Michigan-2015-HB4115-Chaptered

Act No. 85

Public Acts of 2015

Approved by the Governor

June 17, 2015

Filed with the Secretary of State

June 17, 2015

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 17, 2015

STATE OF MICHIGAN

98TH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2015

Introduced by Rep. Pscholka

ENROLLED HOUSE BILL No. 4115

AN ACT to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled “An act to make appropriations to aid in the support of the public schools, the intermediate school districts, community colleges, and public universities of the state; to make appropriations for certain other purposes relating to education; to provide for the disbursement of the appropriations; to authorize the issuance of certain bonds and provide for the security of those bonds; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, the state board of education, and certain other boards and officials; to create certain funds and provide for their expenditure; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending sections 6, 8b, 11, 11a, 11j, 11k, 11m, 11r, 15, 18, 18a, 20, 20d, 20f, 20g, 21f, 22a, 22b, 22d, 22g, 22i, 23a, 24, 24a, 24c, 25e, 25f, 26a, 26b, 26c, 31a, 31d, 31f, 32d, 32p, 39, 39a, 41, 43, 51a, 51c, 51d, 53a, 54, 56, 61a, 62, 64b, 74, 81, 94, 94a, 95a, 98, 99h, 101, 104, 104b, 104c, 107, 147, 147a, 147c, 152a, 163, 201, 201a, 206, 207a, 207b, 207c, 209, 210, 210b, 217, 222, 225, 226, 229, 229a, 230, 236, 236a, 236b, 236c, 241, 244, 246, 252, 256, 263, 263a, 264, 265, 265a, 267, 268, 269, 270, 274, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, and 286 (MCL 388.1606, 388.1608b, 388.1611, 388.1611a, 388.1611j, 388.1611k, 388.1611m, 388.1611r, 388.1615, 388.1618, 388.1618a, 388.1620, 388.1620d, 388.1620f, 388.1620g, 388.1621f, 388.1622a, 388.1622b, 388.1622d, 388.1622g, 388.1622i, 388.1623a, 388.1624, 388.1624a, 388.1624c, 388.1625e, 388.1625f, 388.1626a, 388.1626b, 388.1626c, 388.1631a, 388.1631d, 388.1631f, 388.1632d, 388.1632p, 388.1639, 388.1639a, 388.1641, 388.1643, 388.1651a, 388.1651c, 388.1651d, 388.1653a, 388.1654, 388.1656, 388.1661a, 388.1662, 388.1664b, 388.1674, 388.1681, 388.1694, 388.1694a, 388.1695a, 388.1698, 388.1699h, 388.1701, 388.1704, 388.1704b, 388.1704c, 388.1707, 388.1747, 388.1747a, 388.1747c, 388.1752a, 388.1763, 388.1801, 388.1801a, 388.1806, 388.1807a, 388.1807b, 388.1807c, 388.1809, 388.1810, 388.1810b, 388.1817, 388.1822, 388.1825, 388.1826, 388.1829, 388.1829a, 388.1830, 388.1836, 388.1836a, 388.1836b, 388.1836c, 388.1841, 388.1844, 388.1846, 388.1852, 388.1856, 388.1863, 388.1863a, 388.1864, 388.1865, 388.1865a, 388.1867, 388.1868, 388.1869, 388.1870, 388.1874, 388.1876, 388.1877, 388.1878, 388.1879, 388.1880, 388.1881, 388.1882, 388.1883, 388.1884, and 388.1886), sections 6, 8b, 11a, 11j, 11k, 15, 20, 20d, 20f, 20g, 21f, 22d, 22g, 22i, 24, 24a, 24c, 25e, 25f, 26a, 26b, 26c, 31a, 31d, 31f, 32d, 32p, 39, 39a, 41, 51d, 53a, 54, 56, 61a, 62, 74, 81, 94, 94a, 98, 99h, 101, 104, 104b, 107, 147, 147a, 152a, 163, 201a, 206, 209, 210b, 217, 225, 229, 229a, 230, 236a, 236b, 236c, 241, 246, 252, 256, 263, 263a, 264, 265, 265a, 267, 268, 269, 270, 274, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, and 284 as amended and sections 11r, 43, 64b, 95a, 104c, 207a, 207b, and 207c as added by 2014 PA 196, sections 11, 11m, 18, 22a, 22b, 51a, 51c, 147c, 201, and 236 as amended by 2015 PA 5, section 18a as amended by 2004 PA 351, section 23a as added by 2012 PA 465, sections 210 and 244 as amended by 2013 PA 60, and sections 222, 226, and 286 as amended by 2012 PA 201, and by adding sections 25g, 31c, 31h, 35, 35a, 55, 61b, 65, 67, 77, 99c, 99s, 102d, 104d, 210c, 210d, 230a, and 274c; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 6. (1) “Center program” means a program operated by a district or by an intermediate district for special education pupils from several districts in programs for pupils with autism spectrum disorder, pupils with severe cognitive impairment, pupils with moderate cognitive impairment, pupils with severe multiple impairments, pupils with hearing impairment, pupils with visual impairment, and pupils with physical impairment or other health impairment. Programs for pupils with emotional impairment housed in buildings that do not serve regular education pupils also qualify. Unless otherwise approved by the department, a center program either shall serve all constituent districts within an intermediate district or shall serve several districts with less than 50% of the pupils residing in the operating district. In addition, special education center program pupils placed part-time in noncenter programs to comply with the least restrictive environment provisions of section 612 of part B of the individuals with disabilities education act, 20 USC 1412, may be considered center program pupils for pupil accounting purposes for the time scheduled in either a center program or a noncenter program.

(2) “District and high school graduation rate” means the annual completion and pupil dropout rate that is calculated by the center pursuant to nationally recognized standards.

(3) “District and high school graduation report” means a report of the number of pupils, excluding adult education participants, in the district for the immediately preceding school year, adjusted for those pupils who have transferred into or out of the district or high school, who leave high school with a diploma or other credential of equal status.

(4) “Membership”, except as otherwise provided in this article, means for a district, a public school academy, the education achievement system, or an intermediate district the sum of the product of .90 times the number of full-time equated pupils in grades K to 12 actually enrolled and in regular daily attendance on the pupil membership count day for the current school year, plus the product of .10 times the final audited count from the supplemental count day for the immediately preceding school year. A district’s, public school academy’s, or intermediate district’s membership shall be adjusted as provided under section 25e for pupils who enroll in the district, public school academy, or intermediate district after the pupil membership count day. All pupil counts used in this subsection are as determined by the department and calculated by adding the number of pupils registered for attendance plus pupils received by transfer and minus pupils lost as defined by rules promulgated by the superintendent, and as corrected by a subsequent department audit. For the purposes of this section and section 6a, for a school of excellence that is a cyber school, as defined in section 551 of the revised school code, MCL 380.551, and is in compliance with section 553a of the revised school code, MCL 380.553a, a pupil’s participation, as determined by the department in accordance with the pupil accounting manual, in the cyber school’s educational program is considered regular daily attendance; for the education achievement system, a pupil’s participation, as determined by the department in accordance with the pupil accounting manual, in an online educational program of the education achievement system or of an achievement school is considered regular daily attendance; and for a district a pupil’s participation in an online course as defined in section 21f is considered regular daily attendance. The amount of the foundation allowance for a pupil in membership is determined under section 20. In making the calculation of membership, all of the following, as applicable, apply to determining the membership of a district, a public school academy, the education achievement system, or an intermediate district:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, and pursuant to subsection (6), a pupil shall be counted in membership in the pupil’s educating district or districts. An individual pupil shall not be counted for more than a total of 1.0 full-time equated membership.

(b) If a pupil is educated in a district other than the pupil’s district of residence, if the pupil is not being educated as part of a cooperative education program, if the pupil’s district of residence does not give the educating district its approval to count the pupil in membership in the educating district, and if the pupil is not covered by an exception specified in subsection (6) to the requirement that the educating district must have the approval of the pupil’s district of residence to count the pupil in membership, the pupil shall not be counted in membership in any district.

(c) A special education pupil educated by the intermediate district shall be counted in membership in the intermediate district.

(d) A pupil placed by a court or state agency in an on-grounds program of a juvenile detention facility, a child caring institution, or a mental health institution, or a pupil funded under section 53a, shall be counted in membership in the district or intermediate district approved by the department to operate the program.

(e) A pupil enrolled in the Michigan schools for the deaf and blind shall be counted in membership in the pupil’s intermediate district of residence.

(f) A pupil enrolled in a career and technical education program supported by a millage levied over an area larger than a single district or in an area vocational-technical education program established pursuant to section 690 of the revised school code, MCL 380.690, shall be counted only in the pupil’s district of residence.

(g) A pupil enrolled in a public school academy shall be counted in membership in the public school academy.

(h) A pupil enrolled in an achievement school shall be counted in membership in the education achievement system.

(i) For a new district or public school academy beginning its operation after December 31, 1994, or for the education achievement system or an achievement school, membership for the first 2 full or partial fiscal years of operation shall be determined as follows:

(i) If operations begin before the pupil membership count day for the fiscal year, membership is the average number of full-time equated pupils in grades K to 12 actually enrolled and in regular daily attendance on the pupil membership count day for the current school year and on the supplemental count day for the current school year, as determined by the department and calculated by adding the number of pupils registered for attendance on the pupil membership count day plus pupils received by transfer and minus pupils lost as defined by rules promulgated by the superintendent, and as corrected by a subsequent department audit, plus the final audited count from the supplemental count day for the current school year, and dividing that sum by 2.

(ii) If operations begin after the pupil membership count day for the fiscal year and not later than the supplemental count day for the fiscal year, membership is the final audited count of the number of full-time equated pupils in grades K to 12 actually enrolled and in regular daily attendance on the supplemental count day for the current school year.

(j) If a district is the authorizing body for a public school academy, then, in the first school year in which pupils are counted in membership on the pupil membership count day in the public school academy, the determination of the district’s membership shall exclude from the district’s pupil count for the immediately preceding supplemental count day any pupils who are counted in the public school academy on that first pupil membership count day who were also counted in the district on the immediately preceding supplemental count day.

(k) In a district, a public school academy, the education achievement system, or an intermediate district operating an extended school year program approved by the superintendent, a pupil enrolled, but not scheduled to be in regular daily attendance on a pupil membership count day, shall be counted.

(l) To be counted in membership, a pupil shall meet the minimum age requirement to be eligible to attend school under section 1147 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1147, or shall be enrolled under subsection (3) of that section, and shall be less than 20 years of age on September 1 of the school year except as follows:

(i) A special education pupil who is enrolled and receiving instruction in a special education program or service approved by the department, who does not have a high school diploma, and who is less than 26 years of age as of September 1 of the current school year shall be counted in membership.

(ii) A pupil who is determined by the department to meet all of the following may be counted in membership:

(A) Is enrolled in a public school academy or an alternative education high school diploma program, that is primarily focused on educating homeless pupils.

(B) Had dropped out of school for more than 1 year and has re-entered school.

(D) Is considered to be homeless under 42 USC 11302.

(iii) If a child does not meet the minimum age requirement to be eligible to attend school for that school year under section 1147 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1147, but will be 5 years of age not later than December 1 of that school year, the district may count the child in membership for that school year if the parent or legal guardian has notified the district in writing that he or she intends to enroll the child in kindergarten for that school year.

(m) An individual who has obtained a high school diploma shall not be counted in membership. An individual who has obtained a general educational development (G.E.D.) certificate shall not be counted in membership unless the individual is a student with a disability as defined in R 340.1702 of the Michigan administrative code. An individual participating in a job training program funded under former section 107a or a jobs program funded under former section 107b, administered by the Michigan strategic fund, or participating in any successor of either of those 2 programs, shall not be counted in membership.

(n) If a pupil counted in membership in a public school academy or the education achievement system is also educated by a district or intermediate district as part of a cooperative education program, the pupil shall be counted in membership only in the public school academy or the education achievement system unless a written agreement signed by all parties designates the party or parties in which the pupil shall be counted in membership, and the instructional time scheduled for the pupil in the district or intermediate district shall be included in the full-time equated membership determination under subdivision (q) and section 101. However, for pupils receiving instruction in both a public school academy or the education achievement system and in a district or intermediate district but not as a part of a cooperative education program, the following apply:

(i) If the public school academy or the education achievement system provides instruction for at least 1/2 of the class hours required under section 101, the public school academy or the education achievement system shall receive as its prorated share of the full-time equated membership for each of those pupils an amount equal to 1 times the product of the hours of instruction the public school academy or the education achievement system provides divided by the number of hours required under section 101 for full-time equivalency, and the remainder of the full-time membership for each of those pupils shall be allocated to the district or intermediate district providing the remainder of the hours of instruction.

(ii) If the public school academy or the education achievement system provides instruction for less than 1/2 of the class hours required under section 101, the district or intermediate district providing the remainder of the hours of instruction shall receive as its prorated share of the full-time equated membership for each of those pupils an amount equal to 1 times the product of the hours of instruction the district or intermediate district provides divided by the number of hours required under section 101 for full-time equivalency, and the remainder of the full-time membership for each of those pupils shall be allocated to the public school academy or the education achievement system.

(o) An individual less than 16 years of age as of September 1 of the current school year who is being educated in an alternative education program shall not be counted in membership if there are also adult education participants being educated in the same program or classroom.

(p) The department shall give a uniform interpretation of full-time and part-time memberships.

(q) The number of class hours used to calculate full-time equated memberships shall be consistent with section 101. In determining full-time equated memberships for pupils who are enrolled in a postsecondary institution, a pupil shall not be considered to be less than a full-time equated pupil solely because of the effect of his or her postsecondary enrollment, including necessary travel time, on the number of class hours provided by the district to the pupil.

(r) Full-time equated memberships for pupils in kindergarten shall be determined by dividing the number of instructional hours scheduled and provided per year per kindergarten pupil by the same number used for determining full-time equated memberships for pupils in grades 1 to 12. However, to the extent allowable under federal law, for a district or public school academy that provides evidence satisfactory to the department that it used federal title I money in the 2 immediately preceding school fiscal years to fund full-time kindergarten, full-time equated memberships for pupils in kindergarten shall be determined by dividing the number of class hours scheduled and provided per year per kindergarten pupil by a number equal to 1/2 the number used for determining full-time equated memberships for pupils in grades 1 to 12. The change in the counting of full-time equated memberships for pupils in kindergarten that took effect for 2012-2013 is not a mandate.

(s) For a district, a public school academy, or the education achievement system that has pupils enrolled in a grade level that was not offered by the district, the public school academy, or the education achievement system in the immediately preceding school year, the number of pupils enrolled in that grade level to be counted in membership is the average of the number of those pupils enrolled and in regular daily attendance on the pupil membership count day and the supplemental count day of the current school year, as determined by the department. Membership shall be calculated by adding the number of pupils registered for attendance in that grade level on the pupil membership count day plus pupils received by transfer and minus pupils lost as defined by rules promulgated by the superintendent, and as corrected by subsequent department audit, plus the final audited count from the supplemental count day for the current school year, and dividing that sum by 2.

(t) A pupil enrolled in a cooperative education program may be counted in membership in the pupil’s district of residence with the written approval of all parties to the cooperative agreement.

(u) If, as a result of a disciplinary action, a district determines through the district’s alternative or disciplinary education program that the best instructional placement for a pupil is in the pupil’s home or otherwise apart from the general school population, if that placement is authorized in writing by the district superintendent and district alternative or disciplinary education supervisor, and if the district provides appropriate instruction as described in this subdivision to the pupil at the pupil’s home or otherwise apart from the general school population, the district may count the pupil in membership on a pro rata basis, with the proration based on the number of hours of instruction the district actually provides to the pupil divided by the number of hours required under section 101 for full-time equivalency. For the purposes of this subdivision, a district shall be considered to be providing appropriate instruction if all of the following are met:

(i) The district provides at least 2 nonconsecutive hours of instruction per week to the pupil at the pupil’s home or otherwise apart from the general school population under the supervision of a certificated teacher.

(ii) The district provides instructional materials, resources, and supplies that are comparable to those otherwise provided in the district’s alternative education program.

(iii) Course content is comparable to that in the district’s alternative education program.

(iv) Credit earned is awarded to the pupil and placed on the pupil’s transcript.

(v) If a pupil was enrolled in a public school academy on the pupil membership count day, if the public school academy’s contract with its authorizing body is revoked or the public school academy otherwise ceases to operate, and if the pupil enrolls in a district or the education achievement system within 45 days after the pupil membership count day, the department shall adjust the district’s or the education achievement system’s pupil count for the pupil membership count day to include the pupil in the count.

(w) For a public school academy that has been in operation for at least 2 years and that suspended operations for at least 1 semester and is resuming operations, membership is the sum of the product of .90 times the number of full-time equated pupils in grades K to 12 actually enrolled and in regular daily attendance on the first pupil membership count day or supplemental count day, whichever is first, occurring after operations resume, plus the product of .10 times the final audited count from the most recent pupil membership count day or supplemental count day that occurred before suspending operations, as determined by the superintendent.

(x) If a district’s membership for a particular fiscal year, as otherwise calculated under this subsection, would be less than 1,550 pupils and the district has 4.5 or fewer pupils per square mile, as determined by the department, and if the district does not receive funding under section 22d(2), the district’s membership shall be considered to be the membership figure calculated under this subdivision. If a district educates and counts in its membership pupils in grades 9 to 12 who reside in a contiguous district that does not operate grades 9 to 12 and if 1 or both of the affected districts request the department to use the determination allowed under this sentence, the department shall include the square mileage of both districts in determining the number of pupils per square mile for each of the districts for the purposes of this subdivision. The membership figure calculated under this subdivision is the greater of the following:

(i) The average of the district’s membership for the 3-fiscal-year period ending with that fiscal year, calculated by adding the district’s actual membership for each of those 3 fiscal years, as otherwise calculated under this subsection, and dividing the sum of those 3 membership figures by 3.

(ii) The district’s actual membership for that fiscal year as otherwise calculated under this subsection.

(y) Full-time equated memberships for special education pupils who are not enrolled in kindergarten but are enrolled in a classroom program under R 340.1754 of the Michigan administrative code shall be determined by dividing the number of class hours scheduled and provided per year by 450. Full-time equated memberships for special education pupils who are not enrolled in kindergarten but are receiving early childhood special education services under R 340.1755 or R 340.1862 of the Michigan administrative code shall be determined by dividing the number of hours of service scheduled and provided per year per-pupil by 180.

(z) A pupil of a district that begins its school year after Labor Day who is enrolled in an intermediate district program that begins before Labor Day shall not be considered to be less than a full-time pupil solely due to instructional time scheduled but not attended by the pupil before Labor Day.

(aa) For the first year in which a pupil is counted in membership on the pupil membership count day in a middle college program, the membership is the average of the full-time equated membership on the pupil membership count day and on the supplemental count day for the current school year, as determined by the department. If a pupil described in this subdivision was counted in membership by the operating district on the immediately preceding supplemental count day, the pupil shall be excluded from the district’s immediately preceding supplemental count for the purposes of determining the district’s membership.

(bb) A district, a public school academy, or the education achievement system that educates a pupil who attends a United States Olympic Education Center may count the pupil in membership regardless of whether or not the pupil is a resident of this state.

(cc) A pupil enrolled in a district other than the pupil’s district of residence pursuant to section 1148(2) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1148, shall be counted in the educating district or the education achievement system.

(dd) For a pupil enrolled in a dropout recovery program that meets the requirements of section 23a, the pupil shall be counted as 1/12 of a full-time equated membership for each month that the district operating the program reports that the pupil was enrolled in the program and was in full attendance. However, if the special membership counting provisions under this subdivision and the operation of the other membership counting provisions under this subsection result in a pupil being counted as more than 1.0 FTE in a fiscal year, the payment made for the pupil under sections 22a and 22b shall not be based on more than 1.0 FTE for that pupil, and any portion of an FTE for that pupil that exceeds 1.0 shall instead be paid under section 25g. The district operating the program shall report to the center the number of pupils who were enrolled in the program and were in full attendance for a month not later than the tenth day of the next month. A district shall not report a pupil as being in full attendance for a month unless both of the following are met:

(i) A personalized learning plan is in place on or before the first school day of the month for the first month the pupil participates in the program.

(ii) The pupil meets the district’s definition under section 23a of satisfactory monthly progress for that month or, if the pupil does not meet that definition of satisfactory monthly progress for that month, the pupil did meet that definition of satisfactory monthly progress in the immediately preceding month and appropriate interventions are implemented within 10 school days after it is determined that the pupil does not meet that definition of satisfactory monthly progress.

(ee) A pupil participating in an online course under section 21f shall be counted in membership in the district enrolling the pupil.

(ff) If a public school academy that is not in its first or second year of operation closes at the end of a school year and does not reopen for the next school year, the department shall adjust the membership count of the district or the education achievement system in which a former pupil of the public school academy enrolls and is in regular daily attendance for the next school year to ensure that the district or the education achievement system receives the same amount of membership aid for the pupil as if the pupil were counted in the district or the education achievement system on the supplemental count day of the preceding school year.

(5) “Public school academy” means that term as defined in section 5 of the revised school code, MCL 380.5.

(6) “Pupil” means a person in membership in a public school. A district must have the approval of the pupil’s district of residence to count the pupil in membership, except approval by the pupil’s district of residence is not required for any of the following:

(a) A nonpublic part-time pupil enrolled in grades 1 to 12 in accordance with section 166b.

(b) A pupil receiving 1/2 or less of his or her instruction in a district other than the pupil’s district of residence.

(d) A pupil enrolled in a district other than the pupil’s district of residence under an intermediate district schools of choice pilot program as described in section 91a or former section 91 if the intermediate district and its constituent districts have been exempted from section 105.

(e) A pupil enrolled in a district other than the pupil’s district of residence if the pupil is enrolled in accordance with section 105 or 105c.

(f) A pupil who has made an official written complaint or whose parent or legal guardian has made an official written complaint to law enforcement officials and to school officials of the pupil’s district of residence that the pupil has been the victim of a criminal sexual assault or other serious assault, if the official complaint either indicates that the assault occurred at school or that the assault was committed by 1 or more other pupils enrolled in the school the pupil would otherwise attend in the district of residence or by an employee of the district of residence. A person who intentionally makes a false report of a crime to law enforcement officials for the purposes of this subdivision is subject to section 411a of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.411a, which provides criminal penalties for that conduct. As used in this subdivision:

(i) “At school” means in a classroom, elsewhere on school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, or at a school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises.

(ii) “Serious assault” means an act that constitutes a felony violation of chapter XI of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.81 to 750.90h, or that constitutes an assault and infliction of serious or aggravated injury under section 81a of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.81a.

(g) A pupil whose district of residence changed after the pupil membership count day and before the supplemental count day and who continues to be enrolled on the supplemental count day as a nonresident in the district in which he or she was enrolled as a resident on the pupil membership count day of the same school year.

(h) A pupil enrolled in an alternative education program operated by a district other than his or her district of residence who meets 1 or more of the following:

(i) The pupil has been suspended or expelled from his or her district of residence for any reason, including, but not limited to, a suspension or expulsion under section 1310, 1311, or 1311a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1310, 380.1311, and 380.1311a.

(ii) The pupil had previously dropped out of school.

(iii) The pupil is pregnant or is a parent.

(iv) The pupil has been referred to the program by a court.

(i) A pupil enrolled in the Michigan virtual school, for the pupil’s enrollment in the Michigan virtual school.

(j) A pupil who is the child of a person who works at the district or who is the child of a person who worked at the district as of the time the pupil first enrolled in the district but who no longer works at the district due to a workforce reduction. As used in this subdivision, “child” includes an adopted child, stepchild, or legal ward.

(k) An expelled pupil who has been denied reinstatement by the expelling district and is reinstated by another school board under section 1311 or 1311a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1311 and 380.1311a.

(l) A pupil enrolled in a district other than the pupil’s district of residence in a middle college program if the pupil’s district of residence and the enrolling district are both constituent districts of the same intermediate district.

(m) A pupil enrolled in a district other than the pupil’s district of residence who attends a United States Olympic Education Center.

(n) A pupil enrolled in a district other than the pupil’s district of residence pursuant to section 1148(2) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1148.

(o) A pupil who enrolls in a district other than the pupil’s district of residence as a result of the pupil’s school not making adequate yearly progress under the no child left behind act of 2001, Public Law 107-110.

However, if a district educates pupils who reside in another district and if the primary instructional site for those pupils is established by the educating district after 2009-2010 and is located within the boundaries of that other district, the educating district must have the approval of that other district to count those pupils in membership.

(7) “Pupil membership count day” of a district or intermediate district means:

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the first Wednesday in October each school year or, for a district or building in which school is not in session on that Wednesday due to conditions not within the control of school authorities, with the approval of the superintendent, the immediately following day on which school is in session in the district or building.

(b) For a district or intermediate district maintaining school during the entire school year, the following days:

(i) Fourth Wednesday in July.

(ii) First Wednesday in October.

(iii) Second Wednesday in February.

(iv) Fourth Wednesday in April.

(8) “Pupils in grades K to 12 actually enrolled and in regular daily attendance” means pupils in grades K to 12 in attendance and receiving instruction in all classes for which they are enrolled on the pupil membership count day or the supplemental count day, as applicable. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a pupil who is absent from any of the classes in which the pupil is enrolled on the pupil membership count day or supplemental count day and who does not attend each of those classes during the 10 consecutive school days immediately following the pupil membership count day or supplemental count day, except for a pupil who has been excused by the district, shall not be counted as 1.0 full-time equated membership. A pupil who is excused from attendance on the pupil membership count day or supplemental count day and who fails to attend each of the classes in which the pupil is enrolled within 30 calendar days after the pupil membership count day or supplemental count day shall not be counted as 1.0 full-time equated membership. In addition, a pupil who was enrolled and in attendance in a district, an intermediate district, a public school academy, or the education achievement system before the pupil membership count day or supplemental count day of a particular year but was expelled or suspended on the pupil membership count day or supplemental count day shall only be counted as 1.0 full-time equated membership if the pupil resumed attendance in the district, intermediate district, public school academy, or education achievement system within 45 days after the pupil membership count day or supplemental count day of that particular year. Pupils not counted as 1.0 full-time equated membership due to an absence from a class shall be counted as a prorated membership for the classes the pupil attended. For purposes of this subsection, “class” means a period of time in 1 day when pupils and a certificated teacher or legally qualified substitute teacher are together and instruction is taking place.

(9) “Rule” means a rule promulgated pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328.

(10) “The revised school code” means 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1 to 380.1852.

(11) “School district of the first class”, “first class school district”, and “district of the first class” mean, for the purposes of this article only, a district that had at least 40,000 pupils in membership for the immediately preceding fiscal year.

(12) “School fiscal year” means a fiscal year that commences July 1 and continues through June 30.

(13) “State board” means the state board of education.

(14) “Superintendent”, unless the context clearly refers to a district or intermediate district superintendent, means the superintendent of public instruction described in section 3 of article VIII of the state constitution of 1963.

(15) “Supplemental count day” means the day on which the supplemental pupil count is conducted under section 6a.

(16) “Tuition pupil” means a pupil of school age attending school in a district other than the pupil’s district of residence for whom tuition may be charged to the district of residence. Tuition pupil does not include a pupil who is a special education pupil, a pupil described in subsection (6)(c) to (p), or a pupil whose parent or guardian voluntarily enrolls the pupil in a district that is not the pupil’s district of residence. A pupil’s district of residence shall not require a high school tuition pupil, as provided under section 111, to attend another school district after the pupil has been assigned to a school district.

(17) “State school aid fund” means the state school aid fund established in section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963.

(18) “Taxable value” means the taxable value of property as determined under section 27a of the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.27a.

(19) “Textbook” means a book, electronic book, or other instructional print or electronic resource that is selected and approved by the governing board of a district or, for an achievement school, by the chancellor of the achievement authority and that contains a presentation of principles of a subject, or that is a literary work relevant to the study of a subject required for the use of classroom pupils, or another type of course material that forms the basis of classroom instruction.

(20) “Total state aid” or “total state school aid” means the total combined amount of all funds due to a district, intermediate district, or other entity under all of the provisions of this article.

Sec. 8b. (1) The department shall assign a district code to each public school academy that is authorized under the revised school code and is eligible to receive funding under this article within 30 days after a contract is submitted to the department by the authorizing body of a public school academy.

(2) If the department does not assign a district code to a public school academy within the 30-day period described in subsection (1), the district code the department shall use to make payments under this article to the newly authorized public school academy shall be a number that is equivalent to the sum of the last district code assigned to a public school academy located in the same county as the newly authorized public school academy plus 1. However, if there is not an existing public school academy located in the same county as the newly authorized public school academy, then the district code the department shall use to make payments under this article to the newly authorized public school academy shall be a 5-digit number that has the county code in which the public school academy is located as its first 2 digits, 9 as its third digit, 0 as its fourth digit, and 1 as its fifth digit. If the number of public school academies in a county grows to exceed 100, the third digit in this 5-digit number shall then be 7 for the public school academies in excess of 100.

(3) For each school of excellence that is a cyber school and is authorized under part 6e of the revised school code, MCL 380.551 to 380.561, by a school district, intermediate school district, community college other than a federal tribally controlled community college, or other authorizing body that is not empowered to authorize a school of excellence to operate statewide and is eligible to receive funding under this article, the department shall assign a district code that includes as the first 2 digits the county code in which the authorizing body is located.

Sec. 11. (1) For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, there is appropriated for the public schools of this state and certain other state purposes relating to education the sum of $11,814,097,400.00 from the state school aid fund, the sum of $18,000,000.00 from the MPSERS retirement obligation reform reserve fund created under section 147b, and the sum of $33,700,000.00 from the general fund. For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, there is appropriated for the public schools of this state and certain other state purposes relating to education the sum of $12,074,660,100.00 from the state school aid fund and the sum of $45,900,000.00 from the general fund. In addition, all other available federal funds are appropriated each fiscal year for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2016.

(2) The appropriations under this section shall be allocated as provided in this article. Money appropriated under this section from the general fund shall be expended to fund the purposes of this article before the expenditure of money appropriated under this section from the state school aid fund.

(3) Any general fund allocations under this article that are not expended by the end of the state fiscal year are transferred to the school aid stabilization fund created under section 11a.

Sec. 11a. (1) The school aid stabilization fund is created as a separate account within the state school aid fund established by section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963.

(2) The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the school aid stabilization fund. The state treasurer shall deposit into the school aid stabilization fund all of the following:

(a) Unexpended and unencumbered state school aid fund revenue for a fiscal year that remains in the state school aid fund as of the bookclosing for that fiscal year.

(b) Money statutorily dedicated to the school aid stabilization fund.

(3) Money available in the school aid stabilization fund may not be expended without a specific appropriation from the school aid stabilization fund. Money in the school aid stabilization fund shall be expended only for purposes for which state school aid fund money may be expended.

(4) The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the school aid stabilization fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the school aid stabilization fund interest and earnings from fund investments.

(5) Money in the school aid stabilization fund at the close of a fiscal year shall remain in the school aid stabilization fund and shall not lapse to the unreserved school aid fund balance or the general fund.

(6) If the maximum amount appropriated under section 11 from the state school aid fund for a fiscal year exceeds the amount available for expenditure from the state school aid fund for that fiscal year, there is appropriated from the school aid stabilization fund to the state school aid fund an amount equal to the projected shortfall as determined by the department of treasury, but not to exceed available money in the school aid stabilization fund. If the money in the school aid stabilization fund is insufficient to fully fund an amount equal to the projected shortfall, the state budget director shall notify the legislature as required under section 296(2) and state payments in an amount equal to the remainder of the projected shortfall shall be prorated in the manner provided under section 296(3).

(7) For 2015-2016, in addition to the appropriations in section 11, there is appropriated from the school aid stabilization fund to the state school aid fund the amount necessary to fully fund the allocations under this article.

Sec. 11j. From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $126,500,000.00 for 2015‑2016 for payments to the school loan bond redemption fund in the department of treasury on behalf of districts and intermediate districts. Notwithstanding section 296 or any other provision of this act, funds allocated under this section are not subject to proration and shall be paid in full.

Sec. 11k. For 2015-2016, there is appropriated from the general fund to the school loan revolving fund an amount equal to the amount of school bond loans assigned to the Michigan finance authority, not to exceed the total amount of school bond loans held in reserve as long-term assets. As used in this section, “school loan revolving fund” means that fund created in section 16c of the shared credit rating act, 1985 PA 227, MCL 141.1066c.

Sec. 11m. From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated for 2014-2015 an amount not to exceed $0.00 and there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00 for fiscal year cash-flow borrowing costs solely related to the state school aid fund established by section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963.

Sec. 11r. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated for 2014-2015 an amount not to exceed $4,000,000.00 to be deposited into the distressed districts emergency grant fund created under this section for the purpose of funding grants under this section.

(2) The distressed districts emergency grant fund is created as a separate account within the state school aid fund. The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the distressed districts emergency grant fund. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the distressed districts emergency grant fund and shall credit to the distressed districts emergency grant fund interest and earnings from the fund.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), and except as otherwise provided under subsection (8), a district is eligible to receive a grant from the distressed districts emergency grant fund if either of the following applies:

(a) The district has adopted a resolution authorizing the voluntary dissolution of the district approved by the state treasurer under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, but the dissolution has not yet taken effect under that section.

(b) The district is a receiving district under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, and the district enrolls pupils who were previously enrolled in a district that was dissolved under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, in the immediately preceding school year.

(4) A district receiving funds under section 20g is not eligible to receive funds under this section.

(5) The amount of a grant under this section shall be determined by the state treasurer after consultation with the superintendent of public instruction, but shall not exceed the estimated amount of remaining district costs in excess of available revenues, including, but not limited to, payroll, benefits, retirement system contributions, pupil transportation, food services, special education, building security, and other costs necessary to allow the district to operate schools directly and provide public education services until the end of the current school fiscal year. For a district that meets the eligibility criteria under subsection (3)(b), the amount of the grant shall be determined in the same manner as transition costs under section 20g.

(6) Before disbursing funds under this section, the state treasurer shall notify the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on school aid and the house and senate fiscal agencies. The notification shall include, but not be limited to, the district receiving funds under this section, the amount of the funds awarded under this section, an explanation of the district conditions that necessitate funding under this section, and the intended use of funds disbursed under this section.

(7) Money in the distressed districts emergency grant fund at the close of a fiscal year shall remain in the distressed districts emergency grant fund and shall not lapse to the state school aid fund or to the general fund.

(8) For 2014-2015 only, for a district that is a strict discipline academy established under sections 1311b to 1311m of the revised school code, MCL 380.1311b to 380.1311m, that serves at least 340 pupils as reported on the line labeled “State Aid Membership” in the May 2015 state aid financial status report, and that services a program that provided pupil accounting information to the department for the October 2013 data collection on the department form entitled “ANNUAL SURVEY OF CHILDREN IN LOCAL INSTITUTIONS FOR NEGLECTED OR DELINQUENT CHILDREN OR IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS (Title I of P.L. 107-110)”, but for which the information was not correctly compiled by the department, the department shall award a grant to that district under this subsection from the funding allocated under subsection (1) to compensate the district for the loss in federal funding that occurred as a result of the department’s incorrect compilation. The amount of the grant under this subsection for this purpose shall be $178,000.00 for the amount lost for the 2014-2015 school year.

