The State Board of Education presented a report on the revision of Educational Technology Standards for Michigan which is currently being reviewed by various groups in the educational community. The Board is expected to get these standards at their June, 2005 meeting.

The Board approved Model Policies for Intermediate School Districts Regarding Conflict of Interest and Expansion of Funds.

Lt. Governor John Cherry spoke to the Board and called for rigorous standards and a new high school assessment, the latter of which has already been supported by recently passed legislation. The Lt. Governor spoke of the need to have more students pursue a post high school education. He gave an overview of the highlights of the report of the Lt. Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth (also known as the Cherry Commission) and urged the State Board of Education to bring 8-12 standards to the level needed to ensure that students are ready for higher education and new higher skilled jobs.

The State Board of Education has launched the Michigan High School Initiative, incorporating the work of the Cherry Commission and the former Michigan Department of Education High School Redesign Team. The Initiative will have three main goals:

The State Department of Education Professional Preparation & Development has developed proposed standards for the preparation of early childhood teachers and invites interested educators to review and comment on them. http://michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-5234_5683_6368-33926--,00.html

Note! The approval of new program standards will have no effect on individuals who hold current endorsements in early childhood education.

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Legislature

Proposed Senate Bill 246 would require state funding increases for K-12 public schools, community colleges and higher education by the annual rate of inflation or five percent, whichever is higher. The increase would apply to the bottom line of the state budget for K-12 schools. Included in that increase are inflationary increases in the foundation allowance, at-risk funding, special education and the ISD foundation allowance. The bill also caps the schools’ contributions to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) at 12.99 percent and calls for the state to pay for any retirement costs above that percentage. This bill eliminates the language that allows school budgets to be automatically pro-rated in the middle of the school year and would automatically transfer funds from the state’s General Fund to the School Aid Fund in the event of a shortfall. If approved, these provisions would impact the 2005-06 school year. The initial increase would be calculated using a base year of 2002-03.

House Bill 4678 is a Merit award proposal that would shift awards to high school students faring well on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) in favor of a larger grant ($4000.00) to those who finish two years of college or technical training. Students will be eligible for the New Merit Scholarship under this bill if they 1) earn an associates degree at a Michigan Community College; 2) achieve junior standing at a 4 year Michigan college or university; 3) complete an equivalent technical or career training program. In addition, students must have completed 40 hours of community service in high school, taken the high school assessment test (currently the MEAP), and earned a high school diploma or its equivalent. Further details and frequently asked questions of the proposal are on the Michigan ASCD website.

House Bills 4143 and 4144 propose the prevention of fifth-year high school students from participating in dual enrollment unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Senate Bill 324 and 325 would move the kindergarten start date from December 1 to September 1 across a three-year period and allows a school district to adopt a policy allowing a child who was age 4 by September 1 to attend kindergarten.