MPAAA Newsblast - July 2026

Spring Conference Answers Posted!

As we have done for the past several years, we have once again taken the State Agency Panel session from our May conference and created a version of the questions with the answers from MDE, MiLEAP, and CEPI included.

The version of the panel questions with the responses is available on the Spring Conference handout page, HERE, or you can link directly to the document HERE.

Please join us in thanking the staff of MDE, CEPI, and MiLEAP for crafting responses to these questions, and Randi Bassett for her tireless transcription efforts.

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Summer training sessions for Pupil Accountants and Auditors

MPAAA is proud to offer its members a suite of summer training sessions.  These courses are offered in multiple formats and at different times to make them as accessible as possible.

TSDL Explained - Virtual Session.  This 3-hour virtual course covers the requirements of the TSDL collection for those new to the collection or seeking a refresher, and is offered from 9 AM to noon on Thursday, July 2nd.  For more information, please click HERE.

TSDL Explained - Recorded Session.  Once the virtual session is complete, a recording will be made available for those unable to attend either of the previous dates.  The registration link for the recorded session will be released next week.

Auditor's Bootcamp - Recorded Session.  This set of 6 3-hour sessions provides a solid foundation in pupil accounting and auditing.  You may watch the sessions any time you wish through the end of August.  More information is available HERE.

Pupil Accountant's Bootcamp - In-person.  MPAAA will offer an in-person version of its pupil accounting bootcamp at the MPAAA offices in Lansing on Monday, August 3rd - Wednesday, August 5th.  These sessions will run from 9 AM until roughly 4 PM each of the 3 days.  A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.  For more information on the in-person bootcamp, please click HERE.

Pupil Accountant's Bootcamp - Virtual.  MPAAA will offer a virtual version of its pupil accounting bootcamp beginning at 9 AM on Monday, August 10th, through Wednesday, August 12th.  The courses will be offered via a Webex link and will run from 9 AM to Noon, then from 1 PM to 4 each day.  For more information on the virtual bootcamp, please click HERE.

Pupil Accountant's Bootcamp - Recorded Session.  Once the virtual session is completed, a recording of the course will be made available for those unable to attend either of the previous dates.  The link to register for the recorded session will be released in mid-August.

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2026 MPAAA Mentor Program

MPAAA is continuing this mentor program to allow staff new to pupil accounting, auditing, and data reporting the opportunity to 'partner' with an experienced colleague who can serve as a sounding board for questions and a guide through the intricacies of this profession!

We'll be pairing folks based on three criteria: location within the State, district/ISD size, and SIS software used.  We'll ask mentees to assign ranks to each of these categories so they can be matched up on criteria that are most relevant to them.

Process Plan

• July 1st – Newsblast article asking for volunteer mentors AND mentees
• August 31st – Begin the process of pairing mentors and mentees together.
• September 4th - Notify mentor/mentee pairs so they can contact each other. 

Mentors Needed

We have struggled in previous years to have enough mentors to hold this program.  If you are an experienced Pupil Accountant, Auditor, or Educational Data Specialist, PLEASE consider completing the survey at the link below to volunteer.

To sign up as a mentor or mentee, please complete the survey HERE, and we'll be in touch in early September with your pairing.  This survey will close on Friday, August 28th.

2025 Carryover

If you are still working with your mentor/mentee from 2025, and you would like that relationship to continue, please confirm this with your other half and send in a direct email ([email protected]) asking that the pairing be continued into 26/27.

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Membership Renewal

For those who wish to continue their membership in MPAAA, please be aware that renewal for the 26/27 year is now available HERE.

The renewal cost is $125, and all renewals will extend your membership to June 30, 2027.

We hope you find your membership in MPAAA valuable and will consider renewing.

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Data Quality Corner

MPAAA Data Quality Corner

Each month, the members of the MPAAA LEA/Data Committee have agreed to share a brief article on data quality with our members.

While we will be pausing these articles during the summer months, we are always looking for suggestions for helpful topics.  If you have a tip or technique that others may be able to use, please consider signing up to write a brief article for the coming year.  You can sign up HERE to either make a suggestion or volunteer to author an article.

On behalf of the LEA/Data Committee and its Chairs, Janell Craig, Luke Kaiser, and Linda Dehooghe, thank you for considering this request.

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Upcoming Conference Dates

We get frequent calls and emails at the MPAAA office asking about future conference dates.  We're posting all known dates here and will include this article in each future Newsblast issue, adding new dates as we finalize those arrangements.

27/28

28/29

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