Sec. 15. (1) If a district or intermediate district fails to receive its proper apportionment, the department, upon satisfactory proof that the district or intermediate district was entitled justly, shall apportion the deficiency in the next apportionment. Subject to subsections (2) and (3), if a district or intermediate district has received more than its proper apportionment, the department, upon satisfactory proof, shall deduct the excess in the next apportionment. Notwithstanding any other provision in this article, state aid overpayments to a district, other than overpayments in payments for special education or special education transportation, may be recovered from any payment made under this article other than a special education or special education transportation payment, from the proceeds of a loan to the district under the emergency municipal loan act, 1980 PA 243, MCL 141.931 to 141.942, or from the proceeds of millage levied or pledged under section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211. State aid overpayments made in special education or special education transportation payments may be recovered from subsequent special education or special education transportation payments, from the proceeds of a loan to the district under the emergency municipal loan act, 1980 PA 243, MCL 141.931 to 141.942, or from the proceeds of millage levied or pledged under section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211.

(2) If the result of an audit conducted by or for the department affects the current fiscal year membership, affected payments shall be adjusted in the current fiscal year. A deduction due to an adjustment made as a result of an audit conducted by or for the department, or as a result of information obtained by the department from the district, an intermediate district, the department of treasury, or the office of auditor general, shall be deducted from the district’s apportionments when the adjustment is finalized. At the request of the district and upon the district presenting evidence satisfactory to the department of the hardship, the department may grant up to an additional 4 years for the adjustment and may advance payments to the district otherwise authorized under this article if the district would otherwise experience a significant hardship in satisfying its financial obligations. For a district that is a strict discipline academy established under sections 1311b to 1311m of the revised school code, MCL 380.1311b to 380.1311m, and that claimed a hardship in 2014-2015 because of an overpayment caused by a miscalculation of its pupil membership for 2013‑2014, the department shall consider the amount of repayment made by the district as of the effective date of the amendatory act that added this sentence to constitute full repayment and the district is not required to continue making repayment for the overpayment that occurred in 2013-2014.

(3) If, based on an audit by the department or the department’s designee or because of new or updated information received by the department, the department determines that the amount paid to a district or intermediate district under this article for the current fiscal year or a prior fiscal year was incorrect, the department shall make the appropriate deduction or payment in the district’s or intermediate district’s allocation in the next apportionment after the adjustment is finalized. The deduction or payment shall be calculated according to the law in effect in the fiscal year in which the incorrect amount was paid. If the district does not receive an allocation for the fiscal year or if the allocation is not sufficient to pay the amount of any deduction, the amount of any deduction otherwise applicable shall be satisfied from the proceeds of a loan to the district under the emergency municipal loan act, 1980 PA 243, MCL 141.931 to 141.942, or from the proceeds of millage levied or pledged under section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, as determined by the department.

(4) The department may conduct audits, or may direct audits by designee of the department, for the current fiscal year and the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years of all records related to a program for which a district or intermediate district has received funds under this article.

(5) Expenditures made by the department under this article that are caused by the write-off of prior year accruals may be funded by revenue from the write-off of prior year accruals.

(6) In addition to funds appropriated in section 11 for all programs and services, there is appropriated for 2014-2015 and for 2015-2016 for obligations in excess of applicable appropriations an amount equal to the collection of overpayments, but not to exceed amounts available from overpayments.

Sec. 18. (1) Except as provided in another section of this article, each district or other entity shall apply the money received by the district or entity under this article to salaries and other compensation of teachers and other employees, tuition, transportation, lighting, heating, ventilation, water service, the purchase of textbooks, other supplies, and any other school operating expenditures defined in section 7. However, not more than 20% of the total amount received by a district under sections 22a and 22b or received by an intermediate district under section 81 may be transferred by the board to either the capital projects fund or to the debt retirement fund for debt service. The money shall not be applied or taken for a purpose other than as provided in this section. The department shall determine the reasonableness of expenditures and may withhold from a recipient of funds under this article the apportionment otherwise due upon a violation by the recipient.

(2) A district or intermediate district shall adopt an annual budget in a manner that complies with the uniform budgeting and accounting act, 1968 PA 2, MCL 141.421 to 141.440a. Within 15 days after a board adopts its annual operating budget for the following school fiscal year, or after a board adopts a subsequent revision to that budget, the district shall make all of the following available through a link on its website homepage, or may make the information available through a link on its intermediate district’s website homepage, in a form and manner prescribed by the department:

(a) The annual operating budget and subsequent budget revisions.

(b) Using data that have already been collected and submitted to the department, a summary of district expenditures for the most recent fiscal year for which they are available, expressed in the following 2 pie charts:

(i) A chart of personnel expenditures, broken into the following subcategories:

(A) Salaries and wages.

(B) Employee benefit costs, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and long-term care benefits.

(D) All other personnel costs.

(ii) A chart of all district expenditures, broken into the following subcategories:

(A) Instruction.

(B) Support services.

(D) Operations and maintenance.

(i) The current collective bargaining agreement for each bargaining unit.

(ii) Each health care benefits plan, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, disability, long-term care, or any other type of benefits that would constitute health care services, offered to any bargaining unit or employee in the district.

(iii) The audit report of the audit conducted under subsection (4) for the most recent fiscal year for which it is available.

(iv) The bids required under section 5 of the public employee health benefits act, 2007 PA 106, MCL 124.75.

(v) The district’s written policy governing procurement of supplies, materials, and equipment.

(vi) The district’s written policy establishing specific categories of reimbursable expenses, as described in section 1254(2) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1254.

(vii) Either the district’s accounts payable check register for the most recent school fiscal year or a statement of the total amount of expenses incurred by board members or employees of the district that were reimbursed by the district for the most recent school fiscal year.

(d) The total salary and a description and cost of each fringe benefit included in the compensation package for the superintendent of the district and for each employee of the district whose salary exceeds $100,000.00.

(e) The annual amount spent on dues paid to associations.

(f) The annual amount spent on lobbying or lobbying services. As used in this subdivision, “lobbying” means that term as defined in section 5 of 1978 PA 472, MCL 4.415.

(g) Any deficit elimination plan or enhanced deficit elimination plan the district was required to submit under this article.

(h) Identification of all credit cards maintained by the district as district credit cards, the identity of all individuals authorized to use each of those credit cards, the credit limit on each credit card, and the dollar limit, if any, for each individual’s authorized use of the credit card.

(i) Costs incurred for each instance of out-of-state travel by the school administrator of the district that is fully or partially paid for by the district and the details of each of those instances of out-of-state travel, including at least identification of each individual on the trip, destination, and purpose.

(3) For the information required under subsection (2)(a), (2)(b)(i), and (2)(c), an intermediate district shall provide the same information in the same manner as required for a district under subsection (2).

(4) For the purposes of determining the reasonableness of expenditures, whether a district or intermediate district has received the proper amount of funds under this article, and whether a violation of this article has occurred, all of the following apply:

(a) The department shall require that each district and intermediate district have an audit of the district’s or intermediate district’s financial and pupil accounting records conducted at least annually, and at such other times as determined by the department, at the expense of the district or intermediate district, as applicable. The audits must be performed by a certified public accountant or by the intermediate district superintendent, as may be required by the department, or in the case of a district of the first class by a certified public accountant, the intermediate superintendent, or the auditor general of the city. A district or intermediate district shall retain these records for the current fiscal year and from at least the 3 immediately preceding fiscal years.

(b) If a district operates in a single building with fewer than 700 full-time equated pupils, if the district has stable membership, and if the error rate of the immediately preceding 2 pupil accounting field audits of the district is less than 2%, the district may have a pupil accounting field audit conducted biennially but must continue to have desk audits for each pupil count. The auditor must document compliance with the audit cycle in the pupil auditing manual. As used in this subdivision, “stable membership” means that the district’s membership for the current fiscal year varies from the district’s membership for the immediately preceding fiscal year by less than 5%.

(c) A district’s or intermediate district’s annual financial audit shall include an analysis of the financial and pupil accounting data used as the basis for distribution of state school aid.

(d) The pupil and financial accounting records and reports, audits, and management letters are subject to requirements established in the auditing and accounting manuals approved and published by the department.

(e) All of the following shall be done not later than November 1 each year for reporting the prior fiscal year data:

(i) A district shall file the annual financial audit reports with the intermediate district and the department.

(ii) The intermediate district shall file the annual financial audit reports for the intermediate district with the department.

(iii) The intermediate district shall enter the pupil membership audit reports for its constituent districts and for the intermediate district, for the pupil membership count day and supplemental count day, in the Michigan student data system.

(f) The annual financial audit reports and pupil accounting procedures reports shall be available to the public in compliance with the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

(g) Not later than January 31 of each year, the department shall notify the state budget director and the legislative appropriations subcommittees responsible for review of the school aid budget of districts and intermediate districts that have not filed an annual financial audit and pupil accounting procedures report required under this section for the school year ending in the immediately preceding fiscal year.

(5) By November 1 each year, each district and intermediate district shall submit to the center, in a manner prescribed by the center, annual comprehensive financial data consistent with accounting manuals and charts of accounts approved and published by the department. For an intermediate district, the report shall also contain the website address where the department can access the report required under section 620 of the revised school code, MCL 380.620. The department shall ensure that the prescribed Michigan public school accounting manual chart of accounts includes standard conventions to distinguish expenditures by allowable fund function and object. The functions shall include at minimum categories for instruction, pupil support, instructional staff support, general administration, school administration, business administration, transportation, facilities operation and maintenance, facilities acquisition, and debt service; and shall include object classifications of salary, benefits, including categories for active employee health expenditures, purchased services, supplies, capital outlay, and other. Districts shall report the required level of detail consistent with the manual as part of the comprehensive annual financial report.

(6) By September 30 of each year, each district and intermediate district shall file with the department the special education actual cost report, known as “SE-4096”, on a form and in the manner prescribed by the department.

(7) By October 7 of each year, each district and intermediate district shall file with the center the transportation expenditure report, known as “SE-4094”, on a form and in the manner prescribed by the center.

(8) The department shall review its pupil accounting and pupil auditing manuals at least annually and shall periodically update those manuals to reflect changes in this article.

(9) If a district that is a public school academy purchases property using money received under this article, the public school academy shall retain ownership of the property unless the public school academy sells the property at fair market value.

(10) If a district or intermediate district does not comply with subsections (4), (5), (6), and (7), the department shall withhold all state school aid due to the district or intermediate district under this article, beginning with the next payment due to the district or intermediate district, until the district or intermediate district complies with subsections (4), (5), (6), and (7). If the district or intermediate district does not comply with subsections (4), (5), (6), and (7) by the end of the fiscal year, the district or intermediate district forfeits the amount withheld.

(11) If a district or intermediate district does not comply with subsection (2), the department may withhold up to 10% of the state school aid otherwise payable to the district or intermediate district under this article, beginning with the next payment due to the district or intermediate district, until the district or intermediate district complies with subsection (2). If the district or intermediate district does not comply with subsection (2) by the end of the fiscal year, the district or intermediate district forfeits the amount withheld.

(12) Not later than November 1, 2015, if a district or intermediate district offers online learning under section 21f, the district or intermediate district shall submit to the department a report that details the per-pupil costs of operating the online learning by vendor type. The report shall include at least all of the following information concerning the operation of online learning for the school fiscal year ending June 30, 2015:

(a) The name of the district operating the online learning and of each district that enrolled students in the online learning.

(b) The total number of students enrolled in the online learning and the total number of membership pupils enrolled in the online learning.

(c) For each pupil who is enrolled in a district other than the district offering online learning, the name of that district.

(d) The district in which the pupil was enrolled before enrolling in the district offering online learning.

(e) The number of participating students who had previously dropped out of school.

(f) The number of participating students who had previously been expelled from school.

(g) The total cost to enroll a student in the program. This cost shall be reported on a per-pupil, per-course, per-semester or trimester basis by vendor type. The total shall include costs broken down by cost for content development, content licensing, training, online instruction and instructional support, personnel, hardware and software, payment to each online learning provider, and other costs associated with operating online learning.

(h) The name of each online education provider contracted by the district and the state in which each online education provider is headquartered.

(13) Not later than March 31, 2016, the department shall submit to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, the state budget director, and the house and senate fiscal agencies a report summarizing the per pupil costs by vendor type of online courses available under section 21f.

(14) As used in subsections (12) and (13), “vendor type” means the following:

(a) Online courses provided by the Michigan virtual university.

(b) Online courses provided by a school of excellence that is a cyber school, as defined in section 551 of the revised school code, MCL 380.551.

(d) Online courses created and offered by a district or intermediate district.

Sec. 18a. Grant funds awarded and allotted to a district, intermediate district, or other entity, unless otherwise specified in this article, shall be expended by the grant recipient before the end of the fiscal year immediately following the fiscal year in which the funds are received. If a grant recipient does not expend the funds received under this article before the end of the fiscal year in which the funds are received, the grant recipient shall submit a report to the department not later than November 1 after the fiscal year in which the funds are received indicating whether it expects to expend those funds during the fiscal year in which the report is submitted. A recipient of a grant shall return any unexpended grant funds to the department in the manner prescribed by the department not later than September 30 after the fiscal year in which the funds are received.

Sec. 20. (1) For 2015-2016, both of the following apply:

(a) The basic foundation allowance is $8,169.00.

(b) The minimum foundation allowance is $7,391.00.

(2) The amount of each district’s foundation allowance shall be calculated as provided in this section, using a basic foundation allowance in the amount specified in subsection (1).

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the amount of a district’s foundation allowance shall be calculated as follows, using in all calculations the total amount of the district’s foundation allowance as calculated before any proration:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, for a district that had a foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year that was equal to the minimum foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year, but less than the basic foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year, the district shall receive a foundation allowance in an amount equal to the sum of the district’s foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year plus the difference between twice the dollar amount of the adjustment from the immediately preceding state fiscal year to the current state fiscal year made in the basic foundation allowance and [(the difference between the basic foundation allowance for the current state fiscal year and basic foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year minus $23.00) times (the difference between the district’s foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year and the minimum foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year) divided by the difference between the basic foundation allowance for the current state fiscal year and the minimum foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year]. However, the foundation allowance for a district that had less than the basic foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year shall not exceed the basic foundation allowance for the current state fiscal year. For the purposes of this subdivision, for 2015‑2016, the minimum foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year shall be considered to be $7,251.00.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, for a district that in the immediately preceding state fiscal year had a foundation allowance in an amount equal to the amount of the basic foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year, the district shall receive a foundation allowance for 2015-2016 in an amount equal to the basic foundation allowance for 2015-2016.

(c) For a district that had a foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year that was greater than the basic foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year, the district’s foundation allowance is an amount equal to the sum of the district’s foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year plus the lesser of the increase in the basic foundation allowance for the current state fiscal year, as compared to the immediately preceding state fiscal year, or the product of the district’s foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year times the percentage increase in the United States consumer price index in the calendar year ending in the immediately preceding fiscal year as reported by the May revenue estimating conference conducted under section 367b of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1367b.

(d) For a district that has a foundation allowance that is not a whole dollar amount, the district’s foundation allowance shall be rounded up to the nearest whole dollar.

(e) For a district that received a payment under section 22c as that section was in effect for 2014-2015, the district’s 2014-2015 foundation allowance shall be considered to have been an amount equal to the sum of the district’s actual 2014-2015 foundation allowance as otherwise calculated under this section plus the per-pupil amount of the district’s equity payment for 2014-2015 under section 22c as that section was in effect for 2014-2015.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the state portion of a district’s foundation allowance is an amount equal to the district’s foundation allowance or the basic foundation allowance for the current state fiscal year, whichever is less, minus the local portion of the district’s foundation allowance divided by the district’s membership excluding special education pupils. For a district described in subsection (3)(c), the state portion of the district’s foundation allowance is an amount equal to $6,962.00 plus the difference between the district’s foundation allowance for the current state fiscal year and the district’s foundation allowance for 1998-99, minus the local portion of the district’s foundation allowance divided by the district’s membership excluding special education pupils. For a district that has a millage reduction required under section 31 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, the state portion of the district’s foundation allowance shall be calculated as if that reduction did not occur. For a receiving district, if school operating taxes continue to be levied on behalf of a dissolved district that has been attached in whole or in part to the receiving district to satisfy debt obligations of the dissolved district under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, the taxable value per membership pupil of property in the receiving district used for the purposes of this subsection does not include the taxable value of property within the geographic area of the dissolved district.

(5) The allocation calculated under this section for a pupil shall be based on the foundation allowance of the pupil’s district of residence. For a pupil enrolled pursuant to section 105 or 105c in a district other than the pupil’s district of residence, the allocation calculated under this section shall be based on the lesser of the foundation allowance of the pupil’s district of residence or the foundation allowance of the educating district. For a pupil in membership in a K-5, K-6, or K-8 district who is enrolled in another district in a grade not offered by the pupil’s district of residence, the allocation calculated under this section shall be based on the foundation allowance of the educating district if the educating district’s foundation allowance is greater than the foundation allowance of the pupil’s district of residence.

(6) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, for pupils in membership, other than special education pupils, in a public school academy, the allocation calculated under this section is an amount per membership pupil other than special education pupils in the public school academy equal to the foundation allowance of the district in which the public school academy is located or the state maximum public school academy allocation, whichever is less. For pupils in membership, other than special education pupils, in a public school academy that is a cyber school and is authorized by a school district, the allocation calculated under this section is an amount per membership pupil other than special education pupils in the public school academy equal to the foundation allowance of the district that authorized the public school academy or the state maximum public school academy allocation, whichever is less. However, a public school academy that had an allocation under this subsection before 2009-2010 that was equal to the sum of the local school operating revenue per membership pupil other than special education pupils for the district in which the public school academy is located and the state portion of that district’s foundation allowance shall not have that allocation reduced as a result of the 2010 amendment to this subsection. Notwithstanding section 101, for a public school academy that begins operations after the pupil membership count day, the amount per membership pupil calculated under this subsection shall be adjusted by multiplying that amount per membership pupil by the number of hours of pupil instruction provided by the public school academy after it begins operations, as determined by the department, divided by the minimum number of hours of pupil instruction required under section 101(3). The result of this calculation shall not exceed the amount per membership pupil otherwise calculated under this subsection.

(7) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, for pupils attending an achievement school and in membership in the education achievement system, other than special education pupils, the allocation calculated under this section is an amount per membership pupil other than special education pupils equal to the foundation allowance of the district in which the achievement school is located, not to exceed the basic foundation allowance. Notwithstanding section 101, for an achievement school that begins operation after the pupil membership count day, the amount per membership pupil calculated under this subsection shall be adjusted by multiplying that amount per membership pupil by the number of hours of pupil instruction provided by the achievement school after it begins operations, as determined by the department, divided by the minimum number of hours of pupil instruction required under section 101(3). The result of this calculation shall not exceed the amount per membership pupil otherwise calculated under this subsection. For the purposes of this subsection, if a public school is transferred from a district to the state school reform/redesign district or the achievement authority under section 1280c of the revised school code, MCL 380.1280c, that public school is considered to be an achievement school within the education achievement system and not a school that is part of a district, and a pupil attending that public school is considered to be in membership in the education achievement system and not in membership in the district that operated the school before the transfer.

(8) Subject to subsection (4), for a district that is formed or reconfigured after June 1, 2002 by consolidation of 2 or more districts or by annexation, the resulting district’s foundation allowance under this section beginning after the effective date of the consolidation or annexation shall be the lesser of the sum of the average of the foundation allowances of each of the original or affected districts, calculated as provided in this section, weighted as to the percentage of pupils in total membership in the resulting district who reside in the geographic area of each of the original or affected districts plus $100.00 or the highest foundation allowance among the original or affected districts. This subsection does not apply to a receiving district unless there is a subsequent consolidation or annexation that affects the district.

(9) Each fraction used in making calculations under this section shall be rounded to the fourth decimal place and the dollar amount of an increase in the basic foundation allowance shall be rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

(10) State payments related to payment of the foundation allowance for a special education pupil are not calculated under this section but are instead calculated under section 51a.

(11) To assist the legislature in determining the basic foundation allowance for the subsequent state fiscal year, each revenue estimating conference conducted under section 367b of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1367b, shall calculate a pupil membership factor, a revenue adjustment factor, and an index as follows:

(a) The pupil membership factor shall be computed by dividing the estimated membership in the school year ending in the current state fiscal year, excluding intermediate district membership, by the estimated membership for the school year ending in the subsequent state fiscal year, excluding intermediate district membership. If a consensus membership factor is not determined at the revenue estimating conference, the principals of the revenue estimating conference shall report their estimates to the house and senate subcommittees responsible for school aid appropriations not later than 7 days after the conclusion of the revenue conference.

(b) The revenue adjustment factor shall be computed by dividing the sum of the estimated total state school aid fund revenue for the subsequent state fiscal year plus the estimated total state school aid fund revenue for the current state fiscal year, adjusted for any change in the rate or base of a tax the proceeds of which are deposited in that fund and excluding money transferred into that fund from the countercyclical budget and economic stabilization fund under the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1101 to 18.1594, by the sum of the estimated total school aid fund revenue for the current state fiscal year plus the estimated total state school aid fund revenue for the immediately preceding state fiscal year, adjusted for any change in the rate or base of a tax the proceeds of which are deposited in that fund. If a consensus revenue factor is not determined at the revenue estimating conference, the principals of the revenue estimating conference shall report their estimates to the house and senate subcommittees responsible for school aid appropriations not later than 7 days after the conclusion of the revenue conference.

(c) The index shall be calculated by multiplying the pupil membership factor by the revenue adjustment factor. If a consensus index is not determined at the revenue estimating conference, the principals of the revenue estimating conference shall report their estimates to the house and senate subcommittees responsible for school aid appropriations not later than 7 days after the conclusion of the revenue conference.

(12) Payments to districts, public school academies, or the education achievement system shall not be made under this section. Rather, the calculations under this section shall be used to determine the amount of state payments under section 22b.

(13) If an amendment to section 2 of article VIII of the state constitution of 1963 allowing state aid to some or all nonpublic schools is approved by the voters of this state, each foundation allowance or per-pupil payment calculation under this section may be reduced.

(14) As used in this section:

(a) “Certified mills” means the lesser of 18 mills or the number of mills of school operating taxes levied by the district in 1993-94.

(b) “Combined state and local revenue” means the aggregate of the district’s state school aid received by or paid on behalf of the district under this section and the district’s local school operating revenue.

(c) “Combined state and local revenue per membership pupil” means the district’s combined state and local revenue divided by the district’s membership excluding special education pupils.

(d) “Current state fiscal year” means the state fiscal year for which a particular calculation is made.

(e) “Dissolved district” means a district that loses its organization, has its territory attached to 1 or more other districts, and is dissolved as provided under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12.

(f) “Immediately preceding state fiscal year” means the state fiscal year immediately preceding the current state fiscal year.

(g) “Local portion of the district’s foundation allowance” means an amount that is equal to the difference between (the sum of the product of the taxable value per membership pupil of all property in the district that is nonexempt property times the district’s certified mills and, for a district with certified mills exceeding 12, the product of the taxable value per membership pupil of property in the district that is commercial personal property times the certified mills minus 12 mills) and (the quotient of the product of the captured assessed valuation under tax increment financing acts times the district’s certified mills divided by the district’s membership excluding special education pupils).

(h) “Local school operating revenue” means school operating taxes levied under section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211. For a receiving district, if school operating taxes are to be levied on behalf of a dissolved district that has been attached in whole or in part to the receiving district to satisfy debt obligations of the dissolved district under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, local school operating revenue does not include school operating taxes levied within the geographic area of the dissolved district.

(i) “Local school operating revenue per membership pupil” means a district’s local school operating revenue divided by the district’s membership excluding special education pupils.

(j) “Maximum public school academy allocation”, except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, means the maximum per-pupil allocation as calculated by adding the highest per-pupil allocation among all public school academies for the immediately preceding state fiscal year plus the difference between twice the amount of the difference between the basic foundation allowance for the current state fiscal year and the basic foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year and [(the amount of the difference between the basic foundation allowance for the current state fiscal year and the basic foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year minus $23.00) times (the difference between the highest per-pupil allocation among all public school academies for the immediately preceding state fiscal year and the minimum foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year) divided by the difference between the basic foundation allowance for the current state fiscal year and the minimum foundation allowance for the immediately preceding state fiscal year]. For the purposes of this subdivision, for 2015-2016, the maximum public school academy allocation is $7,391.00.

(k) “Membership” means the definition of that term under section 6 as in effect for the particular fiscal year for which a particular calculation is made.

(l) “Nonexempt property” means property that is not a principal residence, qualified agricultural property, qualified forest property, supportive housing property, industrial personal property, commercial personal property, or property occupied by a public school academy.

(m) “Principal residence”, “qualified agricultural property”, “qualified forest property”, “supportive housing property”, “industrial personal property”, and “commercial personal property” mean those terms as defined in section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211.

(n) “Receiving district” means a district to which all or part of the territory of a dissolved district is attached under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12.

(o) “School operating purposes” means the purposes included in the operation costs of the district as prescribed in sections 7 and 18 and purposes authorized under section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211.

(p) “School operating taxes” means local ad valorem property taxes levied under section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, and retained for school operating purposes.

(q) “Tax increment financing acts” means 1975 PA 197, MCL 125.1651 to 125.1681, the tax increment finance authority act, 1980 PA 450, MCL 125.1801 to 125.1830, the local development financing act, 1986 PA 281, MCL 125.2151 to 125.2174, the brownfield redevelopment financing act, 1996 PA 381, MCL 125.2651 to 125.2672, or the corridor improvement authority act, 2005 PA 280, MCL 125.2871 to 125.2899.

(r) “Taxable value per membership pupil” means taxable value, as certified by the county treasurer and reported to the department, for the calendar year ending in the current state fiscal year divided by the district’s membership excluding special education pupils for the school year ending in the current state fiscal year.

Sec. 20d. In making the final determination required under former section 20a of a district’s combined state and local revenue per membership pupil in 1993-94 and in making calculations under section 20 for 2015-2016, the department and the department of treasury shall comply with all of the following:

(a) For a district that had combined state and local revenue per membership pupil in the 1994-95 state fiscal year of $6,500.00 or more and served as a fiscal agent for a state board designated area vocational education center in the 1993‑94 school year, total state school aid received by or paid on behalf of the district pursuant to this act in 1993-94 shall exclude payments made under former section 146 and under section 147 on behalf of the district’s employees who provided direct services to the area vocational education center. Not later than June 30, 1996, the department shall make an adjustment under this subdivision to the district’s combined state and local revenue per membership pupil in the 1994-95 state fiscal year and the department of treasury shall make a final certification of the number of mills that may be levied by the district under section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, as a result of the adjustment under this subdivision.

(b) If a district had an adjustment made to its 1993-94 total state school aid that excluded payments made under former section 146 and under section 147 on behalf of the district’s employees who provided direct services for intermediate district center programs operated by the district under article 5, if nonresident pupils attending the center programs were included in the district’s membership for purposes of calculating the combined state and local revenue per membership pupil for 1993-94, and if there is a signed agreement by all constituent districts of the intermediate district that an adjustment under this subdivision shall be made, the foundation allowances for 1995-96 and 1996-97 of all districts that had pupils attending the intermediate district center program operated by the district that had the adjustment shall be calculated as if their combined state and local revenue per membership pupil for 1993-94 included resident pupils attending the center program and excluded nonresident pupils attending the center program.

Sec. 20f. (1) From the funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $18,000,000.00 for 2015-2016 for payments to eligible districts under this section.

(2) The funding under this subsection is from the allocation under subsection (1). A district is eligible for funding under this subsection if the district received a payment under this section as it was in effect for 2013-2014. A district was eligible for funding in 2013-2014 if the sum of the following was less than $5.00:

(a) The increase in the district’s foundation allowance or per-pupil payment as calculated under section 20 from 2012‑2013 to 2013-2014.

(b) The district’s equity payment per membership pupil under section 22c for 2013-2014.

(c) The quotient of the district’s allocation under section 147a for 2012-2013 divided by the district’s membership pupils for 2012-2013 minus the quotient of the district’s allocation under section 147a for 2013-2014 divided by the district’s membership pupils for 2013-2014.

(3) The amount allocated to each eligible district under subsection (2) is an amount per membership pupil equal to the amount per membership pupil the district received under this section in 2013-2014.

(4) The funding under this subsection is from the allocation under subsection (1). A district is eligible for funding under this subsection for 2015-2016 if the sum of the following is less than $25.00:

(a) The increase in the district’s foundation allowance or per-pupil payment as calculated under section 20 from 2014‑2015 to 2015-2016.

(b) The decrease in the district’s best practices per-pupil funding under section 22f from 2014-2015 to 2015-2016.

(d) The quotient of the district’s allocation under section 31a for 2015-2016 divided by the district’s membership pupils for 2015-2016 minus the quotient of the district’s allocation under section 31a for 2014-2015 divided by the district’s membership pupils for 2014-2015.

(5) The amount allocated to each eligible district under subsection (4) is an amount per membership pupil equal to $25.00 minus the sum of the following:

(a) The increase in the district’s foundation allowance or per-pupil payment as calculated under section 20 from 2014‑2015 to 2015-2016.

(b) The decrease in the district’s best practices per-pupil funding under section 22f from 2014-2015 to 2015-2016.

(6) If the allocation under subsection (1) is insufficient to fully fund payments under subsections (3) and (5) as otherwise calculated under this section, the department shall prorate payments under this section on an equal per-pupil basis.

Sec. 20g. (1) From the money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $2,200,000.00 for 2015-2016 for grants to eligible districts that first received payments under this section in 2013-2014 for transition costs related to the enrollment of pupils who were previously enrolled in a district that was dissolved under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, allocated as provided under subsection (3). Payments under this section shall continue for a total of 4 fiscal years following the dissolution of a district, after which the payments shall cease.

(2) A receiving school district, as that term is defined in section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, is an eligible district under this section.

(3) The amount allocated to each eligible district under this section is an amount equal to the product of the number of membership pupils enrolled in the eligible district who were previously enrolled in the dissolved school district in the school year immediately preceding the dissolution, or who reside in the geographic area of the dissolved school district and are entering kindergarten, times 10.0% of the lesser of the foundation allowance of the eligible district as calculated under section 20 or the basic foundation allowance under section 20(1).

(4) As used in this section, “dissolved school district” means a school district that has been declared dissolved under section 12 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.12.

Sec. 21f. (1) A pupil enrolled in a district in any of grades 6 to 12 is eligible to enroll in an online course as provided for in this section.

(2) With the consent of the pupil’s parent or legal guardian, a district shall enroll an eligible pupil in up to 2 online courses as requested by the pupil during an academic term, semester, or trimester. Unless the pupil is newly enrolled in the pupil’s primary district, the request for online course enrollment must be made in the academic term, semester, trimester, or summer preceding the enrollment. A district may not establish additional requirements that would prohibit a pupil from taking an online course. If a pupil has demonstrated previous success with online courses and the school leadership and the pupil’s parent or legal guardian determine that it is in the best interest of the pupil, a pupil may be enrolled in more than 2 online courses in a specific academic term, semester, or trimester. Consent of the pupil’s parent or legal guardian is not required if the pupil is at least age 18 or is an emancipated minor.

(3) An eligible pupil may enroll in an online course published in the pupil’s primary district’s catalog of online courses described in subsection (7)(a) or the statewide catalog of online courses maintained by the Michigan Virtual University pursuant to section 98.

(4) A providing district or community college shall determine whether or not it has capacity to accept applications for enrollment from nonresident applicants in online courses and may use that limit as the reason for refusal to enroll an applicant. If the number of nonresident applicants eligible for acceptance in an online course does not exceed the capacity of the providing district or community college to provide the online course, the providing district or community college shall accept for enrollment all of the nonresident applicants eligible for acceptance. If the number of nonresident applicants exceeds the providing district’s or community college’s capacity to provide the online course, the providing district or community college shall use a random draw system, subject to the need to abide by state and federal antidiscrimination laws and court orders.

(5) A pupil’s primary district may deny the pupil enrollment in an online course if any of the following apply, as determined by the district:

(a) The pupil has previously gained the credits provided from the completion of the online course.

(b) The online course is not capable of generating academic credit.

(d) The pupil does not possess the prerequisite knowledge and skills to be successful in the online course or has demonstrated failure in previous online coursework in the same subject.

(e) The online course is of insufficient quality or rigor. A district that denies a pupil enrollment for this reason shall make a reasonable effort to assist the pupil to find an alternative course in the same or a similar subject that is of acceptable rigor and quality.

(f) The cost of the online course exceeds the amount identified in subsection (10), unless the pupil’s parent or legal guardian agrees to pay the cost that exceeds this amount.

(g) The online course enrollment request does not occur within the same timelines established by the primary district for enrollment and schedule changes for regular courses.

(6) If a pupil is denied enrollment in an online course by the pupil’s primary district, the pupil may appeal the denial by submitting a letter to the superintendent of the intermediate district in which the pupil’s primary district is located. The letter of appeal shall include the reason provided by the primary district for not enrolling the pupil and the reason why the pupil is claiming that the enrollment should be approved. The intermediate district superintendent or designee shall respond to the appeal within 5 days after it is received. If the intermediate district superintendent or designee determines that the denial of enrollment does not meet 1 or more of the reasons specified in subsection (5), the primary district shall allow the pupil to enroll in the online course.

(7) To provide an online course under this section, the providing district or intermediate district shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide the Michigan Virtual University with the course syllabus in a form and method prescribed by the Michigan Virtual University for inclusion in a statewide online course catalog. The district or intermediate district shall also provide on its publicly accessible website a link to the course syllabi for all of the online courses offered by the district or intermediate district and a link to the statewide catalog of online courses maintained by the Michigan Virtual University.

(b) Assign to each pupil a teacher of record and provide the primary district with the personal identification code for the teacher of record.

(c) Offer the online course on an open entry and exit method, or aligned to a semester, trimester, or accelerated academic term format.

(d) Not later than October 1, 2015, provide the Michigan Virtual University with the number of enrollments in each online course the district or intermediate district provided to pupils pursuant to this section in the immediately preceding school year, and the number of enrollments in which the pupil earned 60% or more of the total course points for each online course.

(8) To provide an online course under this section, a community college shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide the Michigan Virtual University with the course syllabus in a form and method prescribed by the Michigan Virtual University for inclusion in a statewide online course catalog.

(b) Offer the online course on an open entry and exit method, or aligned to a semester, trimester, or accelerated academic term format.

(d) Beginning with October 1, 2016, and by October 1 of each year thereafter, provide the Michigan Virtual University with the number of enrollments in each online course the community college provided to pupils pursuant to this section in the immediately preceding school year, and the number of enrollments in which the pupil earned 60% or more of the total course points for each online course.

(e) Be taught by an instructor employed by or contracted through the community college.

(9) For any online course a pupil enrolls in under this section, the pupil’s primary district must assign to the pupil a mentor to monitor the pupil’s progress during the online course and shall supply the providing district with the mentor’s contact information.

(10) For a pupil enrolled in 1 or more online courses published in the pupil’s primary district’s catalog of online courses under subsection (7) or in the statewide catalog of online courses maintained by the Michigan Virtual University, the primary district shall use foundation allowance or per-pupil funds calculated under section 20 to pay for the expenses associated with the online course or courses. A district is not required to pay toward the cost of an online course an amount that exceeds 6.67% of the minimum foundation allowance for the current fiscal year as calculated under section 20.

(11) An online learning pupil shall have the same rights and access to technology in his or her primary district’s school facilities as all other pupils enrolled in the pupil’s primary district.

(12) If a pupil successfully completes an online course, as determined by the pupil’s primary district, the pupil’s primary district shall grant appropriate academic credit for completion of the course and shall count that credit toward completion of graduation and subject area requirements. A pupil’s school record and transcript shall identify the online course title as it appears in the online course syllabus.

