This bill modifies the Michigan Trust Fund Act to establish a permanent Community District Education Trust Fund designed to help schools in specific districts that are currently prohibited from raising local taxes. The fund will be financed by depositing up to $617 million in tobacco settlement revenue starting in fiscal year 2017, with the money used to cover gaps in state funding for these districts. The legislation also sets a sunset provision requiring that any remaining balance in the fund be transferred to the state school aid fund after September 30, 2026.
This bill modifies Michigan's high school graduation requirements by allowing students to earn mathematics credits through career and technical education programs instead of traditional classroom courses. Specifically, it permits pupils to satisfy the algebra II requirement by completing approved CTE curricula in fields such as engineering, construction, or computer science that cover the same mathematical content. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that students can partially or fully meet the foreign language requirement by completing CTE or visual and performing arts instruction. These changes aim to provide more flexible pathways for students to graduate while maintaining specific academic standards in math and language arts.
This bill creates a tax credit for Michigan residents who earned a degree in the state and subsequently stayed or returned to Michigan for a job. Eligible individuals can claim a credit equal to 50% of their student loan payments for a specific tax year, but the total credit cannot exceed 20% of the average annual tuition at a public Michigan university. To receive the benefit, taxpayers must provide proof of their degree, employment within the state, and student loan payments, and they must apply within 10 years of graduating. If the calculated credit is larger than the taxpayer's total tax liability for that year, the difference will be refunded to them. The legislation will only take effect if four companion bills are also passed into law.
This bill requires Michigan school districts and public school academies to enroll eligible students in up to two virtual courses per term, provided the courses are approved and listed in official catalogs. It establishes specific rules for enrollment, such as limiting virtual instruction for students under 18 to six days without parental consent and setting criteria for denying enrollment, including grade level restrictions and course prerequisites. The legislation also outlines an appeal process for denied enrollments, mandates that course providers use random selection if demand exceeds capacity, and requires districts to assign mentors to students taking these online classes. Additionally, it clarifies that community colleges offering virtual courses must ensure they generate postsecondary credit.
This bill updates Michigan's school code to require that length of service cannot be the only factor used when making personnel decisions such as hiring, promotions, or layoffs for teachers. Instead, school districts must use clear procedures that include effectiveness ratings from performance evaluations alongside other relevant criteria like disciplinary records and special training. The law specifically defines which professional development courses count toward these decisions, limiting them to those that offer degree-eligible credit from accredited institutions and result in a letter grade. While schools may still consider how long a teacher has served, they must now weigh this against demonstrated performance and specific, graded coursework to determine staffing outcomes.
This bill modifies Michigan's pupil transportation laws to clarify safety requirements for school vehicles. It mandates that all school buses used for student transport must meet or exceed federal safety standards for construction and seating. Additionally, the bill prohibits using any vehicle with 11 or more passengers, including the driver, to transport students unless it is specifically classified as a motor bus under separate regulations. These changes directly affect public and private schools, as well as private businesses and government units that operate vehicles for student transport.
This bill updates the rules for calculating Michigan's school foundation allowance, which determines the base funding provided to public schools. It requires the state's revenue estimating conference to use the Detroit Consumer Price Index to adjust the allowance amount, ensuring it keeps pace with local inflation rather than a statewide index. The legislation also mandates that this adjusted allowance be projected for the current fiscal year and the next two years to help plan school budgets. By tying school funding growth to inflation in the Detroit area, the bill aims to maintain the purchasing power of state aid for education.
This bill amends Michigan's Revised School Code to require intermediate school districts to create a single, common school calendar for all schools within their region by July 1, 2008. The new calendar must specify winter and spring break dates for at least the next five school years and must be posted online, with the goal of aligning start dates and schedules across different districts. While the law mandates compliance starting with the 2008-2009 school year, it includes exceptions for schools with existing collective bargaining agreements, year-round programs, trimester schedules, or advanced placement schools that meet specific criteria. Districts operating under these special conditions can apply for a waiver from the state superintendent if they can justify their unique scheduling needs. Additionally, the bill repeals previous sections of the Revised School Code and the State School Aid Act that are no longer needed under this new framework.
This bill amends Michigan's Revised School Code to allow students to use the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an alternative to the standard Michigan Merit Examination for college entrance requirements. It specifically permits 11th and 12th-grade students to take the CLT in place of the traditional assessment, which currently covers English language arts, mathematics, reading, science, and social studies. The legislation also introduces a waiver process for the workforce readiness portion of the exam, requiring parents to submit a signed request by late February of the school year. Additionally, the bill mandates that school districts provide informational letters to students and families explaining the purpose and benefits of the workforce readiness test before it is administered.
This bill creates a new tax credit for Michigan employers who pay student loans for employees who did not graduate from an in-state high school or earn a degree from an in-state college. To qualify, the employee must have moved to Michigan to work for the employer after obtaining a bachelor's degree or higher from an out-of-state institution, and the employer can claim a credit equal to 25% of the loan payments made, up to a limit of 20% of the average yearly tuition at a public Michigan university. Employers must submit specific documentation to the state department to prove the payments and employee details, and any unused portion of the credit can be refunded to the employer. This measure is part of a larger package of related bills aimed at encouraging companies to hire graduates from outside the state.
