"The legislature shall maintain and support a system of free public elementary and secondary schools as defined by law. Every school district shall provide for the education of its pupils without discrimination as to religion, creed, race, color or national origin. No public monies or property shall be appropriated or paid or any public credit utilized, by the legislature or any other political subdivision or agency of the state directly or indirectly to aid or maintain any private, denominational or other nonpublic, pre-elementary, elementary, or secondary school. No payment, credit, tax benefit, exemption or deductions, tuition voucher, subsidy, grant or loan of public monies or property shall be provided, directly or indirectly, to support the attendance of any student or the employment of any person at any such nonpublic school or at any location or institution where instruction is offered in whole or in part to such nonpublic school students. The legislature may provide transportation of students to and from any school." Michigan State Constitution, Article 8 § 2

The state board, with the assistance and input of the academic performance standards shall recommend pupil performance standards to measure achievement of the academic outcomes specified in the state board model core academic curriculum. The performance standards at least shall include standards for mathematics, science, and communication arts, and shall be consistent with the subject matter alignment under the state board model core academic curriculum. ... The state board, with the assistance and input of the academic performance standards committee described in section 1278b, periodically shall review and reevaluate the pupil performance standards recommended under this section and may revise those standards or recommend additional standards as the state board considers advisable. MCL § 380.1278a

A school district shall consider the pupil performance standards recommended under this section as an essential basis for assessing the subject matter competency of pupils and for promoting pupils to another level in those areas of the state board model core academic curriculum for which standards have been recommended. In awarding course credit, schools shall consider alternatives to the Carnegie unit for measuring and reporting student progress. Additionally, if the board of a school district wants all of its schools to be accredited under section 1280, the board shall establish performance standards. To enable establishment of performance standards that are aligned with the core academic curriculum of the school district, the performance standards established by a board may vary from the performance standards recommended. MCL § 380.1278a

(c)  Consolidate and perform the functions of advisory committees and groups established by the state board or department concerning the implementation of section 1204a, 1277, 1278, or 1280. MCL § 380.1278b

The school district board or a public school academy shall administer state assessments to high school students in the subject areas of communication skills, math, science, and, beginning with pupils scheduled to graduate in 2000, social studies. The board shall include on the pupil's high school transcript the pupil's score on the subject area assessment, the category of competency for the subject area assessment and an indication that the student received state endorsement for that subject area, and the number of days the student was in school each year during high school. The three categories of competence shall be established by the superintendent of public instruction indicating basic competency, above average, and outstanding. The school district or public school academy may award a high school diploma to a pupil who successfully completed local school district or public academy requirements established for high school graduation in accordance with state law, regardless of whether the pupil is eligible for any state endorsement. MCL § 380.1279 (Section amended by 1997 H.B. 5228)

Each local school district board, considering academic curricular objectives defined by the state board, shall establish a core academic curriculum for its pupils in elementary, middle and secondary school levels. The core academic curriculum shall define academic objectives to be achieved by all pupils and shall be based on the district's educational mission, long range student goals and student performance objectives. The core academic curriculum may vary from the model core academic curriculum content standards recommended by the state board. MCL § 380.1278

The state does not mandate textbooks or materials. The board of each school district shall select, approve, and purchase the textbooks to be used by the pupils of the schools on the subjects taught in the district. The textbooks shall be the property of the school districtpurchasing them and shall be loaned to pupils without charge. A board may require a reasonable and refundable deposit on textbooks. MCL § 380.1422

MEAP includes the Michigan Educational Assessment Program High School Tests in Mathematics, Science, Reading, Writing, and Social Studies. The tests are aligned with Michigan's voluntary curriculum standards. The tests are administered during the last 30 school days of 11th grade and cover 10th grade skills. The total length of time for the assessments shall not exceed 8 hours. MCL § 380.1279 (Amended by 1997 H.B. 5228)

The local school district board shall provide a core academic curriculum, learning process, and assistance as necessary so that all students have a fair opportunity to achieve a state endorsement on their transcript. The district board shall use the Michigan education assessment program (MEAP) test results as an indicator of which students need additional assistance and of whether the district's curriculum is adequately aligned to prepare pupils to achieve that state endorsement. MCL § 380.1282 (Amended by 1997 H.B. 5235)

If the district board wants all schools in the district accredited, the board shall prepare and submit to the state board an annual educational report and shall provide that each school in the district distributes the report to the public in an open meeting. ... The annual educational report shall include a copy of the core academic curriculum and a description of its implementation, including how students are ensured enrollment in those courses necessary for them to receive adequate instruction in all of the core academic curriculum and explanation of variances from the state model core academic curriculum. The report shall include aggregate student achievement based on the results of locally administered student competency tests, statewide assessment tests or nationally normed achievement tests. MCL § 380.1204a

Note: The state board voted in September 1997 not to base the accreditation of Michigan's K-12 public schools primarily on scores from the Michigan Educational Assessment Program. Instead, more weight will be given to the progress that low performing schools make toward improving attendance rates, the quality of schools' improvement plans, and other factors, in addition to test scores.