(13) The enrollment of a pupil in 1 or more online courses shall not result in a pupil being counted as more than 1.0 full-time equivalent pupils under this article.

(14) The portion of the full-time equated pupil membership for which a pupil is enrolled in 1 or more online courses under this section shall not be transferred under the pupil transfer process under section 25e.

(15) As used in this section:

(a) “Mentor” means a professional employee of the primary district who monitors the pupil’s progress, ensures the pupil has access to needed technology, is available for assistance, and ensures access to the teacher of record. A mentor may also serve as the teacher of record if the mentor meets the requirements under subdivision (g).

(b) “Online course” means a course of study that is capable of generating a credit or a grade, that is provided in an interactive Internet-connected learning environment, in which pupils are separated from their teachers by time or location, or both, and, if the course is provided by a district or intermediate district, in which a teacher who holds a valid Michigan teaching certificate that qualifies the teacher to teach the course is responsible for providing instruction, determining appropriate instructional methods for each pupil, diagnosing learning needs, assessing pupil learning, prescribing intervention strategies, reporting outcomes, and evaluating the effects of instruction and support strategies.

(i) The state academic standards addressed in an online course.

(ii) The online course content outline.

(iii) The online course required assessments.

(iv) The online course prerequisites.

(v) Expectations for actual instructor contact time with the online learning pupil and other pupil-to-instructor communications.

(vi) Academic support available to the online learning pupil.

(vii) The online course learning outcomes and objectives.

(viii) The name of the institution or organization providing the online content.

(ix) The name of the institution or organization providing the online instructor.

(x) The course titles assigned by the district or intermediate district and the course titles and course codes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) school codes for the exchange of data (SCED).

(xi) The number of eligible nonresident pupils that will be accepted by the district or intermediate district in the online course.

(xii) The results of the online course quality review using the guidelines and model review process published by the Michigan Virtual University.

(d) “Online learning pupil” means a pupil enrolled in 1 or more online courses.

(e) “Primary district” means the pupil’s district of residence.

(f) “Providing district” means the district, intermediate district, or community college that the primary district pays to provide the online course.

(g) “Teacher of record” means a teacher who holds a valid Michigan teaching certificate; who, if applicable, is endorsed in the subject area and grade of the online course; and is responsible for providing instruction, determining instructional methods for each pupil, diagnosing learning needs, assessing pupil learning, prescribing intervention strategies, reporting outcomes, and evaluating the effects of instruction and support strategies.

Sec. 22a. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $5,377,000,000.00 for 2014-2015 and an amount not to exceed $5,281,700,000.00 for 2015-2016 for payments to districts and qualifying public school academies to guarantee each district and qualifying public school academy an amount equal to its 1994-95 total state and local per pupil revenue for school operating purposes under section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963. Pursuant to section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, this guarantee does not apply to a district in a year in which the district levies a millage rate for school district operating purposes less than it levied in 1994. However, subsection (2) applies to calculating the payments under this section. Funds allocated under this section that are not expended in the state fiscal year for which they were allocated, as determined by the department, may be used to supplement the allocations under sections 22b and 51c in order to fully fund those calculated allocations for the same fiscal year.

(2) To ensure that a district receives an amount equal to the district’s 1994-95 total state and local per pupil revenue for school operating purposes, there is allocated to each district a state portion of the district’s 1994-95 foundation allowance in an amount calculated as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the state portion of a district’s 1994-95 foundation allowance is an amount equal to the district’s 1994-95 foundation allowance or $6,500.00, whichever is less, minus the difference between the sum of the product of the taxable value per membership pupil of all property in the district that is nonexempt property times the district’s certified mills and, for a district with certified mills exceeding 12, the product of the taxable value per membership pupil of property in the district that is commercial personal property times the certified mills minus 12 mills and the quotient of the ad valorem property tax revenue of the district captured under tax increment financing acts divided by the district’s membership. For a district that has a millage reduction required under section 31 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, the state portion of the district’s foundation allowance shall be calculated as if that reduction did not occur. For a receiving district, if school operating taxes are to be levied on behalf of a dissolved district that has been attached in whole or in part to the receiving district to satisfy debt obligations of the dissolved district under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, taxable value per membership pupil of all property in the receiving district that is nonexempt property and taxable value per membership pupil of property in the receiving district that is commercial personal property do not include property within the geographic area of the dissolved district; ad valorem property tax revenue of the receiving district captured under tax increment financing acts does not include ad valorem property tax revenue captured within the geographic boundaries of the dissolved district under tax increment financing acts; and certified mills do not include the certified mills of the dissolved district.

(b) For a district that had a 1994-95 foundation allowance greater than $6,500.00, the state payment under this subsection shall be the sum of the amount calculated under subdivision (a) plus the amount calculated under this subdivision. The amount calculated under this subdivision shall be equal to the difference between the district’s 1994-95 foundation allowance minus $6,500.00 and the current year hold harmless school operating taxes per pupil. If the result of the calculation under subdivision (a) is negative, the negative amount shall be an offset against any state payment calculated under this subdivision. If the result of a calculation under this subdivision is negative, there shall not be a state payment or a deduction under this subdivision. The taxable values per membership pupil used in the calculations under this subdivision are as adjusted by ad valorem property tax revenue captured under tax increment financing acts divided by the district’s membership. For a receiving district, if school operating taxes are to be levied on behalf of a dissolved district that has been attached in whole or in part to the receiving district to satisfy debt obligations of the dissolved district under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, ad valorem property tax revenue captured under tax increment financing acts do not include ad valorem property tax revenue captured within the geographic boundaries of the dissolved district under tax increment financing acts.

(3) Beginning in 2003-2004, for pupils in membership in a qualifying public school academy, there is allocated under this section to the authorizing body that is the fiscal agent for the qualifying public school academy for forwarding to the qualifying public school academy an amount equal to the 1994-95 per pupil payment to the qualifying public school academy under section 20.

(4) A district or qualifying public school academy may use funds allocated under this section in conjunction with any federal funds for which the district or qualifying public school academy otherwise would be eligible.

(5) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, for a district that is formed or reconfigured after June 1, 2000 by consolidation of 2 or more districts or by annexation, the resulting district’s 1994-95 foundation allowance under this section beginning after the effective date of the consolidation or annexation shall be the average of the 1994-95 foundation allowances of each of the original or affected districts, calculated as provided in this section, weighted as to the percentage of pupils in total membership in the resulting district in the state fiscal year in which the consolidation takes place who reside in the geographic area of each of the original districts. If an affected district’s 1994-95 foundation allowance is less than the 1994-95 basic foundation allowance, the amount of that district’s 1994-95 foundation allowance shall be considered for the purpose of calculations under this subsection to be equal to the amount of the 1994-95 basic foundation allowance. This subsection does not apply to a receiving district unless there is a subsequent consolidation or annexation that affects the district.

(6) Payments under this section are subject to section 25f.

(7) As used in this section:

(a) “1994-95 foundation allowance” means a district’s 1994-95 foundation allowance calculated and certified by the department of treasury or the superintendent under former section 20a as enacted in 1993 PA 336 and as amended by 1994 PA 283.

(b) “Certified mills” means the lesser of 18 mills or the number of mills of school operating taxes levied by the district in 1993-94.

(d) “Current year hold harmless school operating taxes per pupil” means the per pupil revenue generated by multiplying a district’s 1994-95 hold harmless millage by the district’s current year taxable value per membership pupil. For a receiving district, if school operating taxes are to be levied on behalf of a dissolved district that has been attached in whole or in part to the receiving district to satisfy debt obligations of the dissolved district under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, taxable value per membership pupil does not include the taxable value of property within the geographic area of the dissolved district.

(f) “Hold harmless millage” means, for a district with a 1994-95 foundation allowance greater than $6,500.00, the number of mills by which the exemption from the levy of school operating taxes on a homestead, qualified agricultural property, qualified forest property, supportive housing property, industrial personal property, commercial personal property, and property occupied by a public school academy could be reduced as provided in section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, and the number of mills of school operating taxes that could be levied on all property as provided in section 1211(2) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, as certified by the department of treasury for the 1994 tax year. For a receiving district, if school operating taxes are to be levied on behalf of a dissolved district that has been attached in whole or in part to the receiving district to satisfy debt obligations of the dissolved district under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, school operating taxes do not include school operating taxes levied within the geographic area of the dissolved district.

(g) “Homestead”, “qualified agricultural property”, “qualified forest property”, “supportive housing property”, “industrial personal property”, and “commercial personal property” mean those terms as defined in section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211.

(h) “Membership” means the definition of that term under section 6 as in effect for the particular fiscal year for which a particular calculation is made.

(i) “Nonexempt property” means property that is not a principal residence, qualified agricultural property, qualified forest property, supportive housing property, industrial personal property, commercial personal property, or property occupied by a public school academy.

(j) “Qualifying public school academy” means a public school academy that was in operation in the 1994-95 school year and is in operation in the current state fiscal year.

(k) “Receiving district” means a district to which all or part of the territory of a dissolved district is attached under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12.

(l) “School operating taxes” means local ad valorem property taxes levied under section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, and retained for school operating purposes as defined in section 20.

(m) “Tax increment financing acts” means 1975 PA 197, MCL 125.1651 to 125.1681, the tax increment finance authority act, 1980 PA 450, MCL 125.1801 to 125.1830, the local development financing act, 1986 PA 281, MCL 125.2151 to 125.2174, the brownfield redevelopment financing act, 1996 PA 381, MCL 125.2651 to 125.2672, or the corridor improvement authority act, 2005 PA 280, MCL 125.2871 to 125.2899.

(n) “Taxable value per membership pupil” means each of the following divided by the district’s membership:

(i) For the number of mills by which the exemption from the levy of school operating taxes on a homestead, qualified agricultural property, qualified forest property, supportive housing property, industrial personal property, commercial personal property, and property occupied by a public school academy may be reduced as provided in section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, the taxable value of homestead, qualified agricultural property, qualified forest property, supportive housing property, industrial personal property, commercial personal property, and property occupied by a public school academy for the calendar year ending in the current state fiscal year. For a receiving district, if school operating taxes are to be levied on behalf of a dissolved district that has been attached in whole or in part to the receiving district to satisfy debt obligations of the dissolved district under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, mills do not include mills within the geographic area of the dissolved district.

(ii) For the number of mills of school operating taxes that may be levied on all property as provided in section 1211(2) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, the taxable value of all property for the calendar year ending in the current state fiscal year. For a receiving district, if school operating taxes are to be levied on behalf of a dissolved district that has been attached in whole or in part to the receiving district to satisfy debt obligations of the dissolved district under section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, school operating taxes do not include school operating taxes levied within the geographic area of the dissolved district.

Sec. 22b. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $3,440,000,000.00 for 2014-2015 and an amount not to exceed $3,728,000,000.00 for 2015-2016 for discretionary nonmandated payments to districts under this section. Funds allocated under this section that are not expended in the state fiscal year for which they were allocated, as determined by the department, may be used to supplement the allocations under sections 22a and 51c in order to fully fund those calculated allocations for the same fiscal year.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) and section 296, the allocation to a district under this section shall be an amount equal to the sum of the amounts calculated under sections 20, 51a(2), 51a(3), and 51a(11), minus the sum of the allocations to the district under sections 22a and 51c.

(3) In order to receive an allocation under subsection (1), each district shall do all of the following:

(a) Comply with section 1280b of the revised school code, MCL 380.1280b.

(b) Comply with sections 1278a and 1278b of the revised school code, MCL 380.1278a and 380.1278b.

(c) Furnish data and other information required by state and federal law to the center and the department in the form and manner specified by the center or the department, as applicable.

(d) Comply with section 1230g of the revised school code, MCL 380.1230g.

(e) Comply with section 21f.

(4) Districts are encouraged to use funds allocated under this section for the purchase and support of payroll, human resources, and other business function software that is compatible with that of the intermediate district in which the district is located and with other districts located within that intermediate district.

(5) From the allocation in subsection (1), the department shall pay up to $1,000,000.00 in litigation costs incurred by this state related to commercial or industrial property tax appeals, including, but not limited to, appeals of classification, that impact revenues dedicated to the state school aid fund.

(6) From the allocation in subsection (1), the department shall pay up to $1,000,000.00 in litigation costs incurred by this state associated with lawsuits filed by 1 or more districts or intermediate districts against this state. If the allocation under this section is insufficient to fully fund all payments required under this section, the payments under this subsection shall be made in full before any proration of remaining payments under this section.

(7) It is the intent of the legislature that all constitutional obligations of this state have been fully funded under sections 22a, 31d, 51a, 51c, and 152a. If a claim is made by an entity receiving funds under this article that challenges the legislative determination of the adequacy of this funding or alleges that there exists an unfunded constitutional requirement, the state budget director may escrow or allocate from the discretionary funds for nonmandated payments under this section the amount as may be necessary to satisfy the claim before making any payments to districts under subsection (2). If funds are escrowed, the escrowed funds are a work project appropriation and the funds are carried forward into the following fiscal year. The purpose of the work project is to provide for any payments that may be awarded to districts as a result of litigation. The work project shall be completed upon resolution of the litigation.

(8) If the local claims review board or a court of competent jurisdiction makes a final determination that this state is in violation of section 29 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963 regarding state payments to districts, the state budget director shall use work project funds under subsection (7) or allocate from the discretionary funds for nonmandated payments under this section the amount as may be necessary to satisfy the amount owed to districts before making any payments to districts under subsection (2).

(9) If a claim is made in court that challenges the legislative determination of the adequacy of funding for this state’s constitutional obligations or alleges that there exists an unfunded constitutional requirement, any interested party may seek an expedited review of the claim by the local claims review board. If the claim exceeds $10,000,000.00, this state may remove the action to the court of appeals, and the court of appeals shall have and shall exercise jurisdiction over the claim.

(10) If payments resulting from a final determination by the local claims review board or a court of competent jurisdiction that there has been a violation of section 29 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963 exceed the amount allocated for discretionary nonmandated payments under this section, the legislature shall provide for adequate funding for this state’s constitutional obligations at its next legislative session.

(11) If a lawsuit challenging payments made to districts related to costs reimbursed by federal title XIX Medicaid funds is filed against this state, then, for the purpose of addressing potential liability under such a lawsuit, the state budget director may place funds allocated under this section in escrow or allocate money from the funds otherwise allocated under this section, up to a maximum of 50% of the amount allocated in subsection (1). If funds are placed in escrow under this subsection, those funds are a work project appropriation and the funds are carried forward into the following fiscal year. The purpose of the work project is to provide for any payments that may be awarded to districts as a result of the litigation. The work project shall be completed upon resolution of the litigation. In addition, this state reserves the right to terminate future federal title XIX Medicaid reimbursement payments to districts if the amount or allocation of reimbursed funds is challenged in the lawsuit. As used in this subsection, “title XIX” means title XIX of the social security act, 42 USC 1396 to 1396v.

(12) Payments under this section are subject to section 25g.

Sec. 22d. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, an amount not to exceed $5,000,000.00 is allocated for 2015-2016 for supplemental payments to rural districts under this section.

(2) From the allocation under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $957,300.00 for payments under this subsection to districts that meet all of the following:

(a) Operates grades K to 12.

(b) Has fewer than 250 pupils in membership.

(i) Is located in the Upper Peninsula at least 30 miles from any other public school building.

(ii) Is located on an island that is not accessible by bridge.

(3) The amount of the additional funding to each eligible district under subsection (2) shall be determined under a spending plan developed as provided in this subsection and approved by the superintendent of public instruction. The spending plan shall be developed cooperatively by the intermediate superintendents of each intermediate district in which an eligible district is located. The intermediate superintendents shall review the financial situation of each eligible district, determine the minimum essential financial needs of each eligible district, and develop and agree on a spending plan that distributes the available funding under subsection (2) to the eligible districts based on those financial needs. The intermediate superintendents shall submit the spending plan to the superintendent of public instruction for approval. Upon approval by the superintendent of public instruction, the amounts specified for each eligible district under the spending plan are allocated under subsection (2) and shall be paid to the eligible districts in the same manner as payments under section 22b.

(4) Subject to subsection (6), from the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $4,042,700.00 for payments under this subsection to districts that have 7.3 or fewer pupils per square mile as determined by the department.

(5) The funds allocated under subsection (4) shall be allocated on an equal per-pupil basis.

(6) A district receiving funds allocated under subsection (2) is not eligible for funding allocated under subsection (4).

Sec. 22g. (1) From the funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 only an amount not to exceed $5,000,000.00 for competitive assistance grants to districts and intermediate districts.

(2) Funds received under this section may be used for reimbursement of transition costs associated with the consolidation or annexation of districts or intermediate districts. Grant funding shall be available for consolidations or annexations that occur on or after June 1, 2015. Districts may spend funds allocated under this section over 3 fiscal years.

Sec. 22i. (1) From the funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $23,500,000.00 for the technology readiness infrastructure grant program for districts or intermediate districts on behalf of their constituent districts. Funds received under this section shall be used for the development or improvement of districts’ technology hard infrastructure, the shared services consolidation of technology and data and for the coordination and strategic purchasing of hardware and software in preparation for the delivery of assessments through online models. This allocation shall not be made after 2015-2016.

(2) Subject to the requirements of this section, the department shall develop a competitive application process and method of grant distribution to eligible districts and intermediate districts that demonstrate need for grants under subsection (1). The department may consult with the department of technology, management, and budget during the grant process and grant distribution. Grants to districts shall not exceed $2,000,000.00 per district. A grant to an intermediate district on behalf of its constituent districts shall not exceed $2,000,000.00 per constituent district. To receive a grant under subsection (1), an intermediate district shall demonstrate that a grant awarded to the intermediate district on behalf of its constituent districts would provide savings compared to providing grants to individual districts. The department shall give additional consideration to applicants that propose external partnerships and articulate plans for sustainability beyond the grant funding.

(3) From the money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $11,250,000.00 for district participation incentives as described in this subsection. Grants awarded under this subsection shall be distributed on an equal per pupil basis, not to exceed $10.00 per pupil. To receive funding under this subsection, a district must meet all of the following:

(a) The district agrees to limit the spending of participation incentive grants to technology readiness efforts, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Online or digital assessment, including universal diagnostic screening tools.

(ii) In-building wireless connectivity.

(iii) Network services, such as additional bandwidth and content filtering.

(iv) Computer or device purchasing.

(v) Technology readiness for instruction and data collaborations that support online assessment readiness.

(b) The district agrees to be represented in the program known as “TRIG sponsored statewide 470 bids for E-rate funding” and to consider using the awarded vendors. However, the district is not obligated to purchase from that bid or those vendors.

(d) The district ensures that its intermediate district also agrees to requirements of subdivisions (a) to (c) for the district to receive participation funds.

(4) From the money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $9,250,000.00 for device purchasing incentives.

(5) From the money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $2,200,000.00 for data systems integration.

(6) From the money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $300,000.00 for E-rate activities.

(7) From the money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 for administration of the technology readiness infrastructure grant program.

(8) Not later than January 1, 2017, the department shall consolidate and prepare a summary from the total project reports from each grantee under this section to include measurable outcomes based on grant objectives. The report shall include a summary of compiled data from each grantee to provide a means to evaluate the effectiveness of the grant project. The department shall submit the report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on state school aid and on the department budget and to the house and senate fiscal agencies.

(9) Any unexpended funds for 2015-2016 shall lapse to the state school aid fund.

(10) From the funds appropriated under this article, the department shall not contract for or pay for a contract that creates informational technology infrastructure that is owned or operated by this state, a local unit of government, a community college or state public university, or a district or intermediate district, and is operated in a manner that provides informational technology services to public entities in competition with businesses located in this state.

(11) As used in this section:

(a) “Hard infrastructure” means technology hardware necessary to move to an online learning and testing environment, including, but not limited to, fiber, servers, wireless computing networks, and necessary peripherals.

(b) “Shared services consolidation of technology and data” means projects that support the move to a collaborative multiple organizational approach to managing hardware, software, peripherals, and data integration and display of appropriate information for parents, teachers, administrators, and this state.

Sec. 23a. (1) A dropout recovery program operated by a district qualifies for the special membership counting provisions of section 6(4)(dd) and the hours and day of pupil instruction exemption under section 101(12) if the dropout recovery program meets all of the following:

(a) Enrolls only eligible pupils.

(b) Provides an advocate. An advocate may serve in that role for more than 1 pupil but no more than 50 pupils. An advocate may be employed by the district or may be provided by an education management organization that is partnering with the district. Before an individual is assigned to be an advocate for a pupil in the dropout recovery program, the district shall comply with sections 1230 and 1230a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1230 and 380.1230a, with respect to that individual.

(d) Monitors the pupil’s progress against the written learning plan.

(e) Requires each pupil to make satisfactory monthly progress, as defined by the district under subsection (2).

(f) Reports the pupil’s progress results to the partner district at least monthly.

(g) The program may be operated on or off a district school campus, but may be operated using distance learning online only if the program provides a computer and Internet access for each eligible pupil participating in the program.

(h) Is operated throughout the entire calendar year.

(i) If the district partners with an education management organization for the program, the education management organization has a dropout recovery program partnership relationship with at least 1 other district.

(2) A district operating a dropout recovery program under this section shall adopt a definition of satisfactory monthly progress that is consistent with the definition of that term under subsection (3).

(3) As used in this section:

(a) “Advocate” means an adult available to meet in person with assigned pupils, as needed, to conduct social interventions, to proctor final examinations, and to provide academic and social support to pupils enrolled in the district’s dropout recovery program.

(b) “Education management organization” means a private provider that operates 1 or more other dropout recovery programs that meet the requirements of this section in partnership with 1 or more districts.

(c) “Eligible pupil” means a pupil who has been expelled from school under the mandatory expulsion provisions in section 1311 or 1311a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1311 and 380.1311a, a pupil who has been suspended or expelled from school under a local policy, a pupil who is referred by a court, a pupil who is pregnant or is a parent, a pupil who was previously a dropout, or a pupil who is determined by the district to be at risk of dropping out.

(d) “Satisfactory monthly progress” means an amount of progress that is measurable on a monthly basis and that, if continued for a full 12 months, would result in the same amount of academic credit being awarded to the pupil as would be awarded to a general education pupil completing a full school year. Satisfactory monthly progress may include a lesser required amount of progress for the first 2 months a pupil participates in the program.

(e) “Written learning plan” means a written plan developed in conjunction with the advocate that includes the plan start and end dates, courses to be taken, credit to be earned for each course, teacher of record for each course, and advocate name and contact information.

Sec. 24. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $8,000,000.00 for payments to the educating district or intermediate district for educating pupils assigned by a court or the department of health and human services to reside in or to attend a juvenile detention facility or child caring institution licensed by the department of health and human services and approved by the department to provide an on-grounds education program. The amount of the payment under this section to a district or intermediate district shall be calculated as prescribed under subsection (2).

(2) The total amount allocated under this section shall be allocated by paying to the educating district or intermediate district an amount equal to the lesser of the district’s or intermediate district’s added cost or the department’s approved per-pupil allocation for the district or intermediate district. For the purposes of this subsection:

(a) “Added cost” means 100% of the added cost each fiscal year for educating all pupils assigned by a court or the department of health and human services to reside in or to attend a juvenile detention facility or child caring institution licensed by the department of health and human services or the department of licensing and regulatory affairs and approved by the department to provide an on-grounds education program. Added cost shall be computed by deducting all other revenue received under this article for pupils described in this section from total costs, as approved by the department, in whole or in part, for educating those pupils in the on-grounds education program or in a program approved by the department that is located on property adjacent to a juvenile detention facility or child caring institution. Costs reimbursed by federal funds are not included.

(b) “Department’s approved per-pupil allocation” for a district or intermediate district shall be determined by dividing the total amount allocated under this section for a fiscal year by the full-time equated membership total for all pupils approved by the department to be funded under this section for that fiscal year for the district or intermediate district.

(3) A district or intermediate district educating pupils described in this section at a residential child caring institution may operate, and receive funding under this section for, a department-approved on-grounds educational program for those pupils that is longer than 181 days, but not longer than 233 days, if the child caring institution was licensed as a child caring institution and offered in 1991-92 an on-grounds educational program that was longer than 181 days but not longer than 233 days and that was operated by a district or intermediate district.

(4) Special education pupils funded under section 53a shall not be funded under this section.

Sec. 24a. From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $2,189,800.00 for 2015-2016 for payments to intermediate districts for pupils who are placed in juvenile justice service facilities operated by the department of health and human services. Each intermediate district shall receive an amount equal to the state share of those costs that are clearly and directly attributable to the educational programs for pupils placed in facilities described in this section that are located within the intermediate district’s boundaries. The intermediate districts receiving payments under this section shall cooperate with the department of health and human services to ensure that all funding allocated under this section is utilized by the intermediate district and department of health and human services for educational programs for pupils described in this section. Pupils described in this section are not eligible to be funded under section 24. However, a program responsibility or other fiscal responsibility associated with these pupils shall not be transferred from the department of health and human services to a district or intermediate district unless the district or intermediate district consents to the transfer.

Sec. 24c. From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,497,400.00 for 2015-2016 for payments to districts for pupils who are enrolled in a nationally administered community-based education and youth mentoring program, known as the youth challenge program, that is administered by the department of military and veterans affairs. Both of the following apply to a district receiving payments under this section:

(a) The district shall contract with the department of military and veterans affairs to ensure that all funding allocated under this section is utilized by the district and the department of military and veterans affairs for the youth challenge program.

(b) The district may retain for its administrative expenses an amount not to exceed 3% of the amount of the payment the district receives under this section.

Sec. 25e. (1) The pupil membership transfer application and pupil transfer process administered by the center under this section shall be used for processing pupil transfers.

(2) If a pupil counted in membership for the pupil membership count day transfers from a district or intermediate district to enroll in another district or intermediate district after the pupil membership count day and before the supplemental count day and, due to the pupil’s enrollment and attendance status as of the pupil membership count day, the pupil was not counted in membership in the educating district or intermediate district, the educating district or intermediate district may report the enrollment and attendance information to the center through the pupil transfer process within 30 days after the transfer or within 30 days after the pupil membership count certification date, whichever is later. Pupil transfers may be submitted no earlier than the first day after the certification deadline for the pupil membership count day and before the supplemental count day. Upon receipt of the transfer information under this subsection indicating that a pupil has enrolled and is in attendance in an educating district or intermediate district as described in this subsection, the pupil transfer process shall do the following:

(a) Notify the district in which the pupil was previously enrolled.

(b) Notify both the pupil auditing staff of the intermediate district in which the educating district is located and the pupil auditing staff of the intermediate district in which the district that previously enrolled the pupil is located. The pupil auditing staff shall investigate a representative sample based on required audit sample sizes in the pupil auditing manual and may deny the pupil membership transfer.

(3) The department shall do all of the following:

(a) Adjust the membership calculation for each district or intermediate district in which the pupil was previously counted in membership or that previously received an adjustment in its membership calculation under this section due to a change in the pupil’s enrollment and attendance so that the district’s or intermediate district’s membership is prorated to allow the district or intermediate district to receive for each school day, as determined by the financial calendar furnished by the center, in which the pupil was enrolled and in attendance in the district or intermediate district an amount equal to 1/105 of a full-time equated membership claimed in the fall pupil membership count. The district or intermediate district shall receive a prorated foundation allowance in an amount equal to the product of the adjustment under this subdivision for the district or intermediate district multiplied by the foundation allowance or per-pupil payment as calculated under section 20 for the district or intermediate district. The foundation allowance or per-pupil payment shall be adjusted by the pupil’s full-time equated status as affected by the membership definition under section 6(4).

(b) Adjust the membership calculation for the educating district or intermediate district in which the pupil is enrolled and is in attendance so that the district’s or intermediate district’s membership is increased to allow the district or intermediate district to receive an amount equal to the difference between the full-time equated membership claimed in the fall pupil membership count and the sum of the adjustments calculated under subdivision (a) for each district or intermediate district in which the pupil was previously enrolled and in attendance. The educating district or intermediate district shall receive a prorated foundation allowance in an amount equal to the product of the adjustment under this subdivision for the educating district or intermediate district multiplied by the foundation allowance or per-pupil payment as calculated under section 20 for the educating district or intermediate district. The foundation allowance or per-pupil payment shall be adjusted by the pupil’s full-time equated status as affected by the membership definition under section 6(4).

(4) The changes in calculation of state school aid required under subsection (3) shall take effect as of the date that the pupil becomes enrolled and in attendance in the educating district or intermediate district, and the department shall base all subsequent payments under this article for the fiscal year to the affected districts or intermediate districts on this recalculation of state school aid.

(5) If a pupil enrolls in an educating district or intermediate district as described in subsection (2), the district or intermediate district in which the pupil is counted in membership or another educating district or intermediate district that received an adjustment in its membership calculation under subsection (3), if any, and the educating district or intermediate district shall provide to the center and the department all information they require to comply with this section.

(6) The portion of the full-time equated pupil membership for which a pupil is enrolled in 1 or more online courses under section 21f shall not be counted or transferred under the pupil transfer process under this section.

(7) The center shall determine the number of pupils who did not reside in this state as of the 2015-2016 pupil membership count day but who newly enrolled in a district or intermediate district after that pupil membership count day and before the 2015-2016 supplemental count day. The center shall further determine the number of pupils who were counted in membership for the 2015-2016 pupil membership count day but who left this state before the 2015-2016 supplemental count day. The center shall provide a report to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, and to the senate and house fiscal agencies, detailing the number of pupils transferring in from another state or transferring out from this state between the pupil membership count day and supplemental count day as described in this subsection. The center shall include in the report a discussion of benefits and obstacles to developing a pupil enrollment process for pupils who newly enroll in a district or intermediate district after the pupil membership count day and before the supplemental count day, and developing a process for deducting pupils who were counted on the pupil membership count day and transfer out of this state before the supplemental count day.

(8) As used in this section:

(a) “Educating district or intermediate district” means the district or intermediate district in which a pupil enrolls after the pupil membership count day or after an adjustment was made in another district’s or intermediate district’s membership calculation under this section due to the pupil’s enrollment and attendance.

(b) “Pupil” means that term as defined under section 6 and also children receiving early childhood special education programs and services.

Sec. 25f. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 for 2015-2016 for payments to strict discipline academies established under sections 1311b to 1311m of the revised school code, MCL 380.1311b to 380.1311m, as provided under this section.

(2) In order to receive funding under this section, a strict discipline academy shall first comply with section 25e and use the pupil transfer process under that section for changes in enrollment as prescribed under that section.

(3) The total amount allocated to a strict discipline academy under this section is an amount equal to the lesser of the strict discipline academy’s added cost or the department’s approved per-pupil allocation for the strict discipline academy. However, the sum of the amounts received by a strict discipline academy under this section and under section 24 shall not exceed the product of the strict discipline academy’s per-pupil allocation calculated under section 20 multiplied by the strict discipline academy’s full-time equated membership. The department shall allocate funds to strict discipline academies under this section on a monthly basis. For the purposes of this subsection:

(a) “Added cost” means 100% of the added cost each fiscal year for educating all pupils enrolled and in regular daily attendance at a strict discipline academy. Added cost shall be computed by deducting all other revenue received under this article for pupils described in this subsection from total costs, as approved by the department, in whole or in part, for educating those pupils in a strict discipline academy. The department shall include all costs including, but not limited to, educational costs, insurance, management fees, technology costs, legal fees, auditing fees, interest, pupil accounting costs, and any other administrative costs necessary to operate the program or to comply with statutory requirements. Costs reimbursed by federal funds are not included.

(b) “Department’s approved per-pupil allocation” for a strict discipline academy shall be determined by dividing the total amount allocated under this subsection for a fiscal year by the full-time equated membership total for all pupils approved by the department to be funded under this subsection for that fiscal year for the strict discipline academy.

(4) Special education pupils funded under section 53a shall not be funded under this section.

(5) If the funds allocated under this section are insufficient to fully fund the adjustments under subsection (3), payments under this section shall be prorated on an equal per-pupil basis.

(6) Payments to districts under this section shall be made according to the payment schedule under section 17b.

Sec. 25g. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 for 2015-2016 for the purposes of this section. If the operation of the special membership counting provisions under section 6(4)(dd) and the other membership counting provisions under section 6(4) result in a pupil being counted as more than 1.0 FTE in a fiscal year, then the payment made for the pupil under sections 22a and 22b shall not be based on more than 1.0 FTE for that pupil, and that portion of the FTE that exceeds 1.0 shall be paid under this section in an amount equal to that portion multiplied by the educating district’s foundation allowance or per-pupil payment calculated under section 20.

(2) Special education pupils funded under section 53a shall not be funded under this section.

(3) If the funds allocated under this section are insufficient to fully fund the adjustments under subsection (1), payments under this section shall be prorated on an equal per-pupil basis.

(4) Payments to districts under this section shall be made according to the payment schedule under section 17b.

Sec. 26a. From the funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $26,300,000.00 for 2015-2016 to reimburse districts and intermediate districts pursuant to section 12 of the Michigan renaissance zone act, 1996 PA 376, MCL 125.2692, for taxes levied in 2015. The allocations shall be made not later than 60 days after the department of treasury certifies to the department and to the state budget director that the department of treasury has received all necessary information to properly determine the amounts due to each eligible recipient.

Sec. 26b. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $4,276,800.00 for payments to districts, intermediate districts, and community college districts for the portion of the payment in lieu of taxes obligation that is attributable to districts, intermediate districts, and community college districts pursuant to section 2154 of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.2154.

(2) If the amount appropriated under this section is not sufficient to fully pay obligations under this section, payments shall be prorated on an equal basis among all eligible districts, intermediate districts, and community college districts.

Sec. 26c. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $610,000.00 for 2015‑2016 to the promise zone fund created in subsection (3).

(2) Funds allocated to the promise zone fund under this section shall be used solely for payments to eligible districts and intermediate districts that have a promise zone development plan approved by the department of treasury under section 7 of the Michigan promise zone authority act, 2008 PA 549, MCL 390.1667.

(3) The promise zone fund is created as a separate account within the state school aid fund to be used solely for the purposes of the Michigan promise zone authority act, 2008 PA 549, MCL 390.1661 to 390.1679. All of the following apply to the promise zone fund:

(a) The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the promise zone fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the promise zone fund interest and earnings from fund investments.

(b) Money in the promise zone fund at the close of a fiscal year shall remain in the promise zone fund and shall not lapse to the general fund.

(4) Subject to subsection (2), the state treasurer may make payments from the promise zone fund to eligible districts and intermediate districts pursuant to the Michigan promise zone authority act, 2008 PA 549, MCL 390.1661 to 390.1679, to be used for the purposes of a promise zone authority created under that act.

Sec. 31a. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $389,695,500.00 for payments to eligible districts, eligible public school academies, and the education achievement system for the purposes of ensuring that pupils are proficient in reading by the end of grade 3 and that high school graduates are career and college ready and for the purposes under subsections (7) and (8).

(2) For a district or public school academy, or the education achievement system, to be eligible to receive funding under this section, other than funding under subsection (7) or (8), the sum of the district’s or public school academy’s or the education achievement system’s combined state and local revenue per membership pupil in the current state fiscal year, as calculated under section 20, must be less than or equal to the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current state fiscal year.

(3) For a district or public school academy that operates grades K to 3, or the education achievement system, to be eligible to receive funding under this section, other than funding under subsection (7) or (8), the district or public school academy, or the education achievement system, must implement, for at least grades K to 3, a multi-tiered system of supports that is an evidence-based model that uses data-driven problem solving to integrate academic and behavioral instruction and that uses intervention delivered to all pupils in varying intensities based on pupil needs. This multi-tiered system of supports must provide at least all of the following essential elements:

(a) Implements effective instruction for all learners.

