August 14, 2007

LANSING - The State Board of Education today presented the Dorothy Beardmore Service To Education Award to long-time and revered statewide education advocate Francile (Fran) Anderson.

Anderson, of Waterford, is the former State President of the Michigan Parent Teacher Student Association; former Michigan educator; and for the past 12 years, has been the driving force behind the Michigan Public Education Task Force, now known as Michigan for Public Education.

“Fran is a knowledgeable, dedicated and informed citizen activist whose considerable energies have been focused on public education as a result of her experiences as an educator, a concerned mother, and a devoted grandmother,” said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus.

The Michigan Parent Teacher Student Association, which supported Anderson’s nomination, stated that she was, and still is, the ultimate advocate for children. The Association holds her in such high regard that it have created the “Fran Anderson MPTSA Scholarship” which was awarded for the first time this year.

“Fran is well respected among parents and educators and is often called upon for her expertise on child-related issues,” Straus said. “Her interest remains on children and the importance of their education. Even at 80 years of age, she keeps up with current trends and topics in education.”

In accepting the Beardmore Award, Anderson told the State Board of Education: “This is a moment in my life which is a highlight I’ll never forget. There is nothing more exciting to me than to be able to say to you, this award, is probably one of the greatest soaring moments of my life.”

Anderson’s contributions to educational excellence and to positive community involvements are demonstrated by her actions, which include:

• Continuing service on the Michigan North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement;
• Continuing service as President of the North Oakland Medical Centers Foundation; and
• Continuing service on the board of the Pontiac Oakland Symphony.

Members of the Michigan for Public Education group enthusiastically nominated Anderson, not only because she has outstanding qualifications, but because she knew Dorothy Beardmore personally, and shared Beardmore’s philosophy for educational excellence and inclusion.

Beardmore promoted educational reform throughout her tenure on the State Board of Education, beginning with formulating new teacher certification rules in 1985 that require focused, relevant professional development for teachers. She envisioned quality education for all students.

She dedicated over 34 years of her life to achieving this vision; striving to identify and remove barriers to student achievement; setting high expectations for all; believing that every child is capable of learning; and encouraging others to recognize that every child is capable of learning.

Prior to her election to the State Board of Education, Mrs. Beardmore served eight years on the Rochester Board of Education (1967-75) and 10 years on the Board of Education of Oakland Schools (1974-84).

In other action: The State Board of Education approved the standards and benchmarks, and curriculum guidelines, for the World Languages requirement of the new Michigan high school graduation requirements.

The State Board also approved the teacher preparation standards for Modern Standard Arabic and Arab Culture teachers. This is a new teacher certification endorsement that was initiated and led by State Board member Marianne Yared McGuire.

The State Board of Education also adopted and presented a resolution honoring Dr. Ed Roeber, the Senior Executive Director of the Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability in the Michigan Department of Education. Roeber is accepting an adjunct professorship with Michigan State University.