If the state department of education determines that a school has met the standards for summary accreditation, the school is considered accredited without full building-level evaluation. MCL § 380.1280

A school that does not meet the standards for accreditation but is making progress toward meeting the standards is classified as in interim status. A school that does not meet the accreditation standards and is not making progress toward meeting the standards is unaccredited. A school that is unaccredited for 3 consecutive years is subject to one or more of the following actions as determined by the superintendent of public instruction: (1) the superintendent of public instruction shall appoint at the district's expense an administrator of the school until the school becomes accredited; (2) a child attending an unaccredited school may transfer to an accredited school in the district; (3) the school, with the approval of the superintendent of public instruction, may align itself with an existing research-based school improvement model or establish an affiliation for assistance with a university or college in the state; and (4) the school is closed. MCL § 380.1280

If the board of a school district wants all of the schools of the school district to be accredited under section 1280, the board shall adopt and implement and, not later than September 1 each year, shall submit to the department a copy of a 3- to 5-year school improvement plan and continuing school improvement process for each school within the school district. The school improvement plans shall include, but are not limited to, a mission statement, goals based on student academic outcomes for all students, curriculum alignment corresponding with those goals, evaluation processes, staff development, development and utilization of community resources and volunteers, the role of adult and community education, libraries and community colleges in the learning community, and building level decision making. School board members, school building administrators, teachers and other school employees, pupils, parents of pupils attending that school, and other residents of the school district shall participate in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of the district's school improvement plans... The state board shall annually review a random sampling of school improvement plans. Based on its review, the state board shall annually submit a report on school improvement activities planned and accomplished by each of the school districts and intermediate school districts that were part of the sampling to the senate and house committees that have the responsibility for education legislation. MCL § 380.1277

Issues surrounding school improvement plan planning, development, implementation, and evaluation must be made at the building level with a recommended group of stakeholders being invited to participate. The plan is also required to include "building-level decision making." MCL § 380.1277

Through an application process, the state board of education may waive regulations. The state board may not grant a waiver of state statute unless specifically allowed by statute. MCL § 380.1281

The Michigan school code was revised by Public Act 335 of 1993 and by Public Act 289 of 1995.

A school district board may admit nonresident pupils to schools in the district. (This policy allows state money to follow a student to a nearby district if he/she is accepted in a public school there.) MCL § 380.1401

Subject only to availability of space, payment of reasonable rent, and adherence to the instruction schedules of the school facility, any state public university and the community college in which community college district the school district is located or, if the school district is not located in a community college district, any community college in this state, may offer and conduct at the school district facilities any of its courses for which a pupil may receive both college and high school credit. A school district shall not unreasonably refuse to give high school credit for a course offered by a state public university, independent college or university, or community college. MCL § 380.1150.

Public school academies may be organized and operated by any of the following: (1) the board of a school district that operates grades K through 12; (2) an intermediate school board; (3) the board of a community college; or (4) the governing board of a state public university. The combined number of academies under state universities cannot exceed 85 through 1996, 100 through 1997, 125 through 1998, or 150 thereafter. The total number of academies under any one state university shall not exceed 50 through 1996, and thereafter shall not exceed 50% of the maximum combined total number that may be under state universities. MCL § 380.502

The state board of education defines professional development as a continuous process of improvement to promote high standards of academic achievement and responsible citizenship for all students. Professional development increases the capacity of all members of the learning community to pursue life long learning... The state board of education has set standards for professional development in Michigan. MCL § 380.1525School improvement plans must include professional development. MCL § 380.1277

The state board shall develop and approve, and advocate to state universities that they adopt, an expedited "fast-track" teacher preparation program to be available to individuals who have outstanding academic credentials, who are exceptionally gifted performers or artists, or who are outstanding professionals expert in their fields of endeavor. MCL § 380.1531c

Incentives can be provided to both mentor teachers and new teachers, but should be provided in compliance with guidelines established at the local level. The Michigan department of education policy on activities eligible for state board continuing education units has been amended to include teacher mentoring. MCL § 380.1526

For the first three years of his/her employment in classroom teaching, a teacher shall be assigned by the school in which he/she teaches to one or more master teachers, or college professors or retired master teachers, who shall act as a mentor or mentors to the teacher... The "Guidelines and Recommendations for the New Teacher Induction/Teacher Mentoring Process in Michigan" provides a variety of core experiences that are recommended for new teachers. Training related to diversity and/or special needs are included in the guidelines. Districts most certainly should be aware of and, if possible, provide training in these areas, not just for new teachers but for all teachers. MCL § 380.1526