(b) Intervenes early.

(i) A core curriculum and classroom interventions available to all pupils that meet the needs of most pupils.

(ii) Targeted group interventions.

(iii) Intense individual interventions.

(d) Monitors pupil progress to inform instruction.

(e) Uses data to make instructional decisions.

(f) Uses assessments including universal screening, diagnostics, and progress monitoring.

(g) Engages families and the community.

(h) Implements evidence-based, scientifically validated, instruction and intervention.

(i) Implements instruction and intervention practices with fidelity.

(j) Uses a collaborative problem-solving model.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an eligible district or eligible public school academy or the education achievement system shall receive under this section for each membership pupil in the district or public school academy or the education achievement system who met the income eligibility criteria for free breakfast, lunch, or milk, as determined under the Richard B. Russell national school lunch act, 42 USC 1751 to 1769, and as reported to the department in the form and manner prescribed by the department not later than the fifth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and adjusted not later than December 31 of the immediately preceding fiscal year, an amount per pupil equal to 11.5% of the sum of the district’s foundation allowance or the public school academy’s or the education achievement system’s per pupil amount calculated under section 20, not to exceed the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current state fiscal year, or of the public school academy’s or the education achievement system’s per membership pupil amount calculated under section 20 for the current state fiscal year. However, a public school academy that began operations as a public school academy, or an achievement school that began operations as an achievement school, after the pupil membership count day of the immediately preceding school year shall receive under this section for each membership pupil in the public school academy or in the education achievement system who met the income eligibility criteria for free breakfast, lunch, or milk, as determined under the Richard B. Russell national school lunch act and as reported to the department not later than the fifth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day of the current fiscal year and adjusted not later than December 31 of the current fiscal year, an amount per pupil equal to 11.5% of the public school academy’s or the education achievement system’s per membership pupil amount calculated under section 20 for the current state fiscal year.

(5) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a district or public school academy, or the education achievement system, receiving funding under this section shall use that money only to provide instructional programs and direct noninstructional services, including, but not limited to, medical, mental health, or counseling services, for at-risk pupils; for school health clinics; and for the purposes of subsection (6), (7), (8), or (11). In addition, a district that is a school district of the first class or a district or public school academy in which at least 50% of the pupils in membership met the income eligibility criteria for free breakfast, lunch, or milk in the immediately preceding state fiscal year, as determined and reported as described in subsection (4), or the education achievement system if it meets this requirement, may use not more than 20% of the funds it receives under this section for school security. A district, the public school academy, or the education achievement system shall not use any of that money for administrative costs. The instruction or direct noninstructional services provided under this section may be conducted before or after regular school hours or by adding extra school days to the school year.

(6) A district or public school academy that receives funds under this section and that operates a school breakfast program under section 1272a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1272a, or the education achievement system if it operates a school breakfast program, shall use from the funds received under this section an amount, not to exceed $10.00 per pupil for whom the district or public school academy or the education achievement system receives funds under this section, necessary to pay for costs associated with the operation of the school breakfast program.

(7) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $3,557,300.00 to support child and adolescent health centers. These grants shall be awarded for 5 consecutive years beginning with 2003-2004 in a form and manner approved jointly by the department and the department of health and human services. Each grant recipient shall remain in compliance with the terms of the grant award or shall forfeit the grant award for the duration of the 5-year period after the noncompliance. To continue to receive funding for a child and adolescent health center under this section a grant recipient shall ensure that the child and adolescent health center has an advisory committee and that at least one-third of the members of the advisory committee are parents or legal guardians of school-aged children. A child and adolescent health center program shall recognize the role of a child’s parents or legal guardian in the physical and emotional well-being of the child. Funding under this subsection shall be used to support child and adolescent health center services provided to children up to age 21. If any funds allocated under this subsection are not used for the purposes of this subsection for the fiscal year in which they are allocated, those unused funds shall be used that fiscal year to avoid or minimize any proration that would otherwise be required under subsection (12) for that fiscal year. In addition to the funds otherwise allocated under this subsection, from the money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00 for 2015-2016 only for child and adolescent health centers to increase access to nurses and behavioral health services in schools, using 3 existing school clinics as hubs for services and using mobile teams to serve satellite school sites.

(8) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $5,150,000.00 for the state portion of the hearing and vision screenings as described in section 9301 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.9301. A local public health department shall pay at least 50% of the total cost of the screenings. The frequency of the screenings shall be as required under R 325.13091 to R 325.13096 and R 325.3271 to R 325.3276 of the Michigan administrative code. Funds shall be awarded in a form and manner approved jointly by the department and the department of health and human services. Notwithstanding section 17b, payments to eligible entities under this subsection shall be paid on a schedule determined by the department.

(9) Each district or public school academy receiving funds under this section and the education achievement system shall submit to the department by July 15 of each fiscal year a report, not to exceed 10 pages, on the usage by the district or public school academy or the education achievement system of funds under this section, which report shall include a brief description of each program conducted or services performed by the district or public school academy or the education achievement system using funds under this section, the amount of funds under this section allocated to each of those programs or services, the total number of at-risk pupils served by each of those programs or services, and the data necessary for the department and the department of health and human services to verify matching funds for the temporary assistance for needy families program. If a district or public school academy or the education achievement system does not comply with this subsection, the department shall withhold an amount equal to the August payment due under this section until the district or public school academy or the education achievement system complies with this subsection. If the district or public school academy or the education achievement system does not comply with this subsection by the end of the state fiscal year, the withheld funds shall be forfeited to the school aid fund.

(10) In order to receive funds under this section, a district or public school academy or the education achievement system shall allow access for the department or the department’s designee to audit all records related to the program for which it receives those funds. The district or public school academy or the education achievement system shall reimburse the state for all disallowances found in the audit.

(11) Subject to subsections (6), (7), and (8), a district may use up to 100% of the funds it receives under this section to implement schoolwide reform in schools with 40% or more of their pupils identified as at-risk pupils by providing supplemental instructional or noninstructional services consistent with the school improvement plan.

(12) If necessary, and before any proration required under section 296, the department shall prorate payments under this section by reducing the amount of the per pupil payment under this section by a dollar amount calculated by determining the amount by which the amount necessary to fully fund the requirements of this section exceeds the maximum amount allocated under this section and then dividing that amount by the total statewide number of pupils who met the income eligibility criteria for free breakfast, lunch, or milk in the immediately preceding fiscal year, as described in subsection (4).

(13) If a district is formed by consolidation after June 1, 1995, and if 1 or more of the original districts were not eligible before the consolidation for an additional allowance under this section, the amount of the additional allowance under this section for the consolidated district shall be based on the number of pupils described in subsection (1) enrolled in the consolidated district who reside in the territory of an original district that was eligible before the consolidation for an additional allowance under this section. In addition, if a district is dissolved pursuant to section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, the intermediate district to which the dissolved school district was constituent shall determine the estimated number of pupils that meet the income eligibility criteria for free breakfast, lunch, or milk, as described under subsection (4), enrolled in each of the other districts within the intermediate district and provide that estimate to the department for the purposes of distributing funds under this section within 60 days after the school district is declared dissolved.

(14) As used in this section, “at-risk pupil” means a pupil for whom the district has documentation that the pupil meets any of the following criteria:

(a) Is a victim of child abuse or neglect.

(b) Is a pregnant teenager or teenage parent.

(d) For pupils for whom the results of the state summative assessment have been received, is a pupil who did not achieve proficiency on the English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies content area assessment.

(e) Is a pupil who is at risk of not meeting the district’s core academic curricular objectives in English language arts or mathematics, as demonstrated on local assessments.

(f) The pupil is enrolled in a priority or priority-successor school, as defined in the elementary and secondary education act of 2001 flexibility waiver approved by the United States Department of Education.

(g) In the absence of state or local assessment data, the pupil meets at least 2 of the following criteria, as documented in a form and manner approved by the department:

(i) The pupil is eligible for free or reduced price breakfast, lunch, or milk.

(ii) The pupil is absent more than 10% of enrolled days or 10 school days during the school year.

(iii) The pupil is homeless.

(iv) The pupil is a migrant.

(v) The pupil is an English language learner.

(vi) The pupil is an immigrant who has immigrated within the immediately preceding 3 years.

(vii) The pupil did not complete high school in 4 years and is still continuing in school as identified in the Michigan cohort graduation and dropout report.

(15) If a district, public school academy, or the education achievement system does not demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that at least 50% of at-risk pupils are reading at grade level by the end of grade 3 as measured by the state assessment and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department improvement over 3 consecutive years in the percentage of at-risk pupils that are career- and college-ready as determined by proficiency on the English language arts, mathematics, and science content area assessments on the grade 11 summative assessment under section 1279g(2)(a) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1279g, the district, public school academy, or education achievement system shall ensure all of the following:

(a) The district, public school academy, or the education achievement system shall determine the proportion of total at-risk pupils that represents the number of pupils in grade 3 that are not reading at grade level by the end of grade 3, and the district, public school academy, or the education achievement system shall expend that same proportion multiplied by 1/2 of its total at-risk funds under this section on tutoring and other methods of improving grade 3 reading levels.

(b) The district, public school academy, or the education achievement system shall determine the proportion of total at-risk pupils that represent the number of pupils in grade 11 that are not career- and college-ready as measured by the student’s score on the English language arts, mathematics, and science content area assessments on the grade 11 summative assessment under section 1279g(2)(a) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1279g, and the district, public school academy, or the education achievement system shall expend that same proportion multiplied by 1/2 of its total at-risk funds under this section on tutoring and other activities to improve scores on the college entrance examination portion of the Michigan merit examination.

(16) As used in subsection (15), “total at-risk pupils” means the sum of the number of pupils in grade 3 that are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade as measured on the state assessment and the number of pupils in grade 11 that are not career- and college-ready as measured by the student’s score on the English language arts, mathematics, and science content area assessments on the grade 11 summative assessment under section 1279g(2)(a) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1279g.

(17) A district or public school academy that receives funds under this section or the education achievement system may use funds received under this section to provide an anti-bullying or crisis intervention program.

(18) The department shall collaborate with the department of health and human services to prioritize assigning Pathways to Potential Success coaches to elementary schools that have a high percentage of pupils in grades K to 3 who are not reading at grade level.

Sec. 31c. (1) From the funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 for 2015-2016 for programs intended to improve public safety, reduce the number of youth involved in gang-related activity, and increase high school graduation rates.

(2) The department shall award grants to districts that form partnerships with nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, and other community resources to provide programs that divert young adults from gang-related criminal activity.

(3) Grants awarded under this section may include, but are not limited to, grants for any of the following activities:

(a) Employment training and placement programs.

(b) Counseling services.

(c) Assistance to program participants in accessing community resources for continuing education, court advocacy, and health care.

(d) Outreach programs to educate participants and their families.

(4) Each grant recipient under this section shall partner with a university to collect data necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of programs in reducing violent crime and gang-related activity in the community.

Sec. 31d. (1) From the appropriations in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $22,495,100.00 for 2015-2016 for the purpose of making payments to districts and other eligible entities under this section.

(2) The amounts allocated from state sources under this section shall be used to pay the amount necessary to reimburse districts for 6.0127% of the necessary costs of the state mandated portion of the school lunch programs provided by those districts. The amount due to each district under this section shall be computed by the department using the methods of calculation adopted by the Michigan supreme court in the consolidated cases known as Durant v State of Michigan, Michigan supreme court docket no. 104458-104492.

(3) The payments made under this section include all state payments made to districts so that each district receives at least 6.0127% of the necessary costs of operating the state mandated portion of the school lunch program in a fiscal year.

(4) The payments made under this section to districts and other eligible entities that are not required under section 1272a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1272a, to provide a school lunch program shall be in an amount not to exceed $10.00 per eligible pupil plus 5 cents for each free lunch and 2 cents for each reduced price lunch provided, as determined by the department.

(5) From the federal funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 all available federal funding, estimated at $510,000,000.00 for the national school lunch program and all available federal funding, estimated at $3,200,000.00 for the emergency food assistance program.

(6) Notwithstanding section 17b, payments to eligible entities other than districts under this section shall be paid on a schedule determined by the department.

(7) In purchasing food for a school lunch program funded under this section, preference shall be given to food that is grown or produced by Michigan businesses if it is competitively priced and of comparable quality.

Sec. 31f. (1) From the appropriations in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $5,625,000.00 for 2015‑2016 for the purpose of making payments to districts to reimburse for the cost of providing breakfast.

(2) The funds allocated under this section for school breakfast programs shall be made available to all eligible applicant districts that meet all of the following criteria:

(a) The district participates in the federal school breakfast program and meets all standards as prescribed by 7 CFR parts 220 and 245.

(b) Each breakfast eligible for payment meets the federal standards described in subdivision (a).

(3) The payment for a district under this section is at a per meal rate equal to the lesser of the district’s actual cost or 100% of the statewide average cost of a breakfast served, as determined and approved by the department, less federal reimbursement, participant payments, and other state reimbursement. The statewide average cost shall be determined by the department using costs as reported in a manner approved by the department for the preceding school year.

(4) Notwithstanding section 17b, payments under this section may be made pursuant to an agreement with the department.

(5) In purchasing food for a school breakfast program funded under this section, preference shall be given to food that is grown or produced by Michigan businesses if it is competitively priced and of comparable quality.

Sec. 31h. From the funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $300,000.00 for 2015‑2016 for the purpose of providing funding to a district that educates high school pupils from another district that voluntarily closed its high school program in 2013. The funding under this section is intended to be for the first of 2 years, unless it is determined that the federal elementary and secondary education act allows federal title I funds that previously supported the high school pupils in their resident district to instead be provided to the educating district. Funding under this section shall be used to support the additional costs of educating high school pupils in a manner that is similar to the way title I funds provided additional support to the education of those pupils when they were educated in their resident district high school program before its closure in 2013.

Sec. 32d. (1) From the funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated to eligible intermediate districts and consortia of intermediate districts for great start readiness programs an amount not to exceed $239,275,000.00 for 2015‑2016. Funds allocated under this section for great start readiness programs shall be used to provide part-day, school-day, or GSRP/head start blended comprehensive free compensatory classroom programs designed to improve the readiness and subsequent achievement of educationally disadvantaged children who meet the participant eligibility and prioritization guidelines as defined by the department. For a child to be eligible to participate in a program under this section, the child shall be at least 4, but less than 5, years of age as of the date specified for determining a child’s eligibility to attend school under section 1147 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1147.

(2) Funds allocated under subsection (1) shall be allocated to intermediate districts or consortia of intermediate districts based on the formula in section 39. An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving funding under this section shall act as the fiduciary for the great start readiness programs. In order to be eligible to receive funds allocated under this subsection from an intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts, a district, a consortium of districts, or a public or private for-profit or nonprofit legal entity or agency shall comply with this section and section 39.

(3) In addition to the allocation under subsection (1), from the general fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $300,000.00 for 2015-2016 for a competitive grant to continue a longitudinal evaluation of children who have participated in great start readiness programs.

(4) To be eligible for funding under this section, a program shall prepare children for success in school through comprehensive part-day, school-day, or GSRP/head start blended programs that contain all of the following program components, as determined by the department:

(a) Participation in a collaborative recruitment and enrollment process to assure that each child is enrolled in the program most appropriate to his or her needs and to maximize the use of federal, state, and local funds.

(b) An age-appropriate educational curriculum that is in compliance with the early childhood standards of quality for prekindergarten children adopted by the state board.

(d) Physical and dental health and developmental screening services for all program participants.

(e) Referral services for families of program participants to community social service agencies, including mental health services, as appropriate.

(f) Active and continuous involvement of the parents or guardians of the program participants.

(g) A plan to conduct and report annual great start readiness program evaluations and continuous improvement plans using criteria approved by the department.

(h) Participation in a school readiness advisory committee convened as a workgroup of the great start collaborative that provides for the involvement of classroom teachers, parents or guardians of program participants, and community, volunteer, and social service agencies and organizations, as appropriate. The advisory committee annually shall review and make recommendations regarding the program components listed in this subsection. The advisory committee also shall make recommendations to the great start collaborative regarding other community services designed to improve all children’s school readiness.

(i) The ongoing articulation of the kindergarten and first grade programs offered by the program provider.

(j) Participation in this state’s great start to quality process with a rating of at least 3 stars.

(5) An application for funding under this section shall provide for the following, in a form and manner determined by the department:

(a) Ensure compliance with all program components described in subsection (4).

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, ensure that at least 90% of the children participating in an eligible great start readiness program for whom the intermediate district is receiving funds under this section are children who live with families with a household income that is equal to or less than 250% of the federal poverty level. If the intermediate district determines that all eligible children are being served and that there are no children on the waiting list under section 39(1)(d) who live with families with a household income that is equal to or less than 250% of the federal poverty level, the intermediate district may then enroll children who live with families with a household income that is equal to or less than 300% of the federal poverty level. The enrollment process shall consider income and risk factors, such that children determined with higher need are enrolled before children with lesser need. For purposes of this subdivision, all age-eligible children served in foster care or who are experiencing homelessness or who have individualized education plans recommending placement in an inclusive preschool setting shall be considered to live with families with household income equal to or less than 250% of the federal poverty level regardless of actual family income.

(i) Teachers possessing proper training. A lead teacher must have a valid teaching certificate with an early childhood (ZA or ZS) endorsement or a bachelor’s degree in child development or early child development with specialization in preschool teaching. However, if an applicant demonstrates to the department that it is unable to fully comply with this subparagraph after making reasonable efforts to comply, teachers who have significant but incomplete training in early childhood education or child development may be used if the applicant provides to the department, and the department approves, a plan for each teacher to come into compliance with the standards in this subparagraph. A teacher’s compliance plan must be completed within 2 years of the date of employment. Progress toward completion of the compliance plan shall consist of at least 2 courses per calendar year.

(ii) Paraprofessionals possessing proper training in early childhood development, including an associate’s degree in early childhood education or child development or the equivalent, or a child development associate (CDA) credential. However, if an applicant demonstrates to the department that it is unable to fully comply with this subparagraph after making reasonable efforts to comply, the applicant may use paraprofessionals who have completed at least 1 course that earns college credit in early childhood education or child development if the applicant provides to the department, and the department approves, a plan for each paraprofessional to come into compliance with the standards in this subparagraph. A paraprofessional’s compliance plan must be completed within 2 years of the date of employment. Progress toward completion of the compliance plan shall consist of at least 2 courses or 60 clock hours of training per calendar year.

(d) Include a program budget that contains only those costs that are not reimbursed or reimbursable by federal funding, that are clearly and directly attributable to the great start readiness program, and that would not be incurred if the program were not being offered. Eligible costs include transportation costs. The program budget shall indicate the extent to which these funds will supplement other federal, state, local, or private funds. Funds received under this section shall not be used to supplant any federal funds received by the applicant to serve children eligible for a federally funded preschool program that has the capacity to serve those children.

(6) For a grant recipient that enrolls pupils in a school-day program funded under this section, each child enrolled in the school-day program shall be counted as 2 children served by the program for purposes of determining the number of children to be served and for determining the amount of the grant award. A grant award shall not be increased solely on the basis of providing a school-day program.

(7) For a grant recipient that enrolls pupils in a GSRP/head start blended program, the grant recipient shall ensure that all head start and GSRP policies and regulations are applied to the blended slots, with adherence to the highest standard from either program, to the extent allowable under federal law.

(8) An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving a grant under this section shall designate an early childhood coordinator, and may provide services directly or may contract with 1 or more districts or public or private for-profit or nonprofit providers that meet all requirements of subsection (4).

(9) Funds received under this section may be retained for administrative services as follows:

(a) For the portion of the total grant amount for which services are provided directly by an intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts, the intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts may retain an amount equal to not more than 7% of that portion of the grant amount.

(b) For the portion of the total grant amount for which services are contracted, the intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving the grant may retain an amount equal to not more than 4% of that portion of the grant amount and the subrecipients engaged by the intermediate district to provide program services may retain for administrative services an amount equal to not more than 4% of that portion of the grant amount.

(10) An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts may expend not more than 2% of the total grant amount for outreach, recruiting, and public awareness of the program.

(11) Each grant recipient shall enroll children identified under subsection (5)(b) according to how far the child’s household income is below 250% of the federal poverty level by ranking each applicant child’s household income from lowest to highest and dividing the applicant children into quintiles based on how far the child’s household income is below 250% of the federal poverty level, and then enrolling children in the quintile with the lowest household income before enrolling children in the quintile with the next lowest household income until slots are completely filled. If the grant recipient determines that all eligible children are being served and that there are no children on the waiting list under section 39(1)(d) who live with families with a household income that is equal to or less than 250% of the federal poverty level, the grant recipient may then enroll children who live with families with a household income that is equal to or less than 300% of the federal poverty level. The enrollment process shall consider income and risk factors, such that children determined with higher need are enrolled before children with lesser need. For purposes of this subdivision, all age-eligible children served in foster care or who are experiencing homelessness or who have individualized education plans recommending placement in an inclusive preschool setting shall be considered to live with families with household income equal to or less than 250% of the federal poverty level regardless of actual family income.

(12) An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving a grant under this section shall allow parents of eligible children who are residents of the intermediate district or within the consortium to choose a program operated by or contracted with another intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts and shall pay to the educating intermediate district or consortium the per-child amount attributable to each child enrolled pursuant to this sentence, as determined under section 39.

(13) An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving a grant under this section shall conduct a local process to contract with interested and eligible public and private for-profit and nonprofit community-based providers that meet all requirements of subsection (4) for at least 30% of its total slot allocation. The intermediate district or consortium shall report to the department, in a manner prescribed by the department, a detailed list of community-based providers by provider type, including private for-profit, private nonprofit, community college or university, head start grantee or delegate, and district or intermediate district, and the number and proportion of its total slot allocation allocated to each provider as subrecipient. If the intermediate district or consortium is not able to contract for at least 30% of its total slot allocation, the grant recipient shall notify the department and, if the department verifies that the intermediate district or consortium attempted to contract for at least 30% of its total slot allocation and was not able to do so, then the intermediate district or consortium may retain and use all of its allocated slots as provided under this section. To be able to use this exemption, the intermediate district or consortium shall demonstrate to the department that the intermediate district or consortium increased the percentage of its total slot allocation for which it contracts with a community-based provider and the intermediate district or consortium shall submit evidence satisfactory to the department, and the department must be able to verify this evidence, demonstrating that the intermediate district or consortium took measures to contract for at least 30% of its total slot allocation as required under this subsection, including, but not limited to, at least all of the following measures:

(a) The intermediate district or consortium notified each licensed child care center located in the service area of the intermediate district or consortium at least twice regarding the center’s eligibility to participate. One of these notifications may be made electronically, but at least 1 of these notifications shall be made via hard copy through the United States mail. At least 1 of these notifications shall be made within 7 days after the intermediate district or consortium receives notice from the department of its slot allocations.

(b) The intermediate district or consortium provided to each licensed child care center located in the service area of the intermediate district or consortium information regarding great start readiness program requirements and a description of the application and selection process for community-based providers.

(c) The intermediate district or consortium provided to the public and to participating families a list of community-based great start readiness program subrecipients with a great start to quality rating of at least 3 stars.

(14) If an intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving a grant under this section fails to submit satisfactory evidence to demonstrate its effort to contract for at least 30% of its total slot allocation, as required under subsection (1), the department shall reduce the slots allocated to the intermediate district or consortium by a percentage equal to the difference between the percentage of an intermediate district’s or consortium’s total slot allocation awarded to community-based providers and 30% of its total slot allocation.

(15) In order to assist intermediate districts and consortia in complying with the requirement to contract with community-based providers for at least 30% of their total slot allocation, the department shall do all of the following:

(a) Ensure that a great start resource center or the department provides each intermediate district or consortium receiving a grant under this section with the contact information for each licensed child care center located in the service area of the intermediate district or consortium by March 1 of each year.

(b) Provide, or ensure that an organization with which the department contracts provides, a community-based provider with a validated great start to quality rating within 90 days of the provider’s having submitted a request and self-assessment.

(c) Ensure that all intermediate district, district, community college or university, head start grantee or delegate, private for-profit, and private nonprofit providers are subject to a single great start to quality rating system. The rating system shall ensure that regulators process all prospective providers at the same pace on a first-come, first-served basis and shall not allow 1 type of provider to receive a great start to quality rating ahead of any other type of provider.

(d) Not later than November 1 of each year, compile the results of the information reported by each intermediate district or consortium under subsection (10) and report to the legislature a list by intermediate district or consortium with the number and percentage of each intermediate district’s or consortium’s total slot allocation allocated to community-based providers by provider type, including private for-profit, private nonprofit, community college or university, head start grantee or delegate, and district or intermediate district.

(16) A recipient of funds under this section shall report to the department in a form and manner prescribed by the department the number of children participating in the program who meet the income eligibility criteria under subsection (5)(b) and the total number of children participating in the program. For children participating in the program who meet the income eligibility criteria specified under subsection (5)(b), a recipient shall also report whether or not a parent is available to provide care based on employment status. For the purposes of this subsection, “employment status” shall be defined by the department of health and human services in a manner consistent with maximizing the amount of spending that may be claimed for temporary assistance for needy families maintenance of effort purposes.

(17) As used in this section:

(a) “GSRP/head start blended program” means a part-day program funded under this section and a head start program, which are combined for a school-day program.

(b) “Part-day program” means a program that operates at least 4 days per week, 30 weeks per year, for at least 3 hours of teacher-child contact time per day but for fewer hours of teacher-child contact time per day than a school-day program.

(c) “School-day program” means a program that operates for at least the same length of day as a district’s first grade program for a minimum of 4 days per week, 30 weeks per year. A classroom that offers a school-day program must enroll all children for the school day to be considered a school-day program.

(18) An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving funds under this section shall establish a sliding scale of tuition rates based upon household income for children participating in an eligible great start readiness program who live with families with a household income that is more than 250% of the federal poverty level to be used by all of its providers, as approved by the department. A grant recipient shall charge tuition according to that sliding scale of tuition rates on a uniform basis for any child who does not meet the income eligibility requirements under this section.

(19) From the amount appropriated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00 for reimbursement of transportation costs for children attending great start readiness programs funded under this section. To receive reimbursement under this subsection, not later than November 1, 2015, a program funded under this section that provides transportation shall submit to the intermediate district that is the fiscal agent for the program a projected transportation budget. The amount of the reimbursement for transportation under this subsection shall be no more than the projected transportation budget or $150.00 multiplied by the number of slots funded for the program under this section. If the amount allocated under this subsection is insufficient to fully reimburse the transportation costs for all programs that provide transportation and submit the required information, the reimbursement shall be prorated in an equal amount per slot funded. Payments shall be made to the intermediate district that is the fiscal agent for each program, and the intermediate district shall then reimburse the program provider for transportation costs as prescribed under this subsection.

Sec. 32p. (1) From the school aid fund appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $13,400,000.00 to intermediate districts for 2015-2016 for the purpose of providing early childhood funding to intermediate school districts to support the activities under subsection (2) and subsection (4), and to provide early childhood programs for children from birth through age 8. The funding provided to each intermediate district under this section shall be determined by the distribution formula established by the department’s office of great start to provide equitable funding statewide. In order to receive funding under this section, each intermediate district shall provide an application to the office of great start not later than September 15 of the immediately preceding fiscal year indicating the activities planned to be provided.

(2) Each intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts that receives funding under this section shall convene a local great start collaborative and a parent coalition. The goal of each great start collaborative and parent coalition shall be to ensure the coordination and expansion of local early childhood infrastructure and programs that allow every child in the community to achieve the following outcomes:

(a) Children born healthy.

(b) Children healthy, thriving, and developmentally on track from birth to third grade.

(d) Children prepared to succeed in fourth grade and beyond by reading proficiently by the end of third grade.

(3) Each local great start collaborative and parent coalition shall convene workgroups to make recommendations about community services designed to achieve the outcomes described in subsection (2) and to ensure that its local great start system includes the following supports for children from birth through age 8:

(a) Physical health.

(b) Social-emotional health.

(d) Parent education.

(e) Early education and care.

(4) From the funds allocated in subsection (1), at least $2,500,000.00 shall be used for the purpose of providing home visits to at-risk children and their families. The home visits shall be conducted as part of a locally coordinated, family-centered, evidence-based, data-driven home visit strategic plan that is approved by the department. The goals of the home visits funded under this subsection shall be to improve school readiness, reduce the number of pupils retained in grade level, and reduce the number of pupils requiring special education services. The department shall coordinate the goals of the home visit strategic plans approved under this subsection with other state agency home visit programs in a way that strengthens Michigan’s home visiting infrastructure and maximizes federal funds available for the purposes of at-risk family home visits.

(5) Not later than December 1 of each year, each intermediate district shall provide a report to the department detailing the activities actually provided during the immediately preceding school year and the families and children actually served. At a minimum, the report shall include an evaluation of the services provided with additional funding under subsection (4) for home visits, using the goals identified in subsection (4) as the basis for the evaluation, including the degree to which school readiness was improved, any change in the number of pupils retained at grade level, and any change in the number of pupils receiving special education services. The department shall compile and summarize these reports and submit its summary to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on school aid and to the house and senate fiscal agencies not later than February 15 of each year.

(6) An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts that receives funding under this section may carry over any unexpended funds received under this section into the next fiscal year and may expend those unused funds through June 30 of the next fiscal year. A recipient of a grant shall return any unexpended grant funds to the department in the manner prescribed by the department not later than September 30 of the next fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the funds are received.

Sec. 35. (1) The funds allocated under section 35a shall be used for programs to ensure children are reading at grade level by the end of grade 3. The superintendent shall designate staff or contracted employees funded under section 35a as critical shortage. Programs funded under section 35a are intended to ensure that this state will be in the top 10 most improved states in grade 4 reading proficiency by the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and will be in the top 10 states overall in grade 4 reading proficiency by 2025.

(2) From the general fund appropriation in section 11, there is allocated to the department an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 for 2015-2016 for implementation costs associated with programs funded under section 35a.

(3) From the amount allocated under subsection (2), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 for the purpose of performing an evaluation of the pilot programs under section 35a(2) in a manner approved by the department. The evaluation report shall include at least all of the following:

(a) A description of the components of the pilot programs that were effective in helping parents prepare their children for success in school.

(b) A description of any barriers that parents and their children encountered that prevented them from participating in the pilot programs.

Sec. 35a. (1) From the appropriations in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 for the purposes of this section an amount not to exceed $23,900,000.00 from the state school aid fund appropriation and an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.00 from the general fund appropriation.

(2) From the allocations under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 for 2015-2016 for the purpose of conducting parent education pilot programs for parents of children less than 4 years of age so that children are developmentally ready to succeed in school at the time of school entry. All of the following apply to programs funded under this subsection:

(a) The department shall develop a competitive application process and method of grant distribution consistent with the provisions of this subsection. The amount of a grant award to a pilot program shall be an amount equal to the number of children residing in the district or consortium of districts operating the program who are younger than 4 years of age as of the date specified for determining a child’s eligibility to attend school under section 1147 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1147, multiplied by $120.00 per child or $130,000.00, whichever is less. The department shall ensure that grants are awarded in each prosperity region or subregion.

(b) An application for a competitive grant under this subsection shall be submitted by an intermediate district on behalf of a district or consortium of districts within the intermediate district. The application shall be submitted in a form and manner approved by the department and shall contain at least the following components:

(i) A description of the program design including the names of the district or consortium of districts that will operate the program, the physical location of the program, and the anticipated number of families that will be served.

(ii) An assurance that the program will be supervised by a teacher who has a valid teaching certificate with an early childhood (ZA or ZS) endorsement, a valid teaching certificate in career education with both a KH and VH endorsement, a bachelor’s degree in child development or early child development, or a bachelor’s degree related to adult learning.

(iii) An estimate of the number of families residing in the district or consortium of districts that will operate the pilot program that have at least 1 child less than 4 years of age as of the date specified for determining a child’s eligibility to attend school under section 1147 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1147.

(iv) A description of the public awareness and outreach efforts that will be made.

(v) An assurance that the intermediate district and the district or consortium of districts operating the program will provide information in a form and manner as approved by the department to allow for an evaluation of the pilot projects.

(vi) A description of the sliding fee scale that will be established for tuition, with fees reduced or waived for those unable to pay.

(vii) A budget for the program. A program may use not more than 5% of a grant to administer the program.

(c) To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, a program shall provide at least 2 hours per week throughout the school year for parents and their eligible children to participate in parent education programs and meet at least the following minimum requirements:

(i) Require that parents be physically present in classes with their children or be in concurrent classes.

(ii) Use research-based information to educate parents about the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children.

(iii) Provide structured learning activities requiring interaction between children and their parents.

(iv) Provide structured learning activities for children that promote positive interaction with their peers.

(d) For a child to be eligible to participate in a program under this subsection, the child shall be less than 4 years of age as of the date specified for determining a child’s eligibility to attend school under section 1147 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1147.

(3) From the allocations under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $950,000.00 for 2015-2016 for professional development purposes under this subsection. This allocation represents the first of 2 years of funding for the purposes of this subsection. All of the following apply to funding under this subsection:

(a) The department shall award grants to districts to support professional development for educators in a department-approved research-based training program related to current state literacy standards for pupils in grades K to 3. The professional development shall also include training in the use of screening and diagnostic tools, progress monitoring, and intervention methods used to address barriers to learning and delays in learning that are diagnosed through the use of these tools. The department shall determine the amount of the grant awards.

(b) In addition to other methods of professional development delivery, the department shall collaborate with the Michigan Virtual University to provide this training online to all educators of pupils in grades K to 3.

(c) The funds allocated under this subsection are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2015‑2016 are carried forward into 2016-2017. The purpose of the work project is to continue to implement the professional development training described in this subsection. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2017.

(4) From the allocations under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,450,000.00 for 2015-2016 for grants under this subsection. This allocation represents the first of 2 years of funding. All of the following apply to grants under this subsection:

(a) The department shall award grants to districts to administer department-approved screening and diagnostic tools to monitor the development of early literacy and early reading skills of pupils in grades K to 3 and to support research-based professional development for educators in administering screening and diagnostic tools and in data interpretation of the results obtained through the use of those tools for the purpose of implementing a multi-tiered system of support to improve reading proficiency among pupils in grades K to 3. The department shall award grants to eligible districts in an amount determined by the department.

(5) From the allocations under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.00 for the purpose of providing early literacy coaches at intermediate districts to assist teachers in developing and implementing instructional strategies for pupils in grades K to 3 so that pupils are reading at grade level by the end of grade 3. All of the following apply to funding under this subsection:

(a) The department shall develop an application process consistent with the provisions of this subsection. An application shall provide assurances that literacy coaches funded under this subsection are knowledgeable about at least the following:

(i) Current state literacy standards for pupils in grades K to 3.

(ii) Implementing an instructional delivery model based on frequent use of formative, screening, and diagnostic tools, known as a multi-tiered system of support, to determine individual progress for pupils in grades K to 3 so that pupils are reading at grade level by the end of grade 3.

(iii) The use of data from diagnostic tools to determine the necessary additional supports and interventions needed by individual pupils in grades K to 3 in order to be reading at grade level.

(b) From the allocation under this subsection, the department shall award grants to intermediate districts for the support of early literacy coaches. An intermediate district must provide matching funds for at least 50% of the cost of the literacy coach. The department shall provide this funding in the following manner:

(i) Each intermediate district shall be awarded grant funding to support the cost of 1 early literacy coach in an equal amount per early literacy coach, not to exceed $37,500.00.

(ii) After distribution of the grant funding under subparagraph (i), the department shall distribute the remainder of grant funding for additional early literacy coaches in an amount not to exceed $37,500.00 per early literacy coach. The number of funded early literacy coaches for each intermediate district shall be based on the percentage of the total statewide number of pupils in grades K to 3 who meet the income eligibility standards for the federal free and reduced-price lunch programs who are enrolled in districts in the intermediate district. For each additional early literacy coach funded under this subparagraph, the department shall not make an award to an intermediate district under this subparagraph in an amount that is less than the amount necessary to pay 1/2 of the total cost of that additional early literacy coach.

(c) The funds allocated under this subsection are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2015‑2016 are carried forward into 2016-2017. The purpose of the work project is to continue to provide early literacy coaches as described in this subsection. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2017.

(6) From the allocations under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $17,500,000.00 for 2015-2016 to districts that provide additional instructional time to those pupils in grades K to 3 who have been identified by using department-approved screening and diagnostic tools as needing additional supports and interventions in order to be reading at grade level by the end of grade 3. Additional instructional time may be provided before, during, and after regular school hours or as part of a year-round balanced school calendar. All of the following apply to funding under this subsection:

(a) In order to be eligible to receive funding, a district shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that the district has done all of the following:

(i) Implemented a multi-tiered system of support instructional delivery model that is an evidence-based model that uses data-driven problem solving to integrate academic and behavioral instruction and that uses intervention delivered to all pupils in varying intensities based on pupil needs. The multi-tiered system of supports must provide at least all of the following essential elements:

(A) Implements effective instruction for all learners.

(B) Intervenes early.

(C) Provides a multi-tiered model of instruction and intervention that provides the following: a core curriculum and classroom interventions available to all pupils that meet the needs of most pupils; targeted group interventions; and intense individual interventions.

(D) Monitors pupil progress to inform instruction.

(E) Uses data to make instructional decisions.

(F) Uses assessments including universal screening, diagnostics, and progress monitoring.

(G) Engages families and the community.

(H) Implements evidence-based, scientifically validated, instruction and intervention.

(I) Implements instruction and intervention practices with fidelity.

(J) Uses a collaborative problem-solving model.

(ii) Used department-approved research-based diagnostic tools to identify individual pupils in need of additional instructional time.

(iii) Used a reading instruction method that focuses on the 5 fundamental building blocks of reading: phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension and content knowledge.

(iv) Provided teachers of pupils in grades K to 3 with research-based professional development in diagnostic data interpretation.

(b) Funding allocated under this subsection shall be distributed to eligible districts by multiplying the number of full-time-equivalent pupils in grade 1 in the district by $165.00.

(c) If the funds allocated under this subsection are insufficient to fully fund the payments under this subsection, payments under this subsection shall be prorated on an equal per-pupil basis based on grade 1 pupils.

(7) From the general fund money allocated in subsection (1), the department shall allocate the amount of $1,000,000.00 for 2015-2016 to the Michigan Education Corps. All of the following apply to funding under this subsection:

(a) By August 1, 2016, the Michigan Education Corps shall provide a report concerning its use of the funding to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, the senate and house fiscal agencies, and the senate and house caucus policy offices on outcomes and performance measures of the Michigan Education Corps, including, but not limited to, the degree to which the Michigan Education Corps’s replication of the Michigan Reading Corps program is demonstrating sufficient efficacy and impact. The report must include data pertaining to at least all of the following:

(i) The current impact of the Michigan Reading Corps on this state in terms of numbers of children and programs receiving support. This portion of the report shall specify the number of children tutored, including dosage and completion, and the demographics of those children.

(ii) Whether the assessments and interventions are implemented with fidelity. This portion of the report shall include details on the total number of assessments and interventions completed and the range, median, mean, and standard deviation for all assessments.

(iii) Whether the literacy improvement of children participating in the Michigan Reading Corps is consistent with expectations. This portion of the report shall detail at least all of the following:

(A) Growth rate by grade level, in comparison to targeted growth rate.

(B) Average linear growth rates.

(D) Percentage of children who exit who also meet or exceed spring benchmarks.

(iv) The impact of the Michigan Reading Corps on organizations and stakeholders, including, but not limited to, school administrators, internal coaches, and AmeriCorps members.

(b) If the department determines that the Michigan Education Corps has misused the funds allocated under this subsection, the Michigan Education Corps shall reimburse this state for the amount of state funding misused.

(8) From the general fund money allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated to the department an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 for 2015-2016 for the adoption of a certification test to ensure that all newly certificated elementary teachers have the skills to deliver evidence-based literacy instruction.

Sec. 39. (1) An eligible applicant receiving funds under section 32d shall submit an application, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, by a date specified by the department in the immediately preceding state fiscal year. The application shall include a comprehensive needs assessment using aggregated data from the applicant’s entire service area and a community collaboration plan that is endorsed by the local great start collaborative and is part of the community’s great start strategic plan that includes, but is not limited to, great start readiness program and head start providers, and shall identify all of the following:

(a) The estimated total number of children in the community who meet the criteria of section 32d and how that calculation was made.

(b) The estimated number of children in the community who meet the criteria of section 32d and are being served by other early childhood development programs operating in the community, and how that calculation was made.

(c) The number of children the applicant will be able to serve who meet the criteria of section 32d including a verification of physical facility and staff resources capacity.

(d) The estimated number of children who meet the criteria of section 32d who will remain unserved after the applicant and community early childhood programs have met their funded enrollments. The applicant shall maintain a waiting list of identified unserved eligible children who would be served when openings are available.

(2) After notification of funding allocations, an applicant receiving funds under section 32d shall also submit an implementation plan for approval, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, by a date specified by the department, that details how the applicant complies with the program components established by the department pursuant to section 32d.

(3) The number of prekindergarten children construed to be in need of special readiness assistance under section 32d shall be calculated for each applicant in the following manner: 1/2 of the percentage of the applicant’s pupils in grades 1 to 5 in all districts served by the applicant who are eligible for free lunch, as determined using the district’s pupil membership count as of the pupil membership count day in the school year prior to the fiscal year for which the calculation is made, under the Richard B. Russell national school lunch act, 42 USC 1751 to 1769i, shall be multiplied by the average kindergarten enrollment of the districts served by the applicant on the pupil membership count day of the 2 immediately preceding fiscal years.

(4) The initial allocation for each fiscal year to each eligible applicant under section 32d shall be determined by multiplying the number of children determined by the formula under subsection (3) or the number of children the applicant indicates it will be able to serve under subsection (1)(c), whichever is less, by $3,625.00 and shall be distributed among applicants in decreasing order of concentration of eligible children as determined by the formula under subsection (3). If the number of children an applicant indicates it will be able to serve under subsection (1)(c) includes children able to be served in a school-day program, then the number able to be served in a school-day program shall be doubled for the purposes of making this calculation of the lesser of the number of children determined by the formula under subsection (3) and the number of children the applicant indicates it will be able to serve under subsection (1)(c) and determining the amount of the initial allocation to the applicant under section 32d. A district may contract with a head start agency to serve children enrolled in head start with a school-day program by blending head start funds with a part-day great start readiness program allocation. All head start and great start readiness program policies and regulations apply to the blended program.

(5) If funds allocated for eligible applicants under section 32d remain after the initial allocation under subsection (4), the allocation under this subsection shall be distributed to each eligible applicant under section 32d in decreasing order of concentration of eligible children as determined by the formula under subsection (3). The allocation shall be determined by multiplying the number of children in each district within the applicant’s service area served in the immediately preceding fiscal year or the number of children the applicant indicates it will be able to serve under subsection (1)(c), whichever is less, minus the number of children for which the applicant received funding in subsection (4) by $3,625.00.

(6) If funds allocated for eligible applicants under section 32d remain after the allocations under subsections (4) and (5), remaining funds shall be distributed to each eligible applicant under section 32d in decreasing order of concentration of eligible children as determined by the formula under subsection (3). If the number of children the applicant indicates it will be able to serve under subsection (1)(c) exceeds the number of children for which funds have been received under subsections (4) and (5), the allocation under this subsection shall be determined by multiplying the number of children the applicant indicates it will be able to serve under subsection (1)(c) less the number of children for which funds have been received under subsections (4) and (5) by $3,625.00 until the funds allocated for eligible applicants in section 32d are distributed.

(7) An applicant that offers supplementary child care funded by funds other than those received under section 32d and therefore offers full-day programs as part of its early childhood development program shall receive priority in the allocation of funds under section 32d over other eligible applicants. As used in this subsection, “full-day program” means a program that provides supplementary child care that totals at least 10 hours of programming per day.

(8) If, taking into account the total amount to be allocated to the applicant as calculated under this section, an applicant determines that it is able to include additional eligible children in the great start readiness program without additional funds under section 32d, the applicant may include additional eligible children but shall not receive additional funding under section 32d for those children.

Sec. 39a. (1) From the federal funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 to districts, intermediate districts, and other eligible entities all available federal funding, estimated at $779,076,400.00 for the federal programs under the no child left behind act of 2001, Public Law 107-110. These funds are allocated as follows:

(a) An amount estimated at $5,000,000.00 to provide students with drug- and violence-prevention programs and to implement strategies to improve school safety, funded from DED-OESE, drug-free schools and communities funds.

(b) An amount estimated at $111,111,900.00 for the purpose of preparing, training, and recruiting high-quality teachers and class size reduction, funded from DED-OESE, improving teacher quality funds.

(c) An amount estimated at $12,200,000.00 for programs to teach English to limited English proficient (LEP) children, funded from DED-OESE, language acquisition state grant funds.

(d) An amount estimated at $10,286,500.00 for the Michigan charter school subgrant program, funded from DED‑OESE, charter school funds.

(e) An amount estimated at $3,000,000.00 for rural and low income schools, funded from DED-OESE, rural and low income school funds.

(f) An amount estimated at $565,000,000.00 to provide supplemental programs to enable educationally disadvantaged children to meet challenging academic standards, funded from DED-OESE, title I, disadvantaged children funds.

(g) An amount estimated at $8,878,000.00 for the purpose of identifying and serving migrant children, funded from DED-OESE, title I, migrant education funds.

(h) An amount estimated at $39,000,000.00 for the purpose of providing high-quality extended learning opportunities, after school and during the summer, for children in low-performing schools, funded from DED-OESE, twenty-first century community learning center funds.

(i) An amount estimated at $24,600,000.00 to help support local school improvement efforts, funded from DED‑OESE, title I, local school improvement grants.

(2) From the federal funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 to districts, intermediate districts, and other eligible entities all available federal funding, estimated at $30,800,000.00 for the following programs that are funded by federal grants:

(a) An amount estimated at $200,000.00 for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome education grants, funded from HHS - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AIDS funding.

(b) An amount estimated at $2,600,000.00 to provide services to homeless children and youth, funded from DED‑OVAE, homeless children and youth funds.

(c) An amount estimated at $4,000,000.00 to provide mental health, substance abuse, or violence prevention services to students, funded from HHS-SAMHSA.

(d) An amount estimated at $24,000,000.00 for providing career and technical education services to pupils, funded from DED-OVAE, basic grants to states.

(3) All federal funds allocated under this section shall be distributed in accordance with federal law and with flexibility provisions outlined in Public Law 107-116, and in the education flexibility partnership act of 1999, Public Law 106-25. Notwithstanding section 17b, payments of federal funds to districts, intermediate districts, and other eligible entities under this section shall be paid on a schedule determined by the department.

(4) For the purposes of applying for federal grants appropriated under this article, the department shall allow an intermediate district to submit a consortium application on behalf of 2 or more districts with the agreement of those districts as appropriate according to federal rules and guidelines.

(5) As used in this section:

(a) “DED” means the United States Department of Education.

(b) “DED-OESE” means the DED Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(d) “HHS” means the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

(e) “HHS-SAMHSA” means the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Sec. 41. From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,200,000.00 for 2015-2016 to applicant districts and intermediate districts offering programs of instruction for pupils of limited English-speaking ability under section 1153 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1153. Reimbursement shall be on a per-pupil basis and shall be based on the number of pupils of limited English-speaking ability in membership on the pupil membership count day. Funds allocated under this section shall be used solely for instruction in speaking, reading, writing, or comprehension of English. A pupil shall not be counted under this section or instructed in a program under this section for more than 3 years.

Sec. 43. From the general fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated to the department for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $1,800,000.00 for updating teacher certification tests. The department shall use these funds to update the set of teacher certification tests, including content-specific and subject-relevant tests, to reflect current education standards by not later than September 30, 2016. This is the second year of 2 years of funding.

Sec. 51a. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $901,946,100.00 for 2014-2015 and an amount not to exceed $918,546,100.00 for 2015-2016 from state sources and all available federal funding under sections 611 to 619 of part B of the individuals with disabilities education act, 20 USC 1411 to 1419, estimated at $370,000,000.00 each fiscal year for 2014-2015 and for 2015-2016, plus any carryover federal funds from previous year appropriations. The allocations under this subsection are for the purpose of reimbursing districts and intermediate districts for special education programs, services, and special education personnel as prescribed in article 3 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1701 to 380.1766; net tuition payments made by intermediate districts to the Michigan schools for the deaf and blind; and special education programs and services for pupils who are eligible for special education programs and services according to statute or rule. For meeting the costs of special education programs and services not reimbursed under this article, a district or intermediate district may use money in general funds or special education funds, not otherwise restricted, or contributions from districts to intermediate districts, tuition payments, gifts and contributions from individuals or other entities, or federal funds that may be available for this purpose, as determined by the intermediate district plan prepared pursuant to article 3 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1701 to 380.1766. Notwithstanding section 17b, payments of federal funds to districts, intermediate districts, and other eligible entities under this section shall be paid on a schedule determined by the department.

(2) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated the amount necessary, estimated at $248,100,000.00 for 2014-2015 and estimated at $251,800,000.00 for 2015-2016, for payments toward reimbursing districts and intermediate districts for 28.6138% of total approved costs of special education, excluding costs reimbursed under section 53a, and 70.4165% of total approved costs of special education transportation. Allocations under this subsection shall be made as follows:

(a) The initial amount allocated to a district under this subsection toward fulfilling the specified percentages shall be calculated by multiplying the district’s special education pupil membership, excluding pupils described in subsection (11), times the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil’s district of residence, not to exceed the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year, or, for a special education pupil in membership in a district that is a public school academy, times an amount equal to the amount per membership pupil calculated under section 20(6) or, for a pupil described in this subsection who is counted in membership in the education achievement system, times an amount equal to the amount per membership pupil under section 20(7). For an intermediate district, the amount allocated under this subdivision toward fulfilling the specified percentages shall be an amount per special education membership pupil, excluding pupils described in subsection (11), and shall be calculated in the same manner as for a district, using the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil’s district of residence, not to exceed the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year.

(b) After the allocations under subdivision (a), districts and intermediate districts for which the payments calculated under subdivision (a) do not fulfill the specified percentages shall be paid the amount necessary to achieve the specified percentages for the district or intermediate district.

(3) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2014-2015 an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 and there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $1,300,000.00 to make payments to districts and intermediate districts under this subsection. If the amount allocated to a district or intermediate district for a fiscal year under subsection (2)(b) is less than the sum of the amounts allocated to the district or intermediate district for 1996-97 under sections 52 and 58, there is allocated to the district or intermediate district for the fiscal year an amount equal to that difference, adjusted by applying the same proration factor that was used in the distribution of funds under section 52 in 1996-97 as adjusted to the district’s or intermediate district’s necessary costs of special education used in calculations for the fiscal year. This adjustment is to reflect reductions in special education program operations or services between 1996-97 and subsequent fiscal years. Adjustments for reductions in special education program operations or services shall be made in a manner determined by the department and shall include adjustments for program or service shifts.

(4) If the department determines that the sum of the amounts allocated for a fiscal year to a district or intermediate district under subsection (2)(a) and (b) is not sufficient to fulfill the specified percentages in subsection (2), then the shortfall shall be paid to the district or intermediate district during the fiscal year beginning on the October 1 following the determination and payments under subsection (3) shall be adjusted as necessary. If the department determines that the sum of the amounts allocated for a fiscal year to a district or intermediate district under subsection (2)(a) and (b) exceeds the sum of the amount necessary to fulfill the specified percentages in subsection (2), then the department shall deduct the amount of the excess from the district’s or intermediate district’s payments under this article for the fiscal year beginning on the October 1 following the determination and payments under subsection (3) shall be adjusted as necessary. However, if the amount allocated under subsection (2)(a) in itself exceeds the amount necessary to fulfill the specified percentages in subsection (2), there shall be no deduction under this subsection.

(5) State funds shall be allocated on a total approved cost basis. Federal funds shall be allocated under applicable federal requirements, except that an amount not to exceed $3,500,000.00 may be allocated by the department each fiscal year for 2014-2015 and for 2015-2016 to districts, intermediate districts, or other eligible entities on a competitive grant basis for programs, equipment, and services that the department determines to be designed to benefit or improve special education on a statewide scale.

(6) From the amount allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $2,200,000.00 each fiscal year for 2014-2015 and for 2015-2016 to reimburse 100% of the net increase in necessary costs incurred by a district or intermediate district in implementing the revisions in the administrative rules for special education that became effective on July 1, 1987. As used in this subsection, “net increase in necessary costs” means the necessary additional costs incurred solely because of new or revised requirements in the administrative rules minus cost savings permitted in implementing the revised rules. Net increase in necessary costs shall be determined in a manner specified by the department.

(7) For purposes of sections 51a to 58, all of the following apply:

(a) “Total approved costs of special education” shall be determined in a manner specified by the department and may include indirect costs, but shall not exceed 115% of approved direct costs for section 52 and section 53a programs. The total approved costs include salary and other compensation for all approved special education personnel for the program, including payments for social security and Medicare and public school employee retirement system contributions. The total approved costs do not include salaries or other compensation paid to administrative personnel who are not special education personnel as defined in section 6 of the revised school code, MCL 380.6. Costs reimbursed by federal funds, other than those federal funds included in the allocation made under this article, are not included. Special education approved personnel not utilized full time in the evaluation of students or in the delivery of special education programs, ancillary, and other related services shall be reimbursed under this section only for that portion of time actually spent providing these programs and services, with the exception of special education programs and services provided to youth placed in child caring institutions or juvenile detention programs approved by the department to provide an on-grounds education program.

(b) Beginning with the 2004-2005 fiscal year, a district or intermediate district that employed special education support services staff to provide special education support services in 2003-2004 or in a subsequent fiscal year and that in a fiscal year after 2003-2004 receives the same type of support services from another district or intermediate district shall report the cost of those support services for special education reimbursement purposes under this article. This subdivision does not prohibit the transfer of special education classroom teachers and special education classroom aides if the pupils counted in membership associated with those special education classroom teachers and special education classroom aides are transferred and counted in membership in the other district or intermediate district in conjunction with the transfer of those teachers and aides.

(c) If the department determines before bookclosing for a fiscal year that the amounts allocated for that fiscal year under subsections (2), (3), (6), and (11) and sections 53a, 54, and 56 will exceed expenditures for that fiscal year under subsections (2), (3), (6), and (11) and sections 53a, 54, and 56, then for a district or intermediate district whose reimbursement for that fiscal year would otherwise be affected by subdivision (b), subdivision (b) does not apply to the calculation of the reimbursement for that district or intermediate district and reimbursement for that district or intermediate district shall be calculated in the same manner as it was for 2003-2004. If the amount of the excess allocations under subsections (2), (3), (6), and (11) and sections 53a, 54, and 56 is not sufficient to fully fund the calculation of reimbursement to those districts and intermediate districts under this subdivision, then the calculations and resulting reimbursement under this subdivision shall be prorated on an equal percentage basis. Beginning in 2015-2016, the amount of reimbursement under this subdivision for a fiscal year shall not exceed $2,000,000.00 for any district or intermediate district.

(d) Reimbursement for ancillary and other related services, as defined by R 340.1701c of the Michigan administrative code, shall not be provided when those services are covered by and available through private group health insurance carriers or federal reimbursed program sources unless the department and district or intermediate district agree otherwise and that agreement is approved by the state budget director. Expenses, other than the incidental expense of filing, shall not be borne by the parent. In addition, the filing of claims shall not delay the education of a pupil. A district or intermediate district shall be responsible for payment of a deductible amount and for an advance payment required until the time a claim is paid.

(e) Beginning with calculations for 2004-2005, if an intermediate district purchases a special education pupil transportation service from a constituent district that was previously purchased from a private entity; if the purchase from the constituent district is at a lower cost, adjusted for changes in fuel costs; and if the cost shift from the intermediate district to the constituent does not result in any net change in the revenue the constituent district receives from payments under sections 22b and 51c, then upon application by the intermediate district, the department shall direct the intermediate district to continue to report the cost associated with the specific identified special education pupil transportation service and shall adjust the costs reported by the constituent district to remove the cost associated with that specific service.

(8) A pupil who is enrolled in a full-time special education program conducted or administered by an intermediate district or a pupil who is enrolled in the Michigan schools for the deaf and blind shall not be included in the membership count of a district, but shall be counted in membership in the intermediate district of residence.

(9) Special education personnel transferred from 1 district to another to implement the revised school code shall be entitled to the rights, benefits, and tenure to which the person would otherwise be entitled had that person been employed by the receiving district originally.

(10) If a district or intermediate district uses money received under this section for a purpose other than the purpose or purposes for which the money is allocated, the department may require the district or intermediate district to refund the amount of money received. Money that is refunded shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the state school aid fund.

(11) From the funds allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated the amount necessary, estimated at $3,400,000.00 for 2014-2015 and estimated at $3,300,000.00 for 2015-2016, to pay the foundation allowances for pupils described in this subsection. The allocation to a district under this subsection shall be calculated by multiplying the number of pupils described in this subsection who are counted in membership in the district times the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil’s district of residence, not to exceed the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year, or, for a pupil described in this subsection who is counted in membership in a district that is a public school academy, times an amount equal to the amount per membership pupil under section 20(6) or, for a pupil described in this subsection who is counted in membership in the education achievement system, times an amount equal to the amount per membership pupil under section 20(7). The allocation to an intermediate district under this subsection shall be calculated in the same manner as for a district, using the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil’s district of residence, not to exceed the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year. This subsection applies to all of the following pupils:

(a) Pupils described in section 53a.

(b) Pupils counted in membership in an intermediate district who are not special education pupils and are served by the intermediate district in a juvenile detention or child caring facility.

(c) Pupils with an emotional impairment counted in membership by an intermediate district and provided educational services by the department of health and human services.

(12) If it is determined that funds allocated under subsection (2) or (11) or under section 51c will not be expended, funds up to the amount necessary and available may be used to supplement the allocations under subsection (2) or (11) or under section 51c in order to fully fund those allocations. After payments under subsections (2) and (11) and section 51c, the remaining expenditures from the allocation in subsection (1) shall be made in the following order:

(a) 100% of the reimbursement required under section 53a.

(b) 100% of the reimbursement required under subsection (6).

(d) 100% of the payment required under subsection (3).

(e) 100% of the payments under section 56.

(13) The allocations under subsections (2), (3), and (11) shall be allocations to intermediate districts only and shall not be allocations to districts, but instead shall be calculations used only to determine the state payments under section 22b.

(14) If a public school academy enrolls pursuant to this section a pupil who resides outside of the intermediate district in which the public school academy is located and who is eligible for special education programs and services according to statute or rule, or who is a child with disabilities, as defined under the individuals with disabilities education act, Public Law 108-446, the provision of special education programs and services and the payment of the added costs of special education programs and services for the pupil are the responsibility of the district and intermediate district in which the pupil resides unless the enrolling district or intermediate district has a written agreement with the district or intermediate district in which the pupil resides or the public school academy for the purpose of providing the pupil with a free appropriate public education and the written agreement includes at least an agreement on the responsibility for the payment of the added costs of special education programs and services for the pupil.

(15) It is the intent of the legislature that, beginning in 2016-2017, a district, public school academy, or intermediate district that fails to comply with subsection (14) or with the requirements of federal regulations regarding the treatment of public school academies and public school academy pupils for the purposes of special education, 34 CFR 300.209, forfeits from its total state aid an amount equal to 10% of its total state aid.

Sec. 51c. As required by the court in the consolidated cases known as Durant v State of Michigan, Michigan supreme court docket no. 104458-104492, from the allocation under section 51a(1), there is allocated each fiscal year for 2014-2015 and for 2015-2016 the amount necessary, estimated at $597,300,000.00 for 2014-2015 and estimated at $610,000,000.00 for 2015-2016, for payments to reimburse districts for 28.6138% of total approved costs of special education excluding costs reimbursed under section 53a, and 70.4165% of total approved costs of special education transportation. Funds allocated under this section that are not expended in the state fiscal year for which they were allocated, as determined by the department, may be used to supplement the allocations under sections 22a and 22b in order to fully fund those calculated allocations for the same fiscal year.

Sec. 51d. (1) From the federal funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016, all available federal funding, estimated at $71,000,000.00, for special education programs and services that are funded by federal grants. All federal funds allocated under this section shall be distributed in accordance with federal law. Notwithstanding section 17b, payments of federal funds to districts, intermediate districts, and other eligible entities under this section shall be paid on a schedule determined by the department.

(2) From the federal funds allocated under subsection (1), the following amounts are allocated for 2015-2016:

(a) An amount estimated at $14,000,000.00 for handicapped infants and toddlers, funded from DED-OSERS, handicapped infants and toddlers funds.

(b) An amount estimated at $12,000,000.00 for preschool grants (Public Law 94-142), funded from DED-OSERS, handicapped preschool incentive funds.

(c) An amount estimated at $45,000,000.00 for special education programs funded by DED-OSERS, handicapped program, individuals with disabilities act funds.

(3) As used in this section, “DED-OSERS” means the United States Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Sec. 53a. (1) For districts, reimbursement for pupils described in subsection (2) shall be 100% of the total approved costs of operating special education programs and services approved by the department and included in the intermediate district plan adopted pursuant to article 3 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1701 to 380.1766, minus the district’s foundation allowance calculated under section 20. For intermediate districts, reimbursement for pupils described in subsection (2) shall be calculated in the same manner as for a district, using the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil’s district of residence, not to exceed the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year.

(2) Reimbursement under subsection (1) is for the following special education pupils:

(a) Pupils assigned to a district or intermediate district through the community placement program of the courts or a state agency, if the pupil was a resident of another intermediate district at the time the pupil came under the jurisdiction of the court or a state agency.

(b) Pupils who are residents of institutions operated by the department of health and human services.

(c) Pupils who are former residents of department of community health institutions for the developmentally disabled who are placed in community settings other than the pupil’s home.

(d) Pupils enrolled in a department-approved on-grounds educational program longer than 180 days, but not longer than 233 days, at a residential child care institution, if the child care institution offered in 1991-92 an on-grounds educational program longer than 180 days but not longer than 233 days.

(e) Pupils placed in a district by a parent for the purpose of seeking a suitable home, if the parent does not reside in the same intermediate district as the district in which the pupil is placed.

(3) Only those costs that are clearly and directly attributable to educational programs for pupils described in subsection (2), and that would not have been incurred if the pupils were not being educated in a district or intermediate district, are reimbursable under this section.

(4) The costs of transportation shall be funded under this section and shall not be reimbursed under section 58.

(5) Not more than $10,500,000.00 of the allocation for 2015-2016 in section 51a(1) shall be allocated under this section.

Sec. 54. Each intermediate district shall receive an amount per-pupil for each pupil in attendance at the Michigan schools for the deaf and blind. The amount shall be proportionate to the total instructional cost at each school. Not more than $1,688,000.00 of the allocation for 2015-2016 in section 51a(1) shall be allocated under this section.

Sec. 55. (1) From the money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 for 2015-2016 to Michigan State University, Department of Epidemiology, for a study of the Conductive Learning Center located at Aquinas College. This funding shall be used to develop and implement an evaluation of the effectiveness of conductive education for children with cerebral palsy. The evaluation shall be multidimensional and shall include a control group of children with cerebral palsy not enrolled in conductive education. It should include an assessment of the motor system itself as well as the impact of conductive education on each of the following:

(a) The acquisition of skills permitting complex motor functions.

(b) The performance of tasks essential to daily living.

(d) The long-term need for special education for children with cerebral palsy.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature that this funding is for the first of 2 years of funding for this purpose.

Sec. 56. (1) For the purposes of this section:

(b) “Millage levied” means the millage levied for special education pursuant to part 30 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1711 to 380.1743, including a levy for debt service obligations.

(c) “Taxable value” means the total taxable value of the districts constituent to an intermediate district, except that if a district has elected not to come under part 30 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1711 to 380.1743, membership and taxable value of the district shall not be included in the membership and taxable value of the intermediate district.

(2) From the allocation under section 51a(1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $37,758,100.00 for 2015-2016 to reimburse intermediate districts levying millages for special education pursuant to part 30 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1711 to 380.1743. The purpose, use, and expenditure of the reimbursement shall be limited as if the funds were generated by these millages and governed by the intermediate district plan adopted pursuant to article 3 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1701 to 380.1766. As a condition of receiving funds under this section, an intermediate district distributing any portion of special education millage funds to its constituent districts shall submit for departmental approval and implement a distribution plan.

(3) Reimbursement for those millages levied in 2014-2015 shall be made in 2015-2016 at an amount per 2014-2015 membership pupil computed by subtracting from $174,400.00 the 2014-2015 taxable value behind each membership pupil and multiplying the resulting difference by the 2014-2015 millage levied.

(4) The amount paid to a single intermediate district under this section shall not exceed 62.9% of the total amount allocated under subsection (2).

(5) The amount paid to a single intermediate district under this section shall not be less than 75% of the amount allocated to the intermediate district under this section for the immediately preceding fiscal year.

Sec. 61a. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $36,611,300.00 for 2015‑2016 to reimburse on an added cost basis districts, except for a district that served as the fiscal agent for a vocational education consortium in the 1993-94 school year, and secondary area vocational-technical education centers for secondary-level career and technical education programs according to rules approved by the superintendent. Applications for participation in the programs shall be submitted in the form prescribed by the department. The department shall determine the added cost for each career and technical education program area. The allocation of added cost funds shall be prioritized based on the capital and program expenditures needed to operate the career and technical education programs provided; the number of pupils enrolled; the advancement of pupils through the instructional program; the existence of an articulation agreement with at least 1 postsecondary institution that provides pupils with opportunities to earn postsecondary credit during the pupil’s participation in the career and technical education program and transfers those credits to the postsecondary institution upon completion of the career and technical education program; the program rank in student placement, job openings, and wages; and the length of the training period provided, and shall not exceed 75% of the added cost of any program. Notwithstanding any rule or department determination to the contrary, when determining a district’s allocation or the formula for making allocations under this section, the department shall include the participation of pupils in grade 9 in all of those determinations and in all portions of the formula. With the approval of the department, the board of a district maintaining a secondary career and technical education program may offer the program for the period from the close of the school year until September 1. The program shall use existing facilities and shall be operated as prescribed by rules promulgated by the superintendent.

(2) Except for a district that served as the fiscal agent for a vocational education consortium in the 1993-94 school year, districts and intermediate districts shall be reimbursed for local career and technical education administration, shared time career and technical education administration, and career education planning district career and technical education administration. The definition of what constitutes administration and reimbursement shall be pursuant to guidelines adopted by the superintendent. Not more than $800,000.00 of the allocation in subsection (1) shall be distributed under this subsection.

(3) A career and technical education program funded under this section may provide an opportunity for participants who are eligible to be funded under section 107 to enroll in the career and technical education program funded under this section if the participation does not occur during regular school hours.

Sec. 61b. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00 for 2015‑2016 for CTE early/middle college programs authorized under this section. The purpose of these programs is to increase the number of Michigan residents with high-quality degrees or credentials, and to increase the number of students who are college and career ready upon high school graduation.

(2) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), an amount as determined under this subsection shall be allocated to each intermediate district serving as a fiscal agent for state-approved CTE early/middle college programs in each of the prosperity regions and subregions identified by the department. An intermediate district shall not use more than 5% of the funds allocated under this subsection for administrative costs for serving as the fiscal agent.

(3) To be an eligible fiscal agent, an intermediate district must agree to do all of the following in a form and manner determined by the department:

(a) Distribute funds to eligible CTE early/middle college programs in a prosperity region or subregion as described in this section.

(b) Collaborate with the talent district career council that is located in the prosperity region or subregion to develop a regional strategic plan under subsection (4) that aligns CTE programs and services into an efficient and effective delivery system for high school students.

(c) Implement a regional process to rank career clusters in the prosperity region or subregion as described under subsection (4). Regional processes shall be approved by the department before the ranking of career clusters.

(d) Report CTE early/middle college program and student data and information as prescribed by the department.

(4) A regional strategic plan must be approved by the talent district career council before submission to the department. A regional strategic plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) An identification of regional employer need based on a ranking of all career clusters in the prosperity region or subregion ranked by 10-year job openings projections and median wage for each standard occupational code in each career cluster as obtained from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Standard occupational codes within high-ranking clusters also may be further ranked by median wage. The rankings shall be reviewed by the talent district career council located in the prosperity region or subregion and modified if necessary to accurately reflect employer demand for talent in the prosperity region or subregion. These career cluster rankings shall be determined and updated once every 3 years.

(b) An identification of educational entities in the prosperity region or subregion that will provide eligible CTE early/middle college programs including districts, intermediate districts, postsecondary institutions, and noncredit occupational training programs leading to an industry-recognized credential.

(c) A strategy to inform parents and students of CTE early/middle college programs in the prosperity region or subregion.

(d) Any other requirements as defined by the department.

(5) An eligible CTE early/middle college program is a 5-year high school program that meets all of the following:

(a) Has been identified in the highest 5 career cluster rankings in any of the 10 regional strategic plans jointly approved by the Michigan talent investment agency in the department of talent and economic development and the department.

(b) Has a coherent sequence of courses that will allow a student to earn a high school diploma and achieve at least 1 of the following in a specific career cluster:

(i) An associate degree.

(ii) An industry-recognized technical certification approved by the Michigan talent investment agency in the department of talent and economic development.

(iii) Up to 60 transferable college credits.

(iv) Participation in a registered apprenticeship.

(d) Has an articulation agreement with at least 1 postsecondary institution that provides students with opportunities to receive postsecondary credits during the student’s participation in the CTE early/middle college program and transfers those credits to the postsecondary institution upon completion of the CTE early/middle college program.

(e) Provides instruction that is supervised, directed, or coordinated by an appropriately certificated CTE teacher or, for concurrent enrollment courses, a postsecondary faculty member.

(f) Provides for highly integrated student support services that include at least the following:

(i) Teachers as academic advisors.

(ii) Supervised course selection.

(iii) Monitoring of student progress and completion.

(iv) Career planning services provided by a local one-stop service center as described in the Michigan works one-stop service center system act, 2006 PA 491, MCL 408.111 to 408.135, or by a high school counselor or advisor.

(g) Has courses that are taught on a college campus, are college courses offered at the high school and taught by college faculty, or are courses taught in combination with online instruction.

(6) Funds to eligible CTE early/middle college programs shall be distributed as follows:

(a) The department shall calculate statewide average CTE costs per full-time equated pupil for each career cluster by dividing total prior year statewide costs for each career cluster by prior year full-time equated pupils for each career cluster.

(b) Distribution to each eligible CTE early/middle college program shall be the product of 50% of CTE costs per full-time equated pupil times the current year full-time equated pupil enrollment of each career cluster in an eligible CTE early/middle college program.

