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, The District of Columbia and International. Director: Karen Steele
  • Region III – Alabama, Florida Georgia Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. Director: Dr. Robert Strickland
  • Region IV – Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Director: Sara Wheeler
  • Region V – Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas. Director: Dr. Annette Scott
  • Region VI – Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Director: Dr. Billie Moore
  • Region VII – Colorado, Montana, Missouri, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming. Director: Dr. Kathy West
  • Region VIII – Arizona, California, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Marianas Islands and Trust Territory of the Pacific. Director: Dr. Irving Phillips[2]

Specialized Directors

Specialized Directors are responsible for bringing multiple perspectives to the Board of Directors and represent various related sectors or positions within the education field including research, higher education, business or corporate, parents, and teachers. There are a total of six Specialized Directors – 3 appointed by the Board and 3 elected by the membership. There are currently 3 Specialized Directors, with 3 vacant spots. The current 3 Specialized Directors are:

  • Dr. Donna Elam
  • Dr. Susan Eaton
  • Mallory Acrey[2]

History

In the late 1960s the magnet schools were created with the goal to increase diversity in public schools. In 1968 the first american magnet school was created in Tacoma, Washington. In 1989 the second magnet school, the Trotter Elementary School, was established in Boston. In 1970 four magnet elementary school with different curriculum focus were opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[3]

In the 1980s, Magnet Schools of America (MSA) was organized as a for-profit organization, incorporated in the State of Texas, sponsoring conferences. In the early 1990s, a small group of magnet leaders met and organized an Association of members. In 1994, MSA was approved by the IRS as a 501(c) 3 not-for profit, professional educational association. Originally located in Houston, TX, MSA relocated its office to Washington, D.C. in 2000.[4]

The current executive director of the Magnet Schools of America is Todd Mann.[5] Dr. Michelle Frazier is the former President and Elementary Magnet Schools Coordinator for the Office of Curriculum and Instruction of the Chicago Public Schools.[6] She was replaced by Susan King.[7]

Today, MSA sponsors programs, events, technical assistance, student scholarships, professional development, and leadership through the National Institute for Magnet School Leadership (NIMSL).

Purpose

The Magnet Schools of America (MSA) was formed to support magnet schools throughout the United States by means of goals such as desegregation, having businesses become actively involved in magnet schools, prompting federal financing, supporting legislation that supports magnet schools and to provide information to people of the benefits of magnet schools.[5]

Awards

Magnet Schools of Merit Awards

Magnet Schools of America established the Magnet Schools of Merit Award to recognize the top magnet schools in the United States. The Magnet Schools of Merit Award recognizes magnet schools that show commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful desegregation/diversity efforts, and the consistent delivery of quality services to all stakeholders.

Two categories of awards have been established by MSA:The top category, awarded to a group of select magnet schools, is the Magnet School of Excellence Award. The second category of awards is the Magnet School of Distinction Award. Schools recognized must be members of Magnet School of America and must submit an application that is scored by a panel of educators.[8]

Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Distinguished Merit Awards

This award is considered the top award for magnet schools in the nation, and is given to only one school in the Magnet School of Excellence category. The award recognizes the work of Dr. Ronald P. Simpson, one of the founding Members of the Magnet Schools of America (MSA). Dr. Simpson, from Kansas City, Missouri Public School System, served as the second president from 1994–1995. Dr. Simpson made a positive impact on magnet schools, and this award was established to commemorate his outstanding contributions to Magnet Schools of America. The Dr.Ronald P. Simpson Distinguished Merit Award includes a $5,000 cash award presented to the winning school.[9]

Other awards

In 2006, Magnet Schools of America established two new awards for elementary and secondary Magnet Schools of Excellence, both with a cash award of $2,500. The elementary Magnet Schools of Excellence award is sponsored by Magnet Schools of America, and named after Dr. Donald Waldrip, founder and MSA's first Executive Director.

Also established in 2006, is the Hogan Lovells Award to recognize New and Emerging Magnet Schools of Merit from the Schools of Excellence category. Recognized nationally for its leadership and commitment to magnet schools across the nation, the Washington, D.C. Law Firm of Hogan Lovells is the sponsor of a $1,000 cash award.[9]

Individual Awards Programs

Magnet Principal of-the-Year, was established in 2009. The awards recognizes an outstanding school leader who has succeeded in providing innovative programs that promote equity, diversity, and academic excellence for students in Magnet Schools.[10]

Magnet Teacher of-the-Year, established in 2010, recognizes an outstanding, dedicated full-time teacher who exemplifies excellence in academic achievement through innovative programs that promote equity and diversity for students in Magnet Schools.[11]

References
  1. Inc., BCT Consulting. "About MSA - Magnet Schools of America".
  2. Inc., BCT Consulting. "Board of Directors - Magnet Schools of America".
  3. "Drawn to Success: How Do Integrated Magnet Schools Work?" (PDF).
  4. Technologies, Smart Choice (2013-07-15). "The Rise of Magnet Schools By the Numbers". Smart Choice Technologies. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  5. Magnet Schools of America - Content Archived 2008-03-19 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Newspapers, Community (2013-06-27). "Sunset Elementary teacher earns Magnet Schools of America honor". Miami's Community News. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  7. "President MSA Susan King". magnet.edu. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  8. Inc., BCT Consulting. "Awards - Magnet Schools of America".
  9. Inc., BCT Consulting. "2013 Merit Awards Program - Magnet Schools of America".
  10. Inc., BCT Consulting. "2013 Principal of the Year Program - Magnet Schools of America".
  11. Inc., BCT Consulting. "2013 Teacher of the Year Program - Magnet Schools of America".
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