The state board shall promulgate rules establishing continuing education requirements as a condition for continued employment for persons employed in positions described in subsection (1). The rules shall prescribe a minimum amount of continuing education to be completed within a 5-year period. MCL § 380.1246

(f)  Sabbatical leaves. School districts shall provide sabbatical leaves for up to 1 academic year for selected master teachers who aid in professional development.In order to receive professional development funding described in subsection (1), each school district and intermediate school district shall prepare and submit to the state board for approval an annual professional development plan. MCL § 380.1525

Interstate Agreement on Qualification of Educational Personnel. MCL § 388.1371

Note: The purpose of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) is to help ensure that individuals seeking certification have the necessary basic skills and content knowledge to perform effectively in Michigan schools. MCL § 380.1531 The revised school code rescinds the authority of the state board of education to issue administrator certificates. MCL § 380.1536

The revised school code permits a school district or intermediate school district to implement and maintain a method of compensation for its employees that is based on job performance and job accomplishments.MCL § 380.1250

In June 1997 the state supreme court decided a 17-year-old lawsuit (Durant v. State of Michigan) by ruling that the state had under funded 84 districts for state mandated special education costs. The court ordered the state to pay the districts $212 million. The state used rainy day funds and paid by April 15, 1998. Gov. Engler and legislators also decided to pay $768 million to nearly 500 nonlitigant districts in order to avoid future lawsuits. These payments began November 15, 1998 and are to be made over 10 years. Half of the money will come from state bonds; half will come from state revenue surpluses.

State officials are in the process of redrafting Michigan's five-year technology plan. One area slated for revision is the section on professional development, which might include recommendations to offer teachers such incentives as compensatory time or extra pay for participation in training.

Gov. Engler introduced a $30 million education and technology plan to state lawmakers in February 1998. The plan will help ensure schools and libraries receive computer equipment and help teachers integrate technology into the classroom. Specifically, the plan calls for 100 grants of $10,000 each to help schools, libraries, and community centers buy computers and provide connections to the Internet. An additional 200 grants of up to $10,000 will go to teachers who can demonstrate creative plans for integrating technology into students' daily lessons. The three-year plan, being financed by an account previously set aside for economic development, also includes the development of a state virtual university. The online university is expected to make continuing education and job skills courses available.

The department of management and budget shall prepare a state plan for the creation of a Michigan information network no later than June 30, 1995. All educational entities are encouraged to participate in the network and in similar systems and are encouraged to use computer, telecommunications, and other interactive technology to develop and use distance learning for educational purposes. MCL § 380.1291[1]

The department of management and budget shall prepare a state plan for creation of a Michigan information network linking each local and intermediate school district, community college, independent nonprofit college or university located in this state, and state public university and each state, local, or regional library on an equal basis by fiber optic or coaxial cable or other comparable system allowing a world-class statewide interactive video and data access and exchange system. MCL § 380.1291[1]

Comprehensive compensatory programs for improving readiness and achievement of educationally disadvantaged children and readiness grants may be available for at-risk children between the ages of four and five.MCL § 388.1636 et. seq.

Gov. Engler launched a statewide initiative aimed at helping parents prepare their children to read on August 26, 1998. 15,000 reading-readiness kits — a different one for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers-were distributed to parents in several pilot locations. The state is paying for the program with the aid of corporate donors.

Beginning fall 1998, Michigan awarded the first of 10,000 scholarships worth $2,000 each to students interested in high-skill jobs that don't require a four-year college degree. About 40 percent of Michigan high school graduates do not go on to college.

"The legislature shall provide by law for the establishment and financial support of public community and junior colleges..." Michigan State Constitution, Article 8 § 7

Tax credit for higher education fees and tuition costs. MCL 206.274

The Community College Act of 1966 provided for the establishment of community college districts and the differing elections for a board of trustees for the different types of community colleges. MCL § 389.1 et. seq.

The board of trustees of the community college district shall have the power to make plans for, to promote, or acquire, construct, own, develop, maintain and operate a community college and an area vocational-technical education program. The trustees may: (1) locate, acquire, purchase or lease facilities for the community college; (2) establish and carry on schools and programs or courses of study and other educational programs or take over the operation of a community college or vocational-technical department that may have previously operated in the district; and (3) establish, equip and maintain agricultural, trade and other vocational technical departments and to maintain general control of community college or area vocational-technical programs. MCL § 389.121

The purpose of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact shall be to provide greater higher education opportunities and services in the Midwestern region, with the aim of furthering regional access to, research in and choice of higher education for the citizens residing in the several states which are parties to this Compact. The eligible parties to the Compact are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. MCL § 390.1531