(7) In order to receive funds under this section, a CTE early/middle college program shall furnish to the intermediate district that is the fiscal agent identified in subsection (1), in a form and manner determined by the department, all information needed to administer this program and meet federal reporting requirements; shall allow the department or the department’s designee to review all records related to the program for which it receives funds; and shall reimburse the state for all disallowances found in the review, as determined by the department.

(8) Funds distributed under this section may be used to fund program expenditures that would otherwise be paid from foundation allowances. A program provider shall not use more than 5% of the funds allocated under this section to the program for administrative costs.

(9) If the allocation under subsection (1) is insufficient to fully fund payments as otherwise calculated under this section, the department shall prorate payments under this section on an equal percentage basis.

(10) If pupils enrolled in a career cluster in an eligible CTE early/middle college program qualify to be reimbursed under this section, those pupils continue to qualify for reimbursement until graduation, even if the career cluster is no longer identified as being in the highest 5 career cluster rankings.

(11) As used in this section:

(a) “Allowable costs” means those costs directly attributable to the program as jointly determined by the Michigan talent investment agency and the department.

(b) “CTE” means career and technical education.

(c) “Talent district career council” means an advisory council to the local workforce development boards located in a prosperity region consisting of educational, employer, labor, and parent representatives.

Sec. 62. (1) For the purposes of this section:

(a) “Membership” means for a particular fiscal year the total membership for the immediately preceding fiscal year of the intermediate district and the districts constituent to the intermediate district or the total membership for the immediately preceding fiscal year of the area vocational-technical program.

(b) “Millage levied” means the millage levied for area vocational-technical education pursuant to sections 681 to 690 of the revised school code, MCL 380.681 to 380.690, including a levy for debt service obligations incurred as the result of borrowing for capital outlay projects and in meeting capital projects fund requirements of area vocational-technical education.

(c) “Taxable value” means the total taxable value of the districts constituent to an intermediate district or area vocational-technical education program, except that if a district has elected not to come under sections 681 to 690 of the revised school code, MCL 380.681 to 380.690, the membership and taxable value of that district shall not be included in the membership and taxable value of the intermediate district. However, the membership and taxable value of a district that has elected not to come under sections 681 to 690 of the revised school code, MCL 380.681 to 380.690, shall be included in the membership and taxable value of the intermediate district if the district meets both of the following:

(i) The district operates the area vocational-technical education program pursuant to a contract with the intermediate district.

(ii) The district contributes an annual amount to the operation of the program that is commensurate with the revenue that would have been raised for operation of the program if millage were levied in the district for the program under sections 681 to 690 of the revised school code, MCL 380.681 to 380.690.

(2) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $9,190,000.00 for 2015-2016 to reimburse intermediate districts and area vocational-technical education programs established under section 690(3) of the revised school code, MCL 380.690, levying millages for area vocational-technical education pursuant to sections 681 to 690 of the revised school code, MCL 380.681 to 380.690. The purpose, use, and expenditure of the reimbursement shall be limited as if the funds were generated by those millages.

(3) Reimbursement for the millages levied in 2014-2015 shall be made in 2015-2016 at an amount per 2014-2015 membership pupil computed by subtracting from $189,400.00 the 2014-2015 taxable value behind each membership pupil and multiplying the resulting difference by the 2014-2015 millage levied.

(4) The amount paid to a single intermediate district under this section shall not exceed 38.4% of the total amount allocated under subsection (2).

Sec. 64b. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,750,000.00 for 2015‑2016 for supplemental payments to districts that support the attendance of district pupils in grades 9 to 12 under the postsecondary enrollment options act, 1996 PA 160, MCL 388.511 to 388.524, or under the career and technical preparation act, 2000 PA 258, MCL 388.1901 to 388.1913, consistent with section 21b, or that support the attendance of district pupils in a concurrent enrollment program if the district meets the requirements under subsection (3). Programs funded under this section are intended to increase the number of pupils who are college- and career-ready upon high school graduation.

(2) To be eligible for payments under this section for supporting the attendance of district pupils under the postsecondary enrollment options act, 1996 PA 160, MCL 388.511 to 388.524, or under the career and technical preparation act, 2000 PA 258, MCL 388.1901 to 388.1913, a district shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide information to all high school pupils on postsecondary enrollment options, including enrollment eligibility, the institutions and types of courses that are eligible for participation, the decision-making process for granting academic credit, and an explanation of eligible charges that will be paid by the district.

(b) Enter into a written agreement with a postsecondary institution before the enrollment of district pupils.

(d) Award high school credit for the postsecondary course if the pupil successfully completes the course.

(3) To be eligible for payments under this section for pupils enrolled in a concurrent enrollment program, a district shall do all of the following:

(b) Enter into a written agreement with a postsecondary institution establishing the concurrent enrollment program before the enrollment of district pupils in a postsecondary course through the postsecondary institution.

(c) Ensure that the course is taught by either a high school teacher or postsecondary faculty pursuant to standards established by the postsecondary institution with which the district has entered into a written agreement to operate the concurrent enrollment program.

(d) Ensure that the written agreement provides that the postsecondary institution agrees not to charge the pupil for any cost of the program.

(e) Ensure that the course is taught in the local district or intermediate district.

(f) Ensure that the pupil is awarded both high school and college credit at any community college or state public university in this state upon successful completion of the course as outlined in the agreement with the postsecondary institution.

(4) Funds shall be awarded to eligible districts under this section in the following manner:

(a) A payment of $10.00 per credit, for up to 3 credits, for a credit-bearing course in which a pupil enrolls during the 2015-2016 school year as described under either subsection (2) or (3).

(b) An additional payment of $30.00 per-pupil per course identified in subdivision (a), if the pupil successfully completes, and is awarded both high school and postsecondary credit for, the course during the 2015-2016 school year.

(5) A district requesting payment under this section shall submit an application to the department in the form and manner prescribed by the department. Notwithstanding section 17b, payments under this section shall be made on a schedule determined by the department.

Sec. 65. (1) From the general fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $340,000.00 for 2015-2016 for a pre-college engineering K-12 educational program that is focused on the development of a diverse future Michigan workforce, that serves multiple communities within southeast Michigan, that enrolls pupils from multiple districts, and that received funds appropriated for this purpose in the appropriations act that provided the Michigan strategic fund budget for 2014-2015.

(2) To be eligible for funding under this section, a program must have the ability to expose pupils to, and motivate and prepare pupils for, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers and postsecondary education with special attention given to groups of pupils who are at-risk and underrepresented in technical professions and careers.

Sec. 67. (1) From the general fund amount appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $3,600,000.00 for 2015-2016 for college and career preparation activities. The programs funded under this section are intended to inform students of college and career options and to provide a wide array of tools and resources intended to increase the number of pupils who are adequately prepared with the information needed to make informed decisions on college and career. The funds appropriated under this section are intended to be used to increase the number of Michigan residents with high-quality degrees or credentials. Funds appropriated under this section shall not be used to supplant funding for counselors already funded by districts.

(2) From the amount allocated in subsection (1), an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.00 shall be used for the college access program. The talent investment agency of the department of talent and economic development shall administer these funds in collaboration with the Michigan college access network. These funds may be used for any of the following purposes:

(a) Michigan college access network operations, programming, and services to local college access networks.

(b) Local college access networks, which are community-based college access/success partnerships committed to increasing the college participation and completion rates within geographically defined communities through a coordinated strategy.

(c) The Michigan college advising program, a program intended to place trained, recently graduated college advisors in high schools that serve significant numbers of low-income and first-generation college-going pupils. State funds used for this purpose may not exceed 33% of the total funds available under this subsection.

(d) Subgrants of up to $5,000.00 to districts with comprehensive high schools that establish a college access team and implement specific strategies to create a college-going culture in a high school in a form and manner approved by the Michigan college access network and the Michigan talent investment agency.

(e) The Michigan college access portal, an online one-stop portal to help pupils and families plan and apply for college.

(f) Public awareness and outreach campaigns to encourage low-income and first-generation college-going pupils to take necessary steps toward college and to assist pupils and families in completing a timely and accurate free application for federal student aid.

(g) Subgrants to postsecondary institutions to recruit, hire, and train college student mentors and college advisors to assist high school pupils in navigating the postsecondary planning and enrollment process.

(3) From the amount allocated in subsection (1), an amount not to exceed $600,000.00 shall be used for the purposes of this subsection. The talent investment agency of the department of talent and economic development shall administer these funds in collaboration with the Michigan college access network and the Michigan Virtual University to provide all of the following:

(a) A pilot outreach program to provide information to pupils, parents, and educators on dual enrollment and other opportunities available to high school pupils to earn postsecondary credits, industry-recognized technical certifications, and participation in registered apprenticeships at no cost.

(b) An online career planning tool that meets all of the following:

(i) Helps pupils create educational development plans before starting high school.

(ii) Provides information to pupils allowing them to make more informed choices about career and education options.

(iii) Is available to pupils at no cost.

(4) For the purposes of this section, “college” means any postsecondary educational opportunity that leads to a career, including, but not limited to, a postsecondary degree, industry-recognized technical certification, or registered apprenticeship.

Sec. 74. (1) From the amount appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $3,315,700.00 for 2015-2016 for the purposes of this section.

(2) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated for each fiscal year the amount necessary for payments to state supported colleges or universities and intermediate districts providing school bus driver safety instruction pursuant to section 51 of the pupil transportation act, 1990 PA 187, MCL 257.1851. The payments shall be in an amount determined by the department not to exceed the actual cost of instruction and driver compensation for each public or nonpublic school bus driver attending a course of instruction. For the purpose of computing compensation, the hourly rate allowed each school bus driver shall not exceed the hourly rate received for driving a school bus. Reimbursement compensating the driver during the course of instruction shall be made by the department to the college or university or intermediate district providing the course of instruction.

(3) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 the amount necessary to pay the reasonable costs of nonspecial education auxiliary services transportation provided pursuant to section 1323 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1323. Districts funded under this subsection shall not receive funding under any other section of this article for nonspecial education auxiliary services transportation.

(4) From the funds allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,690,700.00 for 2015-2016 for reimbursement to districts and intermediate districts for costs associated with the inspection of school buses and pupil transportation vehicles by the department of state police as required under section 715a of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.715a, and section 39 of the pupil transportation act, 1990 PA 187, MCL 257.1839. The department of state police shall prepare a statement of costs attributable to each district for which bus inspections are provided and submit it to the department and to an intermediate district serving as fiduciary in a time and manner determined jointly by the department and the department of state police. Upon review and approval of the statement of cost, the department shall forward to the designated intermediate district serving as fiduciary the amount of the reimbursement on behalf of each district and intermediate district for costs detailed on the statement within 45 days after receipt of the statement. The designated intermediate district shall make payment in the amount specified on the statement to the department of state police within 45 days after receipt of the statement. The total reimbursement of costs under this subsection shall not exceed the amount allocated under this subsection. Notwithstanding section 17b, payments to eligible entities under this subsection shall be paid on a schedule prescribed by the department.

Sec. 77. (1) If a district is educating all of the high school pupils who are counted in membership in another district pursuant to an agreement between the 2 districts and if the educating district provides transportation for its own resident high school pupils, the educating district shall use state school aid under this article to provide transportation to and from school for normal curricular activities for those high school pupils who reside in the other district.

(2) Subsection (1) does not require the educating district to provide transportation for a nonresident pupil for any extracurricular or athletic activity in which the pupil participates.

Sec. 81. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 to the intermediate districts the sum necessary, but not to exceed $67,108,000.00 to provide state aid to intermediate districts under this section.

(2) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $67,108,000.00 for allocations to each intermediate district in an amount equal to 103.1% of the amount allocated to the intermediate district under this subsection for 2014-2015. Funding provided under this section shall be used to comply with requirements of this article and the revised school code that are applicable to intermediate districts, and for which funding is not provided elsewhere in this article, and to provide technical assistance to districts as authorized by the intermediate school board.

(3) Intermediate districts receiving funds under subsection (2) shall collaborate with the department to develop expanded professional development opportunities for teachers to update and expand their knowledge and skills needed to support the Michigan merit curriculum.

(4) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated to an intermediate district, formed by the consolidation or annexation of 2 or more intermediate districts or the attachment of a total intermediate district to another intermediate school district or the annexation of all of the constituent K-12 districts of a previously existing intermediate school district which has disorganized, an additional allotment of $3,500.00 each fiscal year for each intermediate district included in the new intermediate district for 3 years following consolidation, annexation, or attachment.

(5) In order to receive funding under subsection (2), an intermediate district shall do all of the following:

(a) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that the intermediate district employs at least 1 person who is trained in pupil accounting and auditing procedures, rules, and regulations.

(b) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that the intermediate district employs at least 1 person who is trained in rules, regulations, and district reporting procedures for the individual-level student data that serves as the basis for the calculation of the district and high school graduation and dropout rates.

(d) Furnish data and other information required by state and federal law to the center and the department in the form and manner specified by the center or the department, as applicable.

(e) Comply with section 1230g of the revised school code, MCL 380.1230g.

(f) Comply with section 761 of the revised school code, MCL 380.761.

Sec. 94. (1) From the general fund appropriation in section 11, there is allocated to the department for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 for efforts to increase the number of pupils who participate and succeed in advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs.

(2) From the funds allocated under this section, the department shall award funds to cover all or part of the costs of advanced placement test fees or international baccalaureate test fees for low-income pupils who take an advanced placement or an international baccalaureate test. Payments shall not exceed $20.00 per test completed.

(3) The department shall only award funds under this section if the department determines that all of the following criteria are met:

(a) Each pupil for whom payment is made meets eligibility requirements of the federal advanced placement test fee program under section 1701 of the no child left behind act of 2001, Public Law 107-110.

(b) The tests are administered by the college board, the international baccalaureate organization, or another test provider approved by the department.

(4) The department shall establish procedures for awarding funds under this section.

(5) Notwithstanding section 17b, payments under this section shall be made on a schedule determined by the department.

Sec. 94a. (1) There is created within the state budget office in the department of technology, management, and budget the center for educational performance and information. The center shall do all of the following:

(a) Coordinate the collection of all data required by state and federal law from districts, intermediate districts, and postsecondary institutions.

(b) Create, maintain, and enhance this state’s P-20 longitudinal data system and ensure that it meets the requirements of subsection (4).

(c) Collect data in the most efficient manner possible in order to reduce the administrative burden on reporting entities, including, but not limited to, electronic transcript services.

(d) Create, maintain, and enhance this state’s web-based educational portal to provide information to school leaders, teachers, researchers, and the public in compliance with all federal and state privacy laws. Data shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(i) Data sets that link teachers to student information, allowing districts to assess individual teacher impact on student performance and consider student growth factors in teacher and principal evaluation systems.

(ii) Data access or, if practical, data sets, provided for regional data warehouses that, in combination with local data, can improve teaching and learning in the classroom.

(iii) Research-ready data sets for researchers to perform research that advances this state’s educational performance.

(e) Provide data in a useful manner to allow state and local policymakers to make informed policy decisions.

(f) Provide public reports to the citizens of this state to allow them to assess allocation of resources and the return on their investment in the education system of this state.

(g) Other functions as assigned by the state budget director.

(2) Each state department, officer, or agency that collects information from districts, intermediate districts, or postsecondary institutions as required under state or federal law shall make arrangements with the center to ensure that the state department, officer, or agency is in compliance with subsection (1). This subsection does not apply to information collected by the department of treasury under the uniform budgeting and accounting act, 1968 PA 2, MCL 141.421 to 141.440a; the revised municipal finance act, 2001 PA 34, MCL 141.2101 to 141.2821; the school bond qualification, approval, and loan act, 2005 PA 92, MCL 388.1921 to 388.1939; or section 1351a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1351a.

(3) The center may enter into any interlocal agreements necessary to fulfill its functions.

(4) The center shall ensure that the P-20 longitudinal data system required under subsection (1)(b) meets all of the following:

(a) Includes data at the individual student level from preschool through postsecondary education and into the workforce.

(b) Supports interoperability by using standard data structures, data formats, and data definitions to ensure linkage and connectivity in a manner that facilitates the exchange of data among agencies and institutions within the state and between states.

(c) Enables the matching of individual teacher and student records so that an individual student may be matched with those teachers providing instruction to that student.

(d) Enables the matching of individual teachers with information about their certification and the institutions that prepared and recommended those teachers for state certification.

(e) Enables data to be easily generated for continuous improvement and decision-making, including timely reporting to parents, teachers, and school leaders on student achievement.

(f) Ensures the reasonable quality, validity, and reliability of data contained in the system.

(g) Provides this state with the ability to meet federal and state reporting requirements.

(h) For data elements related to preschool through grade 12 and postsecondary, meets all of the following:

(i) Contains a unique statewide student identifier that does not permit a student to be individually identified by users of the system, except as allowed by federal and state law.

(ii) Contains student-level enrollment, demographic, and program participation information.

(iii) Contains student-level information about the points at which students exit, transfer in, transfer out, drop out, or complete education programs.

(iv) Has the capacity to communicate with higher education data systems.

(i) For data elements related to preschool through grade 12 only, meets all of the following:

(i) Contains yearly test records of individual students for assessments approved by DED-OESE for accountability purposes under section 1111(b) of the elementary and secondary education act of 1965, 20 USC 6311, including information on individual students not tested, by grade and subject.

(ii) Contains student-level transcript information, including information on courses completed and grades earned.

(iii) Contains student-level college readiness test scores.

(j) For data elements related to postsecondary education only:

(i) Contains data that provide information regarding the extent to which individual students transition successfully from secondary school to postsecondary education, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Enrollment in remedial coursework.

(B) Completion of 1 year’s worth of college credit applicable to a degree within 2 years of enrollment.

(ii) Contains data that provide other information determined necessary to address alignment and adequate preparation for success in postsecondary education.

(5) From the general fund appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $11,967,000.00 for 2015-2016 to the department of technology, management, and budget to support the operations of the center. In addition, from the federal funds appropriated in section 11 there is allocated for 2015-2016 the amount necessary, estimated at $193,500.00, to support the operations of the center and to establish a P-20 longitudinal data system necessary for state and federal reporting purposes. The center shall cooperate with the department to ensure that this state is in compliance with federal law and is maximizing opportunities for increased federal funding to improve education in this state.

(6) From the funds allocated in subsection (5), the center may use an amount determined by the center for competitive grants for 2015-2016 to support collaborative efforts on the P-20 longitudinal data system. All of the following apply to grants awarded under this subsection:

(a) The center shall award competitive grants to eligible intermediate districts or a consortium of intermediate districts based on criteria established by the center.

(b) Activities funded under the grant shall support the P-20 longitudinal data system portal and may include portal hosting, hardware and software acquisition, maintenance, enhancements, user support and related materials, and professional learning tools and activities aimed at improving the utility of the P-20 longitudinal data system.

(c) An applicant that received a grant under this subsection for the immediately preceding fiscal year shall receive priority for funding under this section. However, after 3 fiscal years of continuous funding, an applicant is required to compete openly with new applicants.

(7) Funds allocated under this section that are not expended in the fiscal year in which they were allocated may be carried forward to a subsequent fiscal year and are appropriated for the purposes for which the funds were originally allocated.

(8) The center may bill departments as necessary in order to fulfill reporting requirements of state and federal law. The center may also enter into agreements to supply custom data, analysis, and reporting to other principal executive departments, state agencies, local units of government, and other individuals and organizations. The center may receive and expend funds in addition to those authorized in subsection (5) to cover the costs associated with salaries, benefits, supplies, materials, and equipment necessary to provide such data, analysis, and reporting services.

(9) As used in this section:

(a) “DED-OESE” means the United States Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(b) “State education agency” means the department.

Sec. 95a. (1) The educator evaluation reserve fund is created as a separate account within the state school aid fund.

(2) The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the educator evaluation reserve fund. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the educator evaluation reserve fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the educator evaluation reserve fund interest and earnings from the educator evaluation reserve fund.

(3) Money in the educator evaluation reserve fund at the close of the fiscal year shall remain in the educator evaluation reserve fund and shall not lapse to the state school aid fund or to the general fund. The department of treasury shall be the administrator of the educator evaluation reserve fund for auditing purposes.

(4) From the appropriations in section 11, there is allocated to the educator evaluation reserve fund for 2014-2015 an amount not to exceed $12,100,000.00 from the state school aid fund and an amount not to exceed $2,700,000.00 from the general fund. Subject to subsections (5) and (6), the department shall expend the money in the educator evaluation reserve fund for implementing evaluation systems for public school teachers and school administrators.

(5) Funds in the educator evaluation reserve fund shall not be expended unless the state budget office has approved the department’s spending plan.

Sec. 98. (1) From the general fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $7,387,500.00 for 2015-2016 for the purposes described in this section.

(2) The Michigan Virtual University shall operate the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute. The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall do all of the following:

(a) Support and accelerate innovation in education through the following activities:

(i) Test, evaluate, and recommend as appropriate new technology-based instructional tools and resources.

(ii) Research, design, and recommend digital education delivery models for use by pupils and teachers that include age-appropriate multimedia instructional content.

(iii) Research, develop, and recommend annually to the department criteria by which cyber schools and online course providers should be monitored and evaluated to ensure a quality education for their pupils.

(iv) Based on pupil completion and performance data reported to the department or the center for educational performance and information from cyber schools and other online course providers operating in this state, analyze the effectiveness of online learning delivery models in preparing pupils to be college- and career-ready and publish a report that highlights enrollment totals, completion rates, and the overall impact on pupils. The report shall be submitted to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, the state budget director, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the department not later than March 31, 2016.

(v) Before August 31, 2016, provide an extensive professional development program to at least 500 educational personnel, including teachers, school administrators, and school board members, that focuses on the effective integration of digital learning into curricula and instruction. Not later than December 1, 2016, the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall submit a report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, the state budget director, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the department on the number and percentage of teachers, school administrators, and school board members who have received professional development services from the Michigan Virtual University. The report shall also identify barriers and other opportunities to encourage the adoption of digital learning in the public education system.

(vi) Identify and share best practices for planning, implementing, and evaluating online and blended education delivery models with intermediate districts, districts, and public school academies to accelerate the adoption of innovative education delivery models statewide.

(b) Provide leadership for this state’s system of digital learning education by doing the following activities:

(i) Develop and report policy recommendations to the governor and the legislature that accelerate the expansion of effective online learning in this state’s schools.

(ii) Provide a clearinghouse for research reports, academic studies, evaluations, and other information related to online learning.

(iii) Promote and distribute the most current instructional design standards and guidelines for online teaching.

(iv) In collaboration with the department and interested colleges and universities in this state, support implementation and improvements related to effective digital learning instruction.

(v) Pursue public/private partnerships that include districts to study and implement competency-based technology-rich online learning models.

(vi) Create a statewide network of school-based mentors serving as liaisons between pupils, online instructors, parents, and school staff and provide mentors with research-based training and technical assistance designed to help more pupils be successful online learners.

(vii) Convene focus groups and conduct annual surveys of teachers, administrators, pupils, parents, and others to identify barriers and opportunities related to online learning.

(viii) Produce an annual consumer awareness report for schools and parents about effective online education providers and education delivery models, performance data, cost structures, and research trends.

(ix) Research and establish an Internet-based platform that educators can use to create student-centric learning tools and resources and facilitate a user network that assists educators in using the platform. As part of this initiative, the Michigan Virtual University shall work collaboratively with districts and intermediate districts to establish a plan to make available online resources that align to Michigan’s K-12 curriculum standards for use by students, educators, and parents.

(x) Create and maintain a public statewide catalog of online learning courses being offered by all public schools and community colleges in this state. The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall identify and develop a list of nationally recognized best practices for online learning and use this list to support reviews of online course vendors, courses, and instructional practices. The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall also provide a mechanism for intermediate districts to use the identified best practices to review content offered by constituent districts. The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall review the online course offerings of the Michigan Virtual University, and make the results from these reviews available to the public as part of the statewide catalog. The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall ensure that the statewide catalog is made available to the public on the Michigan Virtual University website and shall allow the ability to link it to each district’s website as provided for in section 21f. The statewide catalog shall also contain all of the following:

(A) The number of enrollments in each online course in the immediately preceding school year.

(B) The number of enrollments that earned 60% or more of the total course points for each online course in the immediately preceding school year.

(xi) Develop prototype and pilot registration, payment services, and transcript functionality to the statewide catalog and train key stakeholders on how to use new features.

(xii) Collaborate with key stakeholders to examine district level accountability and teacher effectiveness issues related to online learning under section 21f and make findings and recommendations publicly available.

(3) To further enhance its expertise and leadership in digital learning, the Michigan Virtual University shall continue to operate the Michigan Virtual School as a statewide laboratory and quality model of instruction by implementing online and blended learning solutions for Michigan schools in accordance with the following parameters:

(a) The Michigan Virtual School must maintain its accreditation status from recognized national and international accrediting entities.

(b) The Michigan Virtual University shall use no more than $1,000,000.00 of the amount allocated under this section to subsidize the cost paid by districts for online courses.

(c) In providing educators responsible for the teaching of online courses as provided for in this section, the Michigan Virtual School shall follow the requirements to request and assess, and the department of state police shall provide, a criminal history check and criminal records check under sections 1230 and 1230a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1230 and 380.1230a, in the same manner as if the Michigan Virtual School were a school district under those sections.

(4) If the course offerings are included in the statewide catalog of online courses under subsection (2)(b)(ix), the Michigan Virtual School operated by the Michigan Virtual University may offer online course offerings, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(a) Information technology courses.

(b) College level equivalent courses, as defined in section 1471 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1471.

(d) Programs and services for at-risk pupils.

(e) General education development test preparation courses for adjudicated youth.

(f) Special interest courses.

(g) Professional development programs for teachers, school administrators, other school employees, and school board members.

(5) If a home-schooled or nonpublic school student is a resident of a district that subscribes to services provided by the Michigan Virtual School, the student may use the services provided by the Michigan Virtual School to the district without charge to the student beyond what is charged to a district pupil using the same services.

(6) Not later than December 1 of each fiscal year, the Michigan Virtual University shall provide a report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, the state budget director, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the department that includes at least all of the following information related to the Michigan Virtual School for the preceding state fiscal year:

(a) A list of the districts served by the Michigan Virtual School.

(b) A list of online course titles available to districts.

(d) The overall course completion rate percentage.

(7) The governor may appoint an advisory group for the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute established under subsection (2). The members of the advisory group shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and shall serve without compensation. The purpose of the advisory group is to make recommendations to the governor, the legislature, and the president and board of the Michigan Virtual University that will accelerate innovation in this state’s education system in a manner that will prepare elementary and secondary students to be career and college ready and that will promote the goal of increasing the percentage of citizens of this state with high-quality degrees and credentials to at least 60% by 2025.

(8) Not later than November 1, 2015, the Michigan Virtual University shall submit to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, the state budget director, and the house and senate fiscal agencies a detailed budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year that includes a breakdown on its projected costs to deliver online educational services to districts and a summary of the anticipated fees to be paid by districts for those services. Not later than March 1 each year, the Michigan Virtual University shall submit to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, the state budget director, and the house and senate fiscal agencies a breakdown on its actual costs to deliver online educational services to districts and a summary of the actual fees paid by districts for those services based on audited financial statements for the immediately preceding fiscal year.

(9) As used in this section:

(a) “Blended learning” means a hybrid instructional delivery model where pupils are provided content, instruction, and assessment, in part at a supervised educational facility away from home where the pupil and a teacher with a valid Michigan teaching certificate are in the same physical location and in part through Internet-connected learning environments with some degree of pupil control over time, location, and pace of instruction.

(b) “Cyber school” means a full-time instructional program of online courses for pupils that may or may not require attendance at a physical school location.

(c) “Digital learning” means instruction delivered via a web-based educational delivery system that uses various information technologies to provide a structured learning environment, including online and blended learning instructional methods.

(d) “Online course” means a course of study that is capable of generating a credit or a grade, that is provided in an interactive Internet-connected learning environment, in which pupils are separated from their teachers by time or location, or both, and in which a teacher who holds a valid Michigan teaching certificate is responsible for providing instruction, determining appropriate instructional methods for each pupil, diagnosing learning needs, assessing pupil learning, prescribing intervention strategies, reporting outcomes, and evaluating the effects of instruction and support strategies.

Sec. 99c. From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated from the general fund an amount not to exceed $60,000.00 for 2015-2016 for the purpose of civic education as described in this section. The department shall establish a competitive grant process that awards funding to not more than 1 provider for the delivery of programs that exemplify best practices in civic education. The programs shall teach upper elementary, middle, and high school pupils how to participate responsibly in local and state government, and shall provide upper elementary, middle, and high school pupils with an innovative course of instruction on the history and principles of United States constitutional democracy. The grantee also shall provide support to all schools in this state beyond those targeted for intensive programming funded under this section through its website, conduct presentations at statewide conferences, and conduct presentations at districts and intermediate districts.

Sec. 99h. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00 for 2015‑2016 for competitive grants to districts that provide pupils in grades 7 to 12 with expanded opportunities to improve mathematics, science, and technology skills by participating in events hosted by a science and technology development program known as FIRST (for inspiration and recognition of science and technology) robotics.

(2) A district applying for a FIRST tech challenge or FIRST robotics competition program grant shall submit an application in a form and manner determined by the department. To be eligible for a grant, a district shall demonstrate in its application that the district has established a partnership for the purposes of the FIRST program with at least 1 sponsor, business entity, higher education institution, or technical school, shall submit a spending plan, and shall pay at least 25% of the cost of the FIRST robotics program.

(3) The department shall distribute the grant funding under this section for the following purposes:

(a) Grants to districts to pay for stipends of $1,500.00 for 1 coach per team, distributed as follows:

(i) Not more than 500 stipends for coaches of high school teams, including existing teams.

(ii) Not more than 100 stipends for coaches of middle school or junior high teams, including existing teams.

(iii) If the requests for stipends exceed the numbers of stipends allowed under subparagraphs (i) and (ii), and if there is funding remaining unspent under subdivisions (b) and (c), the department shall use that remaining unspent funding for grants to districts to pay for additional stipends in a manner that expands the geographical distribution of teams.

(b) Grants to districts for event registrations, materials, travel costs, and other expenses associated with the preparation for and attendance at FIRST tech challenge and FIRST robotics competitions. Each grant recipient shall provide a local match from other private or local funds for the funds received under this subdivision equal to at least 50% of the costs of participating in an event. The department shall set maximum grant amounts under this subdivision in a manner that maximizes the number of teams that will be able to receive funding.

(c) Grants to districts for awards to teams that advance to the state and world championship competitions. The department shall determine an equal amount per team for those teams that advance to the state championship and a second equal award amount to those teams that advance to the world championship.

(4) The funds allocated under this section are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2015-2016 are carried forward into 2016-2017. The purpose of the work project is to continue to implement the projects described under subsection (1). The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2018.

Sec. 99s. (1) From the funds appropriated under section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $3,250,000.00 from the state school aid fund appropriation and an amount not to exceed $775,000.00 from the general fund appropriation for Michigan science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (MiSTEM) programs. In addition, from the federal funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount estimated at $5,249,300.00 from DED-OESE, title II, mathematics and science partnership grants.

(2) From the general fund allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 to the department for administrative and travel costs related to the MiSTEM advisory council. All of the following apply to the MiSTEM advisory council funded under this subsection:

(a) The MiSTEM advisory council is created. The MiSTEM advisory council shall provide to the governor, legislature, department of talent and economic development, and department recommendations designed to improve and promote innovation in STEM education and prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

(b) The MiSTEM advisory council created under subdivision (a) shall consist of the following members:

(i) The governor shall appoint 11 voting members who are representative of business sectors that are important to Michigan’s economy and rely on a STEM-educated workforce, nonprofit organizations and associations that promote STEM education, K-12 and postsecondary education entities involved in STEM-related career education, or other sectors as considered appropriate by the governor. Each of these members shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and for a term determined by the governor.

(ii) The senate majority leader shall appoint 2 members of the senate to serve as nonvoting, ex-officio members of the MiSTEM advisory council, including 1 majority party member and 1 minority party member.

(iii) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint 2 members of the house of representatives to serve as nonvoting, ex-officio members of the MiSTEM advisory council, including 1 majority party member and 1 minority party member.

(d) The MiSTEM advisory council shall recommend a statewide strategy for delivering STEM education-related opportunities to pupils and objective criteria for determining preferred STEM programs. The MiSTEM advisory council also shall make funding recommendations to the governor, legislature, and department for funding programs under this section for 2016-2017 not later than March 1, 2016, including, but not limited to, recommendations concerning funding for the STEM programs funded under this section for 2015-2016, and shall continue to make funding recommendations annually thereafter.

(e) The MiSTEM advisory council shall work with directors of mathematics and science centers funded under subsection (3) to connect educators with businesses, workforce developers, economic developers, community colleges, and universities.

(3) From the state school aid fund allocation under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $2,750,000.00 to support the activities and programs of mathematics and science centers. In addition, from the federal funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount estimated at $5,249,300.00 from DED-OESE, title II, mathematics and science partnership grants, for the purposes of this subsection. All of the following apply to the programs and funding under this subsection:

(a) Within a service area designated locally, approved by the department, and consistent with the comprehensive master plan for mathematics and science centers developed by the department and approved by the state board, an established mathematics and science center shall provide 2 or more of the following 6 basic services, as described in the master plan, to constituent districts and communities: leadership, pupil services, curriculum support, community involvement, professional development, and resource clearinghouse services.

(b) The department shall not award a state grant under this subsection to more than 1 mathematics and science center located in a designated region as prescribed in the 2007 master plan unless each of the grants serves a distinct target population or provides a service that does not duplicate another program in the designated region.

(c) As part of the technical assistance process, the department shall provide minimum standard guidelines that may be used by the mathematics and science center for providing fair access for qualified pupils and professional staff as prescribed in this subsection.

(d) Allocations under this subsection to support the activities and programs of mathematics and science centers shall be continuing support grants to all 33 established mathematics and science centers. For 2015-2016, each established mathematics and science center that was funded for 2014-2015 under former section 99 shall receive state funding in an amount equal to 100% of the amount it was allocated under former section 99 for 2014-2015. If a center declines state funding or a center closes, the remaining money available under this subsection shall be distributed to the remaining centers, as determined by the department.

(e) From the funds allocated under this subsection, the department shall distribute for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $750,000.00 in a form and manner determined by the department to those centers able to provide curriculum and professional development support to assist districts in implementing the Michigan merit curriculum components for mathematics and science. Funding under this subdivision is in addition to funding allocated under subdivision (d).

(f) In order to receive state or federal funds under this subsection, a grant recipient shall allow access for the department or the department’s designee to audit all records related to the program for which it receives those funds. The grant recipient shall reimburse the state for all disallowances found in the audit.

(g) Not later than September 30, 2018, the department shall reevaluate and update the comprehensive master plan described in subdivision (a).

(h) The department shall give preference in awarding the federal grants allocated under this subsection to eligible existing mathematics and science centers.

(i) In order to receive state funds under this subsection, a grant recipient shall provide at least a 10% local match from local public or private resources for the funds received under this subsection.

(j) Not later than July 1 of each year, a mathematics and science center that receives funds under this subsection shall report to the department in a form and manner prescribed by the department on the following performance measures:

(i) Statistical change in pre- and post-assessment scores for students who enrolled in mathematics and science activities provided to districts by the mathematics and science center.

(ii) Statistical change in pre- and post-assessment scores for teachers who enrolled in professional development activities provided by the mathematics and science center.

(k) As used in this subsection:

(i) “DED” means the United States Department of Education.

(ii) “DED-OESE” means the DED Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(4) From the general fund money allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 to the Michigan STEM partnership, to be used to administer the grant process under this subsection. From the general fund money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $375,000.00 to the Michigan STEM partnership to be used for a competitive grant process to award competitive grants to organizations conducting student-focused, project-based programs and competitions, either in the classroom or extracurricular, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects such as, but not limited to, robotics, coding, and design-build-test projects, from pre-kindergarten through college level. All of the following apply to the grant funding under this subsection:

(a) Funding under this subsection is in addition to funding allocated under subsection (3) and shall be used for connecting mathematics and science centers for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics purposes and to support the goals of the Michigan STEM partnership.

(b) A program receiving funds under section 99h may not receive funds under this subsection.

(c) In order to receive state funds under this subsection, a grant recipient shall provide at least a 10% local match from local public or private resources for the funds received under this subsection.

(5) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 for 2015‑2016 only for grants to districts to support professional development for teachers in a department-approved training program for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction. All of the following apply to the grant funding under this subsection:

(a) Any district may apply for funding under this subsection for 2015-2016 by a date determined by the department. In awarding grants, the department shall give priority, in a form and manner determined by the department, to applicant districts with teachers who have not previously received training in programs funded under this subsection or former section 99b.

(b) For a training program to be approved by the department for the purposes of this subsection, the program shall meet all of the following criteria:

(i) Utilize an integrative STEM approach to content organization and delivery. The integrative STEM approach shall include content derived from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

(ii) Offer evidence that the program outcomes address mathematics, science, and technological literacy standards in an exploratory middle school or high school offering.

(iii) Offer evidence that the program positively influences student career choices along STEM career paths and increases student engagement through peer-reviewed research.

(iv) Present evidence of the periodic updating of the curriculum.

(v) Utilize outcome measures for teacher professional development.

(vi) Provide peer-reviewed evidence that the program is effective with disadvantaged students and those with language barriers.

(c) The department shall award grants to districts in an amount determined by the department, but not to exceed $3,200.00 per participant.

(d) A district receiving funds under this subsection shall use the funds only for department-approved training programs under this subsection.

(6) From the allocations under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 for 2015-2016 only for competitive grants to districts that provide pupils in grades K to 12 with expanded opportunities in science education and skills by participating in events and competitions hosted by Science Olympiad. All of the following apply to the grant funding under this subsection:

(a) A district applying for a grant under this subsection shall submit an application in the form and manner determined by the department not later than November 15, 2015. The department shall select districts for grants and make notification not later than December 15, 2015. To be eligible for a grant, a district shall pay at least 25% of the cost of participating in the Science Olympiad program.

(b) The department shall distribute the grant funding allocated under this subsection for the following purposes:

(i) Grants to districts of up to $800.00 for new elementary teams.

(ii) Grants to districts of up to $400.00 for established elementary teams.

(iii) Grants to districts of up to $1,600.00 for new secondary teams.

(iv) Grants to districts of up to $800.00 for established secondary teams.

(7) From the general fund allocation under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 for 2015-2016 only for a grant to the Van Andel Education Institute for the purposes of advancing and promoting science education and increasing the number of students who choose to pursue careers in science or science-related fields. Funds allocated under this subsection shall be used to provide professional development for science teachers in using student-driven, inquiry-based instruction.

Sec. 101. (1) To be eligible to receive state aid under this article, not later than the fifth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day and not later than the fifth Wednesday after the supplemental count day, each district superintendent shall submit to the center and the intermediate superintendent, in the form and manner prescribed by the center, the number of pupils enrolled and in regular daily attendance in the district as of the pupil membership count day and as of the supplemental count day, as applicable, for the current school year. In addition, a district maintaining school during the entire year, as provided under section 1561 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1561, shall submit to the center and the intermediate superintendent, in the form and manner prescribed by the center, the number of pupils enrolled and in regular daily attendance in the district for the current school year pursuant to rules promulgated by the superintendent. Not later than the sixth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day and not later than the sixth Wednesday after the supplemental count day, the district shall certify the data in a form and manner prescribed by the center and file the certified data with the intermediate superintendent. If a district fails to submit and certify the attendance data, as required under this subsection, the center shall notify the department and state aid due to be distributed under this article shall be withheld from the defaulting district immediately, beginning with the next payment after the failure and continuing with each payment until the district complies with this subsection. If a district does not comply with this subsection by the end of the fiscal year, the district forfeits the amount withheld. A person who willfully falsifies a figure or statement in the certified and sworn copy of enrollment shall be punished in the manner prescribed by section 161.

(2) To be eligible to receive state aid under this article, not later than the twenty-fourth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day and not later than the twenty-fourth Wednesday after the supplemental count day, an intermediate district shall submit to the center, in a form and manner prescribed by the center, the audited enrollment and attendance data for the pupils of its constituent districts and of the intermediate district. If an intermediate district fails to submit the audited data as required under this subsection, state aid due to be distributed under this article shall be withheld from the defaulting intermediate district immediately, beginning with the next payment after the failure and continuing with each payment until the intermediate district complies with this subsection. If an intermediate district does not comply with this subsection by the end of the fiscal year, the intermediate district forfeits the amount withheld.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (11) and (12), all of the following apply to the provision of pupil instruction:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each district shall provide at least 1,098 hours and, beginning in 2010-2011, the required minimum number of days of pupil instruction. Beginning in 2014-2015, the required minimum number of days of pupil instruction is 175. However, all of the following apply to these requirements:

(i) If a collective bargaining agreement that provides a complete school calendar was in effect for employees of a district as of July 1, 2013, and if that school calendar is not in compliance with this subsection, then this subsection does not apply to that district until after the expiration of that collective bargaining agreement. If a district entered into a collective bargaining agreement on or after July 1, 2013 and if that collective bargaining agreement did not provide for at least 175 days of pupil instruction beginning in 2014-2015, then the department shall withhold from the district’s total state school aid an amount equal to 5% of the funding the district receives in 2014-2015 under sections 22a and 22b.

(ii) A district may apply for a waiver under subsection (9) from the requirements of this subdivision.

(b) Beginning in 2016-2017, the required minimum number of days of pupil instruction is 180. If a collective bargaining agreement that provides a complete school calendar was in effect for employees of a district as of the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subdivision, and if that school calendar is not in compliance with this subdivision, then this subdivision does not apply to that district until after the expiration of that collective bargaining agreement. A district may apply for a waiver under subsection (9) from the requirements of this subdivision.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this article, a district failing to comply with the required minimum hours and days of pupil instruction under this subsection shall forfeit from its total state aid allocation an amount determined by applying a ratio of the number of hours or days the district was in noncompliance in relation to the required minimum number of hours and days under this subsection. Not later than August 1, the board of each district shall certify to the department the number of hours and days of pupil instruction in the previous school year. If the district did not provide at least the required minimum number of hours and days of pupil instruction under this subsection, the deduction of state aid shall be made in the following fiscal year from the first payment of state school aid. A district is not subject to forfeiture of funds under this subsection for a fiscal year in which a forfeiture was already imposed under subsection (6).

(d) Hours or days lost because of strikes or teachers’ conferences shall not be counted as hours or days of pupil instruction.

(e) If a collective bargaining agreement that provides a complete school calendar is in effect for employees of a district as of October 19, 2009, and if that school calendar is not in compliance with this subsection, then this subsection does not apply to that district until after the expiration of that collective bargaining agreement.

(f) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (g) and (h), a district not having at least 75% of the district’s membership in attendance on any day of pupil instruction shall receive state aid in that proportion of 1/180 that the actual percent of attendance bears to the specified percentage.

(g) If a district adds 1 or more days of pupil instruction to the end of its instructional calendar for a school year to comply with subdivision (a) because the district otherwise would fail to provide the required minimum number of days of pupil instruction even after the operation of subsection (4) due to conditions not within the control of school authorities, then subdivision (f) does not apply for any day of pupil instruction that is added to the end of the instructional calendar. Instead, for any of those days, if the district does not have at least 60% of the district’s membership in attendance on that day, the district shall receive state aid in that proportion of 1/180 that the actual percentage of attendance bears to the specified percentage. For any day of pupil instruction added to the instructional calendar as described in this subdivision, the district shall report to the department the percentage of the district’s membership that is in attendance, in the form and manner prescribed by the department.

(h) At the request of a district that operates a department-approved alternative education program and that does not provide instruction for pupils in all of grades K to 12, the superintendent shall grant a waiver from the requirements of subdivision (f). The waiver shall indicate that an eligible district is subject to the proration provisions of subdivision (f) only if the district does not have at least 50% of the district’s membership in attendance on any day of pupil instruction. In order to be eligible for this waiver, a district must maintain records to substantiate its compliance with the following requirements:

(i) The district offers the minimum hours of pupil instruction as required under this section.

(ii) For each enrolled pupil, the district uses appropriate academic assessments to develop an individual education plan that leads to a high school diploma.

(iii) The district tests each pupil to determine academic progress at regular intervals and records the results of those tests in that pupil’s individual education plan.

(i) All of the following apply to a waiver granted under subdivision (h):

(i) If the waiver is for a blended model of delivery, a waiver that is granted for the 2011-2012 fiscal year or a subsequent fiscal year remains in effect unless it is revoked by the superintendent.

(ii) If the waiver is for a 100% online model of delivery and the educational program for which the waiver is granted makes educational services available to pupils for a minimum of at least 1,098 hours during a school year and ensures that each pupil participates in the educational program for at least 1,098 hours during a school year, a waiver that is granted for the 2011-2012 fiscal year or a subsequent fiscal year remains in effect unless it is revoked by the superintendent.

(iii) A waiver that is not a waiver described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) is valid for 1 fiscal year and must be renewed annually to remain in effect.

(j) The superintendent shall promulgate rules for the implementation of this subsection.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the first 6 days or the equivalent number of hours for which pupil instruction is not provided because of conditions not within the control of school authorities, such as severe storms, fires, epidemics, utility power unavailability, water or sewer failure, or health conditions as defined by the city, county, or state health authorities, shall be counted as hours and days of pupil instruction. With the approval of the superintendent of public instruction, the department shall count as hours and days of pupil instruction for a fiscal year not more than 3 additional days or the equivalent number of additional hours for which pupil instruction is not provided in a district due to unusual and extenuating occurrences resulting from conditions not within the control of school authorities such as those conditions described in this subsection. Subsequent such hours or days shall not be counted as hours or days of pupil instruction.

(5) A district shall not forfeit part of its state aid appropriation because it adopts or has in existence an alternative scheduling program for pupils in kindergarten if the program provides at least the number of hours required under subsection (3) for a full-time equated membership for a pupil in kindergarten as provided under section 6(4).

(6) In addition to any other penalty or forfeiture under this section, if at any time the department determines that 1 or more of the following have occurred in a district, the district shall forfeit in the current fiscal year beginning in the next payment to be calculated by the department a proportion of the funds due to the district under this article that is equal to the proportion below the required minimum number of hours and days of pupil instruction under subsection (3), as specified in the following:

(a) The district fails to operate its schools for at least the required minimum number of hours and days of pupil instruction under subsection (3) in a school year, including hours and days counted under subsection (4).

(b) The board of the district takes formal action not to operate its schools for at least the required minimum number of hours and days of pupil instruction under subsection (3) in a school year, including hours and days counted under subsection (4).

(7) In providing the minimum number of hours and days of pupil instruction required under subsection (3), a district shall use the following guidelines, and a district shall maintain records to substantiate its compliance with the following guidelines:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a pupil must be scheduled for at least the required minimum number of hours of instruction, excluding study halls, or at least the sum of 90 hours plus the required minimum number of hours of instruction, including up to 2 study halls.

(b) The time a pupil is assigned to any tutorial activity in a block schedule may be considered instructional time, unless that time is determined in an audit to be a study hall period.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, a pupil in grades 9 to 12 for whom a reduced schedule is determined to be in the individual pupil’s best educational interest must be scheduled for a number of hours equal to at least 80% of the required minimum number of hours of pupil instruction to be considered a full-time equivalent pupil. A pupil in grades 9 to 12 who is scheduled in a 4-block schedule may receive a reduced schedule under this subsection if the pupil is scheduled for a number of hours equal to at least 75% of the required minimum number of hours of pupil instruction to be considered a full-time equivalent pupil.

(d) If a pupil in grades 9 to 12 who is enrolled in a cooperative education program or a special education pupil cannot receive the required minimum number of hours of pupil instruction solely because of travel time between instructional sites during the school day, that travel time, up to a maximum of 3 hours per school week, shall be considered to be pupil instruction time for the purpose of determining whether the pupil is receiving the required minimum number of hours of pupil instruction. However, if a district demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the travel time limitation under this subdivision would create undue costs or hardship to the district, the department may consider more travel time to be pupil instruction time for this purpose.

(e) In grades 7 through 12, instructional time that is part of a junior reserve officer training corps (JROTC) program shall be considered to be pupil instruction time regardless of whether the instructor is a certificated teacher if all of the following are met:

(i) The instructor has met all of the requirements established by the United States Department of Defense and the applicable branch of the armed services for serving as an instructor in the junior reserve officer training corps program.

(ii) The board of the district or intermediate district employing or assigning the instructor complies with the requirements of sections 1230 and 1230a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1230 and 380.1230a, with respect to the instructor to the same extent as if employing the instructor as a regular classroom teacher.

(8) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (11) and (12), the department shall apply the guidelines under subsection (7) in calculating the full-time equivalency of pupils.

(9) Upon application by the district for a particular fiscal year, the superintendent shall waive for a district the minimum number of hours and days of pupil instruction requirement of subsection (3) for a department-approved alternative education program or another innovative program approved by the department, including a 4-day school week. If a district applies for and receives a waiver under this subsection and complies with the terms of the waiver, the district is not subject to forfeiture under this section for the specific program covered by the waiver. If the district does not comply with the terms of the waiver, the amount of the forfeiture shall be calculated based upon a comparison of the number of hours and days of pupil instruction actually provided to the minimum number of hours and days of pupil instruction required under subsection (3). Pupils enrolled in a department-approved alternative education program under this subsection shall be reported to the center in a form and manner determined by the center. All of the following apply to a waiver granted under this subsection:

(a) If the waiver is for a blended model of delivery, a waiver that is granted for the 2011-2012 fiscal year or a subsequent fiscal year remains in effect unless it is revoked by the superintendent.

(b) If the waiver is for a 100% online model of delivery and the educational program for which the waiver is granted makes educational services available to pupils for a minimum of at least 1,098 hours during a school year and ensures that each pupil is on track for course completion at proficiency level, a waiver that is granted for the 2011-2012 fiscal year or a subsequent fiscal year remains in effect unless it is revoked by the superintendent.

(c) A waiver that is not a waiver described in subdivision (a) or (b) is valid for 1 fiscal year and must be renewed annually to remain in effect.

(10) Until 2014-2015, a district may count up to 38 hours of qualifying professional development for teachers as hours of pupil instruction. However, if a collective bargaining agreement that provides for the counting of up to 38 hours of qualifying professional development for teachers as pupil instruction is in effect for employees of a district as of July 1, 2013, then until the school year that begins after the expiration of that collective bargaining agreement a district may count up to the contractually specified number of hours of qualifying professional development for teachers as hours of pupil instruction. Professional development provided online is allowable and encouraged, as long as the instruction has been approved by the district. The department shall issue a list of approved online professional development providers, which shall include the Michigan Virtual School. As used in this subsection, “qualifying professional development” means professional development that is focused on 1 or more of the following:

(a) Achieving or improving adequate yearly progress as defined under the no child left behind act of 2001, Public Law 107-110.

(b) Achieving accreditation or improving a school’s accreditation status under section 1280 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1280.

(d) Integrating technology into classroom instruction.

(e) Maintaining teacher certification.

(11) Subsections (3) and (8) do not apply to a school of excellence that is a cyber school, as defined in section 551 of the revised school code, MCL 380.551, and is in compliance with section 553a of the revised school code, MCL 380.553a.

(12) Subsections (3) and (8) do not apply to eligible pupils enrolled in a dropout recovery program that meets the requirements of section 23a. As used in this subsection, “eligible pupil” means that term as defined in section 23a.

(13) Beginning in 2013, at least every 2 years the superintendent shall review the waiver standards set forth in the pupil accounting and auditing manuals to ensure that the waiver standards and waiver process continue to be appropriate and responsive to changing trends in online learning. The superintendent shall solicit and consider input from stakeholders as part of this review.

Sec. 102d. (1) From the funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.00 for 2015-2016 for reimbursements to districts for the licensing of school data analytical tools as described under this section. The reimbursement is for districts that choose to use a school data analytical tool to assist the district and that enter into a licensing agreement for a school data analytical tool with 1 of the vendors approved by the department of technology, management, and budget under subsection (2).

(2) Not later than October 15, 2015, the department of technology, management, and budget shall review vendors for school data analytical tools and provide districts with a list of at least 2 and up to 4 approved vendors that districts may use to be eligible for a reimbursement paid under this section. For a vendor to be approved under this section, the department of technology, management, and budget must determine that the school data analytical tool supplied by the vendor meets at least all of the following:

(a) Analyzes financial data.

(b) Analyzes academic data.

(d) Has the capability to provide peer district comparisons of both financial and academic data.

(e) Has the capability to provide financial projections for at least 3 subsequent fiscal years.

(3) Funds allocated under this section shall be paid to districts as a reimbursement for already having a licensing agreement or for entering into a licensing agreement not later than December 1, 2015 with a vendor approved under subsection (2) to implement a school data analytical tool. Reimbursement under this section shall be made on an equal per-pupil basis.

(4) Notwithstanding section 17b, payments under this section shall be made on a schedule determined by the department.

Sec. 104. (1) In order to receive state aid under this article, a district shall comply with sections 1249, 1278a, 1278b, 1279, 1279g, and 1280b of the revised school code, MCL 380.1249, 380.1278a, 380.1278b, 380.1279, 380.1279g, and 380.1280b, and 1970 PA 38, MCL 388.1081 to 388.1086. Subject to subsection (2), from the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $43,994,400.00 for payments on behalf of districts for costs associated with complying with those provisions of law. In addition, from the federal funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount estimated at $6,250,000.00, funded from DED‑OESE, title VI, state assessment funds, and from DED-OSERS, section 504 of part B of the individuals with disabilities education act, Public Law 94-142, plus any carryover federal funds from previous year appropriations, for the purposes of complying with the federal no child left behind act of 2001, Public Law 107-110.

(2) The results of each test administered as part of the Michigan student test of educational progress (M-STEP), including tests administered to high school students, shall include an item analysis that lists all items that are counted for individual pupil scores and the percentage of pupils choosing each possible response.

(4) Notwithstanding section 17b, payments on behalf of districts, intermediate districts, and other eligible entities under this section shall be paid on a schedule determined by the department.

(5) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $8,500,000.00 for the following purposes:

(a) Converting existing student assessments to online assessments.

(b) Providing paper and pencil test versions to districts not prepared to implement online assessments.

(d) Providing an increased number of constructed response test questions so that pupils can demonstrate higher-order skills such as problem solving and communicating reasoning.

(6) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $3,200,000.00 for the development or selection of an online reporting tool to provide student-level assessment data in a secure environment to educators, parents, and pupils immediately after assessments are scored. The department and the center shall ensure that any data collected by the online reporting tool do not provide individually identifiable student data to the federal government.

(7) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $5,600,000.00 for the purpose of implementing a summative assessment system pursuant to section 104c.

(8) As used in this section:

(a) “DED” means the United States Department of Education.

(b) “DED-OESE” means the DED Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Sec. 104b. (1) In order to receive state aid under this article, a district shall comply with this section and shall administer the Michigan merit examination to pupils in grade 11, and to pupils in grade 12 who did not take the complete Michigan merit examination in grade 11, as provided in this section. The Michigan merit examination consists of a college entrance test, work skills test, and the summative assessment known as the Michigan student test of educational progress (M-STEP).

(2) For the purposes of this section, the department of technology, management, and budget shall contract with 1 or more providers to develop, supply, and score the Michigan merit examination. The Michigan merit examination shall consist of all of the following:

(a) Assessment instruments that measure English language arts, mathematics, reading, and science, and are used by the majority of colleges and universities in this state for entrance purposes. This may include 1 or more writing components. In selecting assessment instruments to fulfill the requirements of this subdivision, the department may consider the degree to which those assessment instruments are aligned to this state’s content standards.

(b) One or more tests from 1 or more test developers that assess a pupil’s ability to apply at least reading and mathematics skills in a manner that is intended to allow employers to use the results in making employment decisions. The department of technology, management, and budget and the superintendent shall ensure that any test or tests selected under this subdivision have all the components necessary to allow a pupil to be eligible to receive the results of a nationally recognized evaluation of workforce readiness if the pupil’s test performance is adequate.

(d) Any other component that is necessary to obtain the approval of the United States Department of Education to use the Michigan merit examination for the purposes of the no child left behind act of 2001, Public Law 107-110.

(3) In addition to all other requirements of this section, all of the following apply to the Michigan merit examination:

(a) The department of technology, management, and budget and the superintendent shall ensure that any contractor used for scoring the Michigan merit examination supplies an individual report for each pupil that will identify for the pupil’s parents and teachers whether the pupil met expectations or failed to meet expectations for each standard, to allow the pupil’s parents and teachers to assess and remedy problems before the pupil moves to the next grade.

(b) The department of technology, management, and budget and the superintendent shall ensure that any contractor used for scoring, developing, or processing the Michigan merit examination meets quality management standards commonly used in the assessment industry, including at least meeting level 2 of the capability maturity model developed by the Software Engineering Institute of Carnegie Mellon University for the first year the Michigan merit examination is offered to all grade 11 pupils and at least meeting level 3 of the capability maturity model for subsequent years.

(c) The department of technology, management, and budget and the superintendent shall ensure that any contract for scoring, administering, or developing the Michigan merit examination includes specific deadlines for all steps of the assessment process, including, but not limited to, deadlines for the correct testing materials to be supplied to schools and for the correct results to be returned to schools, and includes penalties for noncompliance with these deadlines.

(d) The superintendent shall ensure that the Michigan merit examination meets all of the following:

(i) Is designed to test pupils on this state’s content standards in all subjects tested.

(ii) Complies with requirements of the no child left behind act of 2001, Public Law 107-110.

(iii) Is consistent with the code of fair testing practices in education prepared by the Joint Committee on Testing Practices of the American Psychological Association.

(iv) Is factually accurate. If the superintendent determines that a question is not factually accurate and should be excluded from scoring, the state board and the superintendent shall ensure that the question is excluded from scoring.

(4) A district shall include on each pupil’s high school transcript all of the following:

(a) For each high school graduate who has completed the Michigan merit examination under this section, the pupil’s scaled score on each subject area component of the Michigan merit examination.

(b) The number of school days the pupil was in attendance at school each school year during high school and the total number of school days in session for each of those school years.

(5) The superintendent shall work with the provider or providers of the Michigan merit examination to produce Michigan merit examination subject area scores for each pupil participating in the Michigan merit examination. To the extent that the department determines that additional test items beyond those included in the college entrance component of the Michigan merit examination are required in a particular subject area, the department shall ensure that all test items in that subject area are scaled and merged for the purposes of producing a Michigan merit examination subject area score. The superintendent shall design and distribute to districts, intermediate districts, and nonpublic schools a simple and concise document that describes the scoring for each subject area and indicates the scaled score ranges for each subject area.

(6) The Michigan merit examination shall be administered in each district during the last 12 weeks of the district’s school year. The superintendent shall ensure that the Michigan merit examination is scored and the scores are returned to pupils, their parents or legal guardians, and districts not later than the beginning of the pupil’s first semester of grade 12. The returned scores shall indicate at least the pupil’s scaled score for each subject area component and the range of scaled scores for each subject area. In reporting the scores to pupils, parents, and schools, the superintendent shall provide standards-specific, meaningful, and timely feedback on the pupil’s performance on the Michigan merit examination.

(7) A district shall administer the complete Michigan merit examination to a pupil only once and shall not administer the complete Michigan merit examination to the same pupil more than once. If a pupil does not take the complete Michigan merit examination in grade 11, the district shall administer the complete Michigan merit examination to the pupil in grade 12. If a pupil chooses to retake the college entrance examination component of the Michigan merit examination, as described in subsection (2)(a), the pupil may do so through the provider of the college entrance examination component and the cost of the retake is the responsibility of the pupil unless all of the following are met:

(a) The pupil has taken the complete Michigan merit examination.

(b) The pupil meets the income eligibility criteria for free breakfast, lunch, or milk, as determined under the Richard B. Russell national school lunch act, 42 USC 1751 to 1769i.

(c) The pupil has applied to the provider of the college entrance examination component for a scholarship or fee waiver to cover the cost of the retake and that application has been denied.

(d) After taking the complete Michigan merit examination, the pupil has not already received a free retake of the college entrance examination component paid for either by this state or through a scholarship or fee waiver by the provider.

(8) The superintendent shall ensure that the length of the Michigan merit examination and the combined total time necessary to administer all of the components of the Michigan merit examination are the shortest possible that will still maintain the degree of reliability and validity of the Michigan merit examination results determined necessary by the superintendent. The superintendent shall ensure that the maximum total combined length of time that schools are required to set aside for pupils to answer all test questions on the Michigan merit examination does not exceed 8 hours if the superintendent determines that sufficient alignment to applicable Michigan merit curriculum content standards can be achieved within that time limit.

(9) A district shall provide accommodations to a pupil with disabilities for the Michigan merit examination, as provided under section 504 of title V of the rehabilitation act of 1973, 29 USC 794; subtitle A of title II of the Americans with disabilities act of 1990, 42 USC 12131 to 12134; the individuals with disabilities education act amendments of 1997, Public Law 105-17; and the implementing regulations for those statutes. The provider or providers of the Michigan merit examination and the superintendent shall mutually agree upon the accommodations to be provided under this subsection.

(10) To the greatest extent possible, the Michigan merit examination shall be based on this state’s content standards, as appropriate. Annually, after each administration of the Michigan merit examination, the department shall provide a report of the points per standard so that teachers will know what content will be covered within the Michigan merit examination. The department may augment the college entrance and work skills components of the Michigan merit examination to develop the assessment, depending on the alignment of those components to this state’s content standards. If these components do not align to these standards, the department shall produce additional components as required by law, while minimizing the amount of time needed for assessments.

(11) A child who is a student in a nonpublic school or home school may take the Michigan merit examination under this section. To take the Michigan merit examination, a child who is a student in a home school shall contact the district in which the child resides, and that district shall administer the Michigan merit examination, or the child may take the Michigan merit examination at a nonpublic school if allowed by the nonpublic school. Upon request from a nonpublic school, the superintendent shall direct the provider or providers to supply the Michigan merit examination to the nonpublic school and the nonpublic school may administer the Michigan merit examination. If a district administers the Michigan merit examination under this subsection to a child who is not enrolled in the district, the scores for that child are not considered for any purpose to be scores of a pupil of the district.

(12) In contracting under subsection (2), the department of technology, management, and budget shall consider a contractor that provides electronically-scored essays with the ability to score constructed response feedback in multiple languages and provide ongoing instruction and feedback.

(13) The purpose of the Michigan merit examination is to assess pupil performance in mathematics, science, social studies, and English language arts for the purpose of improving academic achievement and establishing a statewide standard of competency. The assessment under this section provides a common measure of data that will contribute to the improvement of Michigan schools’ curriculum and instruction by encouraging alignment with Michigan’s curriculum framework standards and promotes pupil participation in higher level mathematics, science, social studies, and English language arts courses. These standards are based upon the expectations of what pupils should learn through high school and are aligned with national standards.

(14) For a pupil enrolled in a middle college program, other than a middle college operated as a shared educational entity or a specialized shared educational entity, if the pupil receives at least 50% of his or her instruction at the high school while in grade 11, the Michigan merit examination shall be administered to the pupil at the high school at which the pupil receives high school instruction, and the department shall include the pupil’s scores on the Michigan merit examination in the scores for that high school for all purposes for which a school’s or district’s results are reported. The department shall allow the middle college program to use a 5-year graduation rate for determining adequate yearly progress. As used in this subsection, “middle college” means a program consisting of a series of courses and other requirements and conditions, including an early college or other program created under a memorandum of understanding, that allows a pupil to graduate from high school with both a high school diploma and a certificate or degree from a community college or state public university.

(15) As used in this section:

(a) “English language arts” means reading and writing.

(b) “Social studies” means United States history, world history, world geography, economics, and American government.

Sec. 104c. (1) In order to receive state aid under this article, a district shall administer the state assessments described in this section.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the department shall develop for use in the spring of 2015-2016 the Michigan student test of educational progress (M-STEP) assessments in English language arts and mathematics. These assessments shall be aligned to state standards.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the department shall implement a summative assessment system that is proven to be valid and reliable for administration to pupils as provided under this subsection. The summative assessment system shall meet all of the following requirements:

(a) The summative assessment system shall measure student proficiency on the current state standards, shall measure student growth for consecutive grade levels in which students are assessed in the same subject area in both grade levels, and shall be capable of measuring individual student performance.

(b) The summative assessments for English language arts and mathematics shall be administered to all public school pupils in grades 3 to 11, including those pupils as required by the federal individuals with disabilities education act, Public Law 108-446, and by title I of the federal elementary and secondary education act.

(c) The summative assessments for science shall be administered to all public school pupils in at least grades 4 and 7, including those pupils as required by the federal individuals with disabilities education act, Public Law 108-446, and by title I of the federal elementary and secondary education act.

(d) The summative assessments for social studies shall be administered to all public school pupils in at least grades 5 and 8, including those pupils as required by the federal individuals with disabilities education act, Public Law 108-446, and by title I of the federal elementary and secondary education act.

(e) The content of the summative assessments shall be aligned to state standards.

(f) The pool of questions for the summative assessments shall be subject to a transparent review process for quality, bias, and sensitive issues involving educator review and comment. The department shall post samples from tests or retired tests featuring questions from this pool for review by the public.

(g) The summative assessment system shall ensure that students, parents, and teachers are provided with reports that convey individual student proficiency and growth on the assessment and that convey individual student domain-level performance in each subject area, including representative questions, and individual student performance in meeting state standards.

(h) The summative assessment system shall be capable of providing, and the department shall ensure that students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members are provided with, reports that convey aggregate student proficiency and growth data by teacher, grade, school, and district.

(i) The summative assessment system shall ensure the capability of reporting the available data to support educator evaluations.

(j) The summative assessment system shall ensure that the reports provided to districts containing individual student data are available within 60 days after completion of the assessments.

(k) The summative assessment system shall ensure that access to individually identifiable student data meets all of the following:

(i) Is in compliance with 20 USC 1232g, commonly referred to as the family educational rights and privacy act of 1974.

(ii) Except as may be provided for in an agreement with a vendor to provide assessment services, as necessary to support educator evaluations pursuant to subdivision (i), or for research or program evaluation purposes, is available only to the student; to the student’s parent or legal guardian; and to a school administrator or teacher, to the extent that he or she has a legitimate educational interest.

(l) The summative assessment system shall ensure that the assessments are pilot tested before statewide implementation.

(m) The summative assessment system shall ensure that assessments are designed so that the maximum total combined length of time that schools are required to set aside for a pupil to answer all test questions on all assessments that are part of the system for the pupil’s grade level does not exceed that maximum total combined length of time for the previous statewide assessment system or 9 hours, whichever is less. This subdivision does not limit the amount of time a district may allow a pupil to complete a test.

(n) The total cost of executing the summative assessment system statewide each year, including, but not limited to, the cost of contracts for administration, scoring, and reporting, shall not exceed an amount equal to 2 times the cost of executing the previous statewide assessment after adjustment for inflation.

(4) Beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, the department shall field test additional components in the assessment system under this subsection for full implementation in the 2016-2017 school year. The additional components are necessary to determine a pupil’s proficiency level before grade 3. The additional components are as follows:

(a) Assessments administered in the fall and spring of each year to measure English language arts and mathematics in each of grades 1 and 2.

(b) The kindergarten entry assessment (KEA), to be administered in the fall of the kindergarten year. The KEA shall include the same components as under subdivision (a) and also may include observational components that measure cognitive, social-emotional, and physical skills.

(5) This section does not prohibit districts from adopting interim assessments.

(6) As used in this section, “English language arts” means that term as defined in section 104b.

Sec. 104d. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $4,000,000.00 for providing reimbursement to districts that purchase a computer-adaptive test for each pupil enrolled in the district or that purchase 1 or more diagnostic tools, screening tools, or benchmark assessments for pupils in grades K to 3 that are intended to increase reading proficiency by grade 4.

(2) In order to receive reimbursement under this section for the purchase of a computer-adaptive test, the computer-adaptive test must provide for at least all of the following:

(a) Internet-delivered, standards-based assessment using a computer-adaptive model to target the instructional level of each pupil.

(b) Unlimited testing opportunities throughout the 2015-2016 school year.

(d) Adjustment of testing difficulty based on previous answers to test questions.

(e) Immediate feedback to pupils and teachers.

(3) In order to receive reimbursement under this section for the purchase of 1 or more diagnostic tools or screening tools for pupils in grades K to 3, each of the tools must meet all of the following:

(a) Be reliable.

(b) Be valid.

(c) Be useful. As used in this subdivision, “useful” means that a tool is easy to administer and requires a short time to complete and that results are linked to intervention.

(4) In order to receive funding under this section for the purchase of 1 or more benchmark assessments for pupils in grades K to 3, each of the benchmark assessments must meet all of the following:

(a) Be aligned to the state standards of this state.

(b) Complement this state’s summative assessment system.

(c) Be administered at least once a year before the administration of any summative assessment to monitor pupil progress.

(d) Provide information on pupil achievement with regard to learning the content required in a given year or grade span.

(5) Reimbursement under this section shall be made to eligible districts that purchase a computer-adaptive test or 1 or more diagnostic tools, screening tools, or benchmark assessments described in this section by October 15, 2015 and shall be made on an equal per-pupil basis according to the available funding.

(6) In order to receive reimbursement under this section, a district shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that each qualifying computer-adaptive test, diagnostic tool, screening tool, or benchmark assessment was purchased by the district by December 1, 2015.

Sec. 107. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $25,000,000.00 for 2015‑2016 for adult education programs authorized under this section. Except as otherwise provided under subsections (16) and (18), funds allocated under this section are restricted for adult education programs as authorized under this section only. A recipient of funds under this section shall not use those funds for any other purpose.

(2) To be eligible for funding under this section, an eligible adult education provider shall employ certificated teachers and qualified administrative staff and shall offer continuing education opportunities for teachers to allow them to maintain certification.

(3) To be eligible to be a participant funded under this section, an individual shall be enrolled in an adult basic education program, an adult English as a second language program, a general educational development (G.E.D.) test preparation program, a job- or employment-related program, or a high school completion program, that meets the requirements of this section, and for which instruction is provided, and shall meet either of the following, as applicable:

(a) If the individual has obtained a high school diploma or a general educational development (G.E.D.) certificate, the individual meets 1 of the following:

(i) Is less than 20 years of age on September 1 of the school year, is not attending an institution of higher education, and is enrolled in a job- or employment-related program through a referral by an employer or by a Michigan workforce agency.

(ii) Is enrolled in an English as a second language program.

(iii) Is enrolled in a high school completion program.

(iv) Is 20 years of age on September 1 of the school year, is enrolled in an adult basic education program, and is determined by a department-approved assessment, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, to be below grade 9 level in reading or mathematics, or both.

(b) If the individual has not obtained a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate, the individual meets 1 of the following:

(i) Is at least 20 years of age on September 1 of the school year.

(ii) Is at least 16 years of age on September 1 of the school year, has been permanently expelled from school under section 1311(2) or 1311a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1311 and 380.1311a, and has no appropriate alternative education program available through his or her district of residence.

(4) By April 1 of each fiscal year, the intermediate districts within a prosperity region or subregion shall determine which intermediate district will serve as the prosperity region’s or subregion’s fiscal agent for the next fiscal year and shall notify the department in a form and manner determined by the department. The department shall approve or disapprove of the prosperity region’s or subregion’s selected fiscal agent. From the funds allocated under subsection (1), an amount as determined under this subsection shall be allocated to each intermediate district serving as a fiscal agent for adult education programs in each of the prosperity regions or subregions identified by the department. An intermediate district shall not use more than 5% of the funds allocated under this subsection for administration costs for serving as the fiscal agent. Beginning in 2014-2015, 67% of the allocation provided to each intermediate district serving as a fiscal agent shall be based on the proportion of total funding formerly received by the adult education providers in that prosperity region or subregion in 2013-2014, and 33% shall be allocated based on the factors in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c). For 2016-2017, 33% of the allocation provided to each intermediate district serving as a fiscal agent shall be based upon the proportion of total funding formerly received by the adult education providers in that prosperity region in 2013-2014 and 67% of the allocation shall be based upon the factors in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c). Beginning in 2017-2018, 100% of the allocation provided to each intermediate district serving as a fiscal agent shall be based on the factors in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c). The funding factors for this section are as follows:

(a) Sixty percent of this portion of the funding shall be distributed based upon the proportion of the state population of individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 that are not high school graduates that resides in each of the prosperity regions or subregions, as reported by the most recent 5-year estimates from the American community survey (ACS) from the United States Census Bureau.

(b) Thirty-five percent of this portion of the funding shall be distributed based upon the proportion of the state population of individuals age 25 or older who are not high school graduates that resides in each of the prosperity regions or subregions, as reported by the most recent 5-year estimates from the American community survey (ACS) from the United States Census Bureau.

(c) Five percent of this portion of the funding shall be distributed based upon the proportion of the state population of individuals age 18 or older who lack basic English language proficiency that resides in each of the prosperity regions or subregions, as reported by the most recent 5-year estimates from the American community survey (ACS) from the United States Census Bureau.

(5) To be an eligible fiscal agent, an intermediate district must agree to do the following in a form and manner determined by the department:

(a) Distribute funds to adult education programs in a prosperity region or subregion as described in this section.

(b) Collaborate with the talent district career council, which is an advisory council of the workforce development boards located in the prosperity region or subregion, or its successor, to develop a regional strategy that aligns adult education programs and services into an efficient and effective delivery system for adult education learners, with special consideration for providing contextualized learning and career pathways.

(c) Collaborate with the talent district career council, which is an advisory council of the workforce development boards located in the prosperity region or subregion, or its successor, to create a local process and criteria that will identify eligible adult education providers to receive funds allocated under this section based on location, demand for services, past performance, quality indicators as identified by the department, and cost to provide instructional services. The fiscal agent shall determine all local processes, criteria, and provider determinations. However, the local processes, criteria, and provider services must be approved by the department before funds may be distributed to the fiscal agent.

(d) Provide oversight to its adult education providers throughout the program year to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section.

(e) Report adult education program and participant data and information as prescribed by the department.

(6) The amount allocated under this section per full-time equated participant shall not exceed $2,850.00 for a 450‑hour program. The amount shall be proportionately reduced for a program offering less than 450 hours of instruction.

(7) An adult basic education program or an adult English as a second language program operated on a year-round or school year basis may be funded under this section, subject to all of the following:

(a) The program enrolls adults who are determined by a department-approved assessment, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, to be below ninth grade level in reading or mathematics, or both, or to lack basic English proficiency.

(b) The program tests individuals for eligibility under subdivision (a) before enrollment and upon completion of the program in compliance with the state-approved assessment policy.

(i) The participant’s reading and mathematics proficiency are assessed at or above the ninth grade level.

(ii) The participant fails to show progress on 2 successive assessments after having completed at least 450 hours of instruction.

(d) A funding recipient enrolling a participant in an English as a second language program is eligible for funding according to subsection (11) until the participant meets 1 of the following:

(i) The participant is assessed as having attained basic English proficiency as determined by a department-approved assessment.

(ii) The participant fails to show progress on 2 successive department-approved assessments after having completed at least 450 hours of instruction. The department shall provide information to a funding recipient regarding appropriate assessment instruments for this program.

(8) A general educational development (G.E.D.) test preparation program operated on a year-round or school year basis may be funded under this section, subject to all of the following:

(a) The program enrolls adults who do not have a high school diploma.

(b) The program shall administer a pre-test approved by the department before enrolling an individual to determine the individual’s literacy levels, shall administer a G.E.D. practice test to determine the individual’s potential for success on the G.E.D. test, and shall administer a post-test upon completion of the program in compliance with the state-approved assessment policy.

(c) A funding recipient shall receive funding according to subsection (11) for a participant, and a participant may be enrolled in the program until 1 of the following occurs:

(i) The participant obtains the G.E.D.

(ii) The participant fails to show progress on 2 successive department-approved assessments used to determine readiness to take the G.E.D. test after having completed at least 450 hours of instruction.

(9) A high school completion program operated on a year-round or school year basis may be funded under this section, subject to all of the following:

(a) The program enrolls adults who do not have a high school diploma.

(b) The program tests participants described in subdivision (a) before enrollment and upon completion of the program in compliance with the state-approved assessment policy.

(c) A funding recipient shall receive funding according to subsection (11) for a participant in a course offered under this subsection until 1 of the following occurs:

(i) The participant passes the course and earns a high school diploma.

(ii) The participant fails to earn credit in 2 successive semesters or terms in which the participant is enrolled after having completed at least 900 hours of instruction.

(10) A job- or employment-related adult education program operated on a year-round or school year basis may be funded under this section, subject to all of the following:

(a) The program enrolls adults referred by their employer who are less than 20 years of age, have a high school diploma, are determined to be in need of remedial mathematics or communication arts skills, and are not attending an institution of higher education.

(b) The program tests participants described in subdivision (a) before enrollment and upon completion of the program in compliance with the department-approved assessment policy.

(c) An individual may be enrolled in this program and the grant recipient shall receive funding according to subsection (11) until 1 of the following occurs:

(i) The individual achieves the requisite skills as determined by department-approved assessment instruments.

(ii) The individual fails to show progress on 2 successive assessments after having completed at least 450 hours of instruction.

(11) A funding recipient shall receive payments under this section in accordance with the following:

(a) Eighty percent for enrollment of eligible participants.

(b) Twenty percent for participant completion of the adult basic education objectives by achieving an educational gain as determined by the national reporting system levels; for achieving basic English proficiency, as determined by the department; for obtaining a G.E.D. or passage of 1 or more individual G.E.D. tests; for attainment of a high school diploma or passage of a course required for a participant to attain a high school diploma; for enrollment in a postsecondary institution, or for entry into or retention of employment, as applicable.

(12) A person who is not eligible to be a participant funded under this section may receive adult education services upon the payment of tuition. In addition, a person who is not eligible to be served in a program under this section due to the program limitations specified in subsection (7), (8), (9), or (10) may continue to receive adult education services in that program upon the payment of tuition. The tuition level shall be determined by the local or intermediate district conducting the program.

(13) An individual who is an inmate in a state correctional facility shall not be counted as a participant under this section.

(14) A funding recipient shall not commingle money received under this section or from another source for adult education purposes with any other funds and shall establish a separate ledger account for funds received under this section. This subsection does not prohibit a district from using general funds of the district to support an adult education or community education program.

(15) A funding recipient receiving funds under this section may establish a sliding scale of tuition rates based upon a participant’s family income. A funding recipient may charge a participant tuition to receive adult education services under this section from that sliding scale of tuition rates on a uniform basis. The amount of tuition charged per participant shall not exceed the actual operating cost per participant minus any funds received under this section per participant. A funding recipient may not charge a participant tuition under this section if the participant’s income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

(16) In order to receive funds under this section, a funding recipient shall furnish to the department, in a form and manner determined by the department, all information needed to administer this program and meet federal reporting requirements; shall allow the department or the department’s designee to review all records related to the program for which it receives funds; and shall reimburse the state for all disallowances found in the review, as determined by the department. In addition, a funding recipient shall agree to pay to a career and technical education program under section 61a the amount of funding received under this section in the proportion of career and technical education coursework used to satisfy adult basic education programming, as billed to the funding recipient by programs operating under section 61a.

(17) All intermediate district participant audits of adult education programs shall be performed pursuant to the adult education participant auditing and accounting manuals published by the department.

(18) From the amount appropriated in subsection (1), an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 shall be allocated for 2015-2016 to not more than 1 pilot program that is located in a prosperity region with 2 or more subregions and that connects adult education participants directly with employers by linking adult education, career and technical skills, and workforce development. To be eligible for funding under this subsection, a pilot program shall provide a collaboration linking adult education programs within the county, the area career/technical center, and local employers, and shall meet the additional criteria in subsections (19) and (20). Funding under this subsection for 2015-2016 is for the first of 3 years of funding.

(19) A pilot program funded under subsection (18) shall require adult education staff to work with Michigan Works! to identify a cohort of participants who are most prepared to successfully enter the workforce. Participants identified under this subsection shall be dually enrolled in adult education programming and at least 1 technical course at the area career/technical center.

(20) A pilot program funded under subsection (18) shall have on staff an adult education navigator who will serve as a caseworker for each participant identified under subsection (19). The navigator shall work with adult education staff and potential employers to design an educational program best suited to the personal and employment needs of the participant, and shall work with human service agencies or other entities to address any barrier in the way of participant access.

(21) Not later than December 1, 2016, the pilot program funded under subsection (18) shall provide to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on school aid and to the senate and house fiscal agencies a report detailing number of participants, graduation rates, and a measure of transitioning to employment.

(22) The department shall develop an application process for a pilot program to be funded under subsection (18) and shall award funding not later than November 1, 2015. Funding allocated under subsection (18) may be paid on a schedule other than that specified under section 17b.

(23) As used in this section:

(a) “Career pathway” means a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that comply with all of the following:

(i) Aligns with the skill needs of industries in the economy of this state or in the regional economy involved.

(ii) Prepares an individual to be successful in any of a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options, including apprenticeships registered under the act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “national apprenticeship act”), 29 USC 50 et seq.

(iii) Includes counseling to support an individual in achieving the individual’s education and career goals.

(iv) Includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster.

(v) Organizes education, training, and other services to meet the particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent practicable.

(vi) Enables an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least 1 recognized postsecondary credential.

(vii) Helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster.

(b) “Department” means the department of talent and economic development.

(c) “Eligible adult education provider” means a district, intermediate district, a consortium of districts, a consortium of intermediate districts, or a consortium of districts and intermediate districts that is identified as part of the local process described in subsection (5)(c) and approved by the department.

(d) “Participant” means the sum of the number of full-time equated individuals enrolled in and attending a department-approved adult education program under this section, using quarterly participant count days on the schedule described in section 6(7)(b).

Sec. 147. (1) The allocation for 2015-2016 for the public school employees’ retirement system pursuant to the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1301 to 38.1408, shall be made using the individual projected benefit entry age normal cost method of valuation and risk assumptions adopted by the public school employees retirement board and the department of technology, management, and budget.

(2) The annual level percentage of payroll contribution rates for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, as determined by the retirement system, are estimated as follows:

(a) For public school employees who first worked for a public school reporting unit before July 1, 2010 and who are enrolled in the health premium subsidy, the annual level percentage of payroll contribution rate is estimated at 36.31%, with 25.78% paid directly by the employer.

(b) For public school employees who first worked for a public school reporting unit on or after July 1, 2010 and who are enrolled in the health premium subsidy, the annual level percentage of payroll contribution rate is estimated at 35.09%, with 24.56% paid directly by the employer.

(c) For public school employees who first worked for a public school reporting unit on or after July 1, 2010 and who participate in the personal healthcare fund, the annual level percentage of payroll contribution rate is estimated at 34.66%, with 24.13% paid directly by the employer.

(d) For public school employees who first worked for a public school reporting unit on or after September 4, 2012, who elect defined contribution, and who participate in the personal healthcare fund, the annual level percentage of payroll contribution rate is estimated at 31.49%, with 20.96% paid directly by the employer.

(e) For public school employees who first worked for a public school reporting unit before July 1, 2010, who elect defined contribution, and who are enrolled in the health premium subsidy, the annual level percentage of payroll contribution rate is estimated at 31.92%, with 21.39% paid directly by the employer.

(f) For public school employees who first worked for a public school reporting unit before July 1, 2010, who elect defined contribution, and who participate in the personal healthcare fund, the annual level percentage of payroll contribution rate is estimated at 31.49%, with 20.96% paid directly by the employer.

(g) For public school employees who first worked for a public school reporting unit before July 1, 2010 and who participate in the personal healthcare fund, the annual level percentage of payroll contribution rate is estimated at 35.88%, with 25.35% paid directly by the employer.

(3) In addition to the employer payments described in subsection (2), the employer shall pay the applicable contributions to the Tier 2 plan, as determined by the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1301 to 38.1408.

(4) The contribution rates in subsection (2) reflect an amortization period of 23 years for 2015-2016. The public school employees’ retirement system board shall notify each district and intermediate district by February 28 of each fiscal year of the estimated contribution rate for the next fiscal year.

Sec. 147a. From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $100,000,000.00 for payments to participating districts. A district that receives money under this section shall use that money solely for the purpose of offsetting a portion of the retirement contributions owed by the district for the fiscal year in which it is received. The amount allocated to each participating district under this section shall be based on each participating district’s percentage of the total statewide payroll for all participating districts for the immediately preceding fiscal year. As used in this section, “participating district” means a district that is a reporting unit of the Michigan public school employees’ retirement system under the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1301 to 38.1408, and that reports employees to the Michigan public school employees’ retirement system for the applicable fiscal year.

Sec. 147c. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $892,900,000.00 from the state school aid fund for payments to districts and intermediate districts that are participating entities of the Michigan public school employees’ retirement system. In addition, from the general fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $600,000.00 for payments to district libraries that are participating entities of the Michigan public school employees’ retirement system.

(2) For 2015-2016, the amounts allocated under subsection (1) are estimated to provide an average MPSERS rate cap per pupil amount of $601.00 and are estimated to provide a rate cap per pupil for districts ranging between $4.00 and $2,300.00.

(3) Payments made under this section for 2015-2016 shall be equal to the difference between the unfunded actuarial accrued liability contribution rate as calculated pursuant to section 41 of the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1341, as calculated without taking into account the maximum employer rate of 20.96% included in section 41 of the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1341, and the maximum employer rate of 20.96% included in section 41 of the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1341.

(4) The amount allocated to each participating entity under this section shall be based on each participating entity’s proportion of the total covered payroll for the immediately preceding fiscal year for the same type of participating entities. A participating entity that receives funds under this section shall use the funds solely for the purpose of retirement contributions as specified in subsection (5).

(5) Each participating entity receiving funds under this section shall forward an amount equal to the amount allocated under subsection (4) to the retirement system in a form, manner, and time frame determined by the retirement system.

(6) Funds allocated under this section should be considered when comparing a district’s growth in total state aid funding from 1 fiscal year to the next.

(7) Not later than December 20, 2015, the department shall publish and post on its website an estimated MPSERS rate cap per pupil for each district.

(8) As used in this section:

(a) “MPSERS rate cap per pupil” means an amount equal to the quotient of the district’s payment under this section divided by the district’s pupils in membership.

(b) “Participating entity” means a district, intermediate district, or district library that is a reporting unit of the Michigan public school employees’ retirement system under the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1301 to 38.1437, and that reports employees to the Michigan public school employees’ retirement system for the applicable fiscal year.

(c) “Retirement board” means the board that administers the retirement system under the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1301 to 38.1437.

(d) “Retirement system” means the Michigan public school employees’ retirement system under the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1301 to 38.1437.

Sec. 152a. (1) As required by the court in the consolidated cases known as Adair v State of Michigan, Michigan supreme court docket nos. 137424 and 137453, from the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11 there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $38,000,500.00 to be used solely for the purpose of paying necessary costs related to the state-mandated collection, maintenance, and reporting of data to this state.

(2) From the allocation in subsection (1), the department shall make payments to districts and intermediate districts in an equal amount per-pupil based on the total number of pupils in membership in each district and intermediate district. The department shall not make any adjustment to these payments after the final installment payment under section 17b is made.

Sec. 163. (1) Except as provided in the revised school code, the board of a district or intermediate district shall not permit any of the following:

(a) A noncertificated educator to teach in an elementary or secondary school or in an adult basic education or high school completion program.

(b) A noncertificated educator to provide counseling services to pupils in an elementary or secondary school or in an adult basic education or high school completion program.

(c) A noncertificated educator to administer instructional programs in an elementary or secondary school, or in an adult basic education or high school completion program, unless that educator is fulfilling applicable continuing education requirements.

(2) Except as provided in the revised school code, a district or intermediate district employing educators not legally certificated or licensed shall have deducted the sum equal to the amount paid the educators for the period of noncertificated, unlicensed, or illegal employment. Each intermediate superintendent shall notify the department of the name of the noncertificated or unlicensed educator, and the district employing that individual and the amount of salary the noncertificated or unlicensed educator was paid within a constituent district.

(3) If a school official is notified by the department that he or she is employing a nonapproved, noncertificated, or unlicensed educator in violation of this section and knowingly continues to employ that educator, the school official is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $1,500.00 for each incidence. This penalty is in addition to all other financial penalties otherwise specified in this article.

Sec. 201. (1) Subject to the conditions set forth in this article, the amounts listed in this section are appropriated for community colleges for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, from the funds indicated in this section. The following is a summary of the appropriations in this section:

(a) The gross appropriation is $387,825,600.00. After deducting total interdepartmental grants and intradepartmental transfers in the amount of $0.00, the adjusted gross appropriation is $387,825,600.00.

(b) The sources of the adjusted gross appropriation described in subdivision (a) are as follows:

(i) Total federal revenues, $0.00.

(ii) Total local revenues, $0.00.

(iii) Total private revenues, $0.00.

(iv) Total other state restricted revenues, $256,714,800.00.

(v) State general fund/general purpose money, $131,110,800.00.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the amount appropriated for community college operations is $311,492,000.00, allocated as follows:

(a) The appropriation for Alpena Community College is $5,464,400.00, $5,390,700.00 for operations and $73,700.00 for performance funding.

(b) The appropriation for Bay de Noc Community College is $5,490,200.00, $5,419,500.00 for operations and $70,700.00 for performance funding.

(c) The appropriation for Delta College is $14,704,000.00, $14,498,900.00 for operations and $205,100.00 for performance funding.

(d) The appropriation for Glen Oaks Community College is $2,551,100.00, $2,516,100.00 for operations and $35,000.00 for performance funding.

(e) The appropriation for Gogebic Community College is $4,509,900.00, $4,451,400.00 for operations and $58,500.00 for performance funding.

(f) The appropriation for Grand Rapids Community College is $18,187,300.00, $17,947,500.00 for operations and $239,800.00 for performance funding.

(g) The appropriation for Henry Ford College is $21,893,300.00, $21,623,800.00 for operations and $269,500.00 for performance funding.

(h) The appropriation for Jackson College is $12,245,300.00, $12,087,300.00 for operations and $158,000.00 for performance funding.

(i) The appropriation for Kalamazoo Valley Community College is $12,689,400.00, $12,503,100.00 for operations and $186,300.00 for performance funding.

(j) The appropriation for Kellogg Community College is $9,950,100.00, $9,813,500.00 for operations and $136,600.00 for performance funding.

(k) The appropriation for Kirtland Community College is $3,221,500.00, $3,167,700.00 for operations and $53,800.00 for performance funding.

(l) The appropriation for Lake Michigan College is $5,417,700.00, $5,342,900.00 for operations and $74,800.00 for performance funding.

(m) The appropriation for Lansing Community College is $31,288,200.00, $30,877,600.00 for operations and $410,600.00 for performance funding.

(n) The appropriation for Macomb Community College is $33,239,500.00, $32,816,600.00 for operations and $422,900.00 for performance funding.

(o) The appropriation for Mid Michigan Community College is $4,757,700.00, $4,682,000.00 for operations and $75,700.00 for performance funding.

(p) The appropriation for Monroe County Community College is $4,565,600.00, $4,492,900.00 for operations and $72,700.00 for performance funding.

(q) The appropriation for Montcalm Community College is $3,280,600.00, $3,226,700.00 for operations and $53,900.00 for performance funding.

(r) The appropriation for C.S. Mott Community College is $15,901,700.00, $15,686,100.00 for operations and $215,600.00 for performance funding.

(s) The appropriation for Muskegon Community College is $9,020,700.00, $8,901,000.00 for operations and $119,700.00 for performance funding.

(t) The appropriation for North Central Michigan College is $3,224,800.00, $3,172,400.00 for operations and $52,400.00 for performance funding.

(u) The appropriation for Northwestern Michigan College is $9,200,500.00, $9,078,800.00 for operations and $121,700.00 for performance funding.

(v) The appropriation for Oakland Community College is $21,429,400.00, $21,123,300.00 for operations and $306,100.00 for performance funding.

(w) The appropriation for St. Clair County Community College is $7,158,000.00, $7,061,600.00 for operations and $96,400.00 for performance funding.

(x) The appropriation for Schoolcraft College is $12,706,400.00, $12,513,700.00 for operations and $192,700.00 for performance funding.

(y) The appropriation for Southwestern Michigan College is $6,657,600.00, $6,576,400.00 for operations and $81,200.00 for performance funding.

(z) The appropriation for Washtenaw Community College is $13,301,100.00, $13,077,300.00 for operations and $223,800.00 for performance funding.

(aa) The appropriation for Wayne County Community College is $16,989,800.00, $16,727,600.00 for operations and $262,200.00 for performance funding.

(bb) The appropriation for West Shore Community College is $2,446,200.00, $2,414,900.00 for operations and $31,300.00 for performance funding.

(3) The amount appropriated in subsection (2) for community college operations is appropriated from the following:

(a) State school aid fund, $236,181,200.00.

(b) State general fund/general purpose money, $75,310,800.00.

(4) From the appropriations described in subsection (1), subject to section 207a, the amount appropriated for fiscal year 2015-2016 to offset certain fiscal year 2015-2016 retirement contributions is $1,733,600.00, appropriated from the state school aid fund.

(5) From the appropriations described in subsection (1), subject to section 207b, the amount appropriated for payments to community colleges that are participating entities of the retirement system is $69,500,000.00, $17,200,000.00 appropriated from the state school aid fund, and $52,300,000.00 appropriated from general fund/general purpose money.

(6) From the appropriations described in subsection (1), subject to section 207c, the amount appropriated for renaissance zone tax reimbursements is $5,100,000.00, $1,600,000.00 appropriated from the state school aid fund, and $3,500,000.00 appropriated from general fund/general purpose money.

Sec. 201a. It is the intent of the legislature to provide appropriations for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2017 for the items listed in section 201. The fiscal year 2016-2017 appropriations are anticipated to be the same as those for fiscal year 2015-2016, except that the amounts will be adjusted for changes in retirement costs, caseload and related costs, federal fund match rates, economic factors, and available revenue. These adjustments will be determined after the January 2016 consensus revenue estimating conference.

Sec. 206. The funds appropriated in section 201 are appropriated for community colleges with fiscal years ending June 30, 2016 and shall be paid out of the state treasury and distributed by the state treasurer to the respective community colleges in 11 monthly installments on the sixteenth of each month, or the next succeeding business day, beginning with October 16, 2015. Each community college shall accrue its July and August 2016 payments to its institutional fiscal year ending June 30, 2016. However, if the state budget director determines that a community college failed to submit all verified Michigan community colleges activities classification structure data for school year 2014‑2015 to the workforce development agency by November 1, 2015, or failed to submit its longitudinal data system data set for school year 2014-2015 to the center for educational performance and information under section 219, the state treasurer shall withhold the monthly installments from that community college until those data are submitted. The state budget director shall notify the chairs of the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on community colleges at least 10 days before withholding funds from any community college.

Sec. 207a. All of the following apply to the allocation of the fiscal year 2015-2016 appropriations described in section 201(4):

(a) A community college that receives money under section 201(4) shall use that money solely for the purpose of offsetting a portion of the retirement contributions owed by the college for that fiscal year.

(b) The amount allocated to each participating community college under section 201(4) shall be based on each college’s percentage of the total covered payroll for all community colleges that are participating colleges in the immediately preceding fiscal year.

Sec. 207b. All of the following apply to the allocation of the fiscal year 2015-2016 appropriations described in section 201(5) for payments to community colleges that are participating entities of the retirement system:

(a) The amount of a payment under section 201(5) shall be the difference between the unfunded actuarial accrued liability contribution rate as calculated under section 41 of the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1341, and the maximum employer rate of 20.96% under section 41 of the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1341.

(b) The amount allocated to each community college under section 201(5) shall be based on each community college’s percentage of the total covered payroll for all community colleges that are participating colleges in the immediately preceding fiscal year. A community college that receives funds under this subdivision shall use the funds solely for the purpose of retirement contributions under section 201(5).

(c) Each participating college that receives funds under section 201(5) shall forward an amount equal to the amount allocated under subdivision (b) to the retirement system in a form and manner determined by the retirement system.

Sec. 207c. All of the following apply to the allocation of the appropriations described in section 201(6) to community colleges described in section 12(3) of the Michigan renaissance zone act, 1996 PA 376, MCL 125.2692:

(a) The amount allocated to each community college under section 201(6) for fiscal year 2015-2016 shall be based on that community college’s proportion of total revenue lost by community colleges as a result of the exemption of property taxes levied in 2015 under the Michigan renaissance zone act, 1996 PA 376, MCL 125.2681 to 125.2696.

(b) The appropriations described in section 201(6) shall be made to each eligible community college within 60 days after the department of treasury certifies to the state budget director that it has received all necessary information to properly determine the amounts payable to each eligible community college under section 12 of the Michigan renaissance zone act, 1996 PA 376, MCL 125.2692.

Sec. 209. (1) Within 30 days after the board of a community college adopts its annual operating budget for the following fiscal year, or after the board adopts a subsequent revision to that budget, the community college shall make all of the following available through a link on its website homepage:

(a) The annual operating budget and subsequent budget revisions.

(b) A link to the most recent “Activities Classification Structure Data Book and Companion”.

(d) A listing of all debt service obligations, detailed by project, anticipated fiscal year 2015-2016 payment of each project, and total outstanding debt.

(e) The estimated cost to the community college resulting from the patient protection and affordable care act, Public Law 111-148, as amended by the health care and education reconciliation act of 2010, Public Law 111-152.

(f) Links to all of the following for the community college:

(i) The current collective bargaining agreement for each bargaining unit.

(iii) Audits and financial reports for the most recent fiscal year for which they are available.

(iv) A copy of the board of trustees resolution regarding compliance with best practices for the local strategic value component described in section 230(2).

(2) For statewide consistency and public visibility, community colleges must use the icon badge provided by the department of technology, management, and budget consistent with the icon badge developed by the department of education for K-12 school districts. It must appear on the front of each community college’s homepage. The size of the icon may be reduced to 150 x 150 pixels.

(3) The state budget director shall determine whether a community college has complied with this section. The state budget director may withhold a community college’s monthly installments described in section 206 until the community college complies with this section. The state budget director shall notify the chairs of the house and senate appropriations subcommittee on community colleges at least 10 days before withholding funds from any community college.

(4) Each community college shall report the following information to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on community colleges, the senate and house fiscal agencies, and the state budget office by November 15 of each fiscal year and post that information on its website as required under subsection (1):

(a) Budgeted fiscal year 2015-2016 general fund revenue from tuition and fees.

(b) Budgeted fiscal year 2015-2016 general fund revenue from state appropriations.

(d) Budgeted fiscal year 2015-2016 total general fund revenue.

(e) Budgeted fiscal year 2015-2016 total general fund expenditures.

(5) By November 15 of each year, a community college shall report the following information to the center for educational performance and information and post the information on its website under the budget transparency icon badge:

(a) Opportunities for earning college credit through the following programs:

(i) State approved career and technical education or a tech prep articulated program of study.

(ii) Direct college credit or concurrent enrollment.

(iii) Dual enrollment.

(iv) An early college/middle college program.

(b) For each program described in subdivision (a) that the community college offers, all of the following information:

(i) The number of high school students participating in the program.

(ii) The number of school districts that participate in the program with the community college.

(iii) Whether a college professor, qualified local school district employee, or other individual teaches the course or courses in the program.

(iv) The total cost to the community college to operate the program.

(v) The cost per credit hour for the course or courses in the program.

(vi) The location where the course or courses in the program are held.

(vii) Instructional resources offered to the program instructors.

(viii) Resources offered to the student in the program.

(ix) Transportation services provided to students in the program.

Sec. 210. (1) Recognizing the critical importance of education in strengthening Michigan’s workforce, each community college is encouraged to explore ways of increasing collaboration and cooperation with 4-year universities, particularly in the areas related to training, instruction, and program articulation.

(2) Recognizing the central role of community colleges in responding to local employment needs and challenges, community colleges shall develop and continue efforts to collaborate with local employers and students to identify local employment needs and strategies to meet them.

(3) Community colleges are encouraged to collaborate with each other on innovations to identify and meet local employment needs.

(4) Community colleges are encouraged to work with universities to develop equivalency standards of core college courses and identify equivalent courses offered by postsecondary institutions.

Sec. 210b. (1) It is the intent of the legislature that the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers implement any agreement or agreements among the community colleges and universities concerning the transferability of college courses resulting from the recommendations of the committee created under former section 210a.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature that the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Michigan Community College Association, and the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan shall together submit an implementation update report to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on community colleges and higher education, the senate and house fiscal agencies, and the state budget director by March 1, 2016.

Sec. 210c. (1) A study committee shall be created to develop a process to improve the transferability and applicability of associate of arts and associate of science degrees as a block of credits between community colleges and public universities on a statewide basis. Building on the Michigan transfer network sponsored by the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and, where possible, existing local articulation agreements between individual institutions, the committee shall work to explore standards for program articulation between institutions so that an associate of arts or associate of science degree earned at a community college is considered the equivalent of the first 60 credits of a baccalaureate degree, and those credits can be seamlessly transferred and applied to the program of study at the receiving university.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature that the study committee created under subsection (1) explore issues relevant to block transfer agreements, including, but not limited to, the satisfaction of all lower division general education requirements, the applicability of equivalent courses to the major program of study, junior-level standing at the university for transfer students, and the completion of the baccalaureate degree with a limit of 60 post-transfer credit hours. Because of the legislature’s interest in promoting degree completion, the study committee should also consider incentives for students to complete both an associate degree and a baccalaureate degree.

(3) The study committee created under subsection (1) shall consist of the following members:

(a) Ten representatives from community colleges selected by the Michigan Community College Association.

(b) Ten representatives from public universities selected by the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan.

(d) One member of the Michigan house of representatives selected by the speaker of the house.

(e) One member of the Michigan house of representatives selected by the minority leader of the house.

(f) One member of the Michigan senate selected by the senate majority leader.

(g) One member of the Michigan senate selected by the senate minority leader.

(4) The study committee created under subsection (1) shall submit a project status report and initial recommendations to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on community colleges and higher education, the senate and house fiscal agencies, and the state budget director by March 1, 2016.

Sec. 210d. Community colleges are encouraged to work with public universities in the state to implement statewide reverse transfer agreements to increase the number of students that are awarded credentials of value upon completion of the necessary credits. These statewide agreements shall enable students who have earned a significant number of credits at a community college and transferred to a baccalaureate-granting institution before completing a degree to transfer the credits earned at the baccalaureate institution back to the community college in order to be awarded a credential of value.

Sec. 217. (1) The workforce development agency shall do all of the following:

(a) Establish, maintain, and coordinate the state community college database commonly known as the “activities classification structure” or “ACS” database.

(b) Collect data concerning community colleges and community college programs in this state, including data required by law.

(d) Develop model data collection policies, including, but not limited to, policies that ensure the privacy of any individual student data. Privacy policies shall ensure that student social security numbers are not released to the public for any purpose.

(e) Provide data in a useful manner to allow state policymakers and community college officials to make informed policy decisions.

(f) Assist community colleges in complying with audits under this section or federal law.

(2) There is created within the workforce development agency the activities classification structure advisory committee. The committee shall provide advice to the director of the workforce development agency regarding the management of the state community college database, including, but not limited to:

(a) Determining what data are necessary to collect and maintain to enable state and community college officials to make informed policy decisions.

(b) Defining the roles of all stakeholders in the data collection system.

(d) Establishing and maintaining data definitions, data transmission protocols, and system specifications and procedures for the efficient and accurate transmission and collection of data.

(e) Establishing and maintaining a process for ensuring the accuracy of the data.

(f) Establishing and maintaining policies related to data collection, including, but not limited to, privacy policies related to individual student data.

(g) Ensuring that the data are made available to state policymakers and citizens of this state in the most useful format possible.

(h) Addressing other matters as determined by the director of the workforce development agency or as required by law.

(3) The activities classification structure advisory committee created in subsection (2) shall consist of the following members:

(a) One representative from the house fiscal agency, appointed by the director of the house fiscal agency.

(b) One representative from the senate fiscal agency, appointed by the director of the senate fiscal agency.

(c) One representative from the workforce development agency, appointed by the director of the workforce development agency.

(d) One representative from the state budget office, appointed by the state budget director.

(e) One representative from the governor’s policy office, appointed by that office.

(f) Four representatives of the Michigan Community College Association, appointed by the president of the association. From the groupings of community colleges given in table 17 of the activities classification structure database described in subsection (1), the association shall appoint 1 representative each from group 1, group 2, and group 3, and 1 representative from either group 3 or 4.

Sec. 222. Each community college shall have an annual audit of all income and expenditures performed by an independent auditor and shall furnish the independent auditor’s management letter and an annual audited accounting of all general and current funds income and expenditures including audits of college foundations to the members of the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on community colleges, the senate and house fiscal agencies, the auditor general, the workforce development agency, and the state budget director before November 15 of each year. If a community college fails to furnish the audit materials, the monthly state aid installments shall be withheld from that college until the information is submitted. All reporting shall conform to the requirements set forth in the “2001 Manual for Uniform Financial Reporting, Michigan Public Community Colleges”. A community college shall make the information the community college is required to provide under this section available to the public on its website.

Sec. 225. Each community college shall report to the house and senate fiscal agencies, the state budget director, and the workforce development agency by August 31, 2015, the tuition and mandatory fees paid by a full-time in-district student and a full-time out-of-district student as established by the college governing board for the 2015-2016 academic year. This report should also include the annual cost of attendance based on a full-time course load of 30 credits. Each community college shall also report any revisions to the reported 2015-2016 academic year tuition and mandatory fees adopted by the college governing board to the house and senate fiscal agencies, the state budget director, and the workforce development agency within 15 days of being adopted.

Sec. 226. Each community college shall report to the workforce development agency the numbers and type of associate degrees and other certificates awarded during the previous fiscal year. The report shall be made not later than November 15 of each year. Community colleges shall work with the workforce development agency and the center for educational performance and information to develop a systematic approach for meeting this requirement.

Sec. 229. (1) Each community college that receives an appropriation in section 201 is expected to include in its admission application process a specific question as to whether an applicant for admission has ever served or is currently serving in the United States armed forces or is the spouse or dependent of an individual who has served or is currently serving in the United States armed forces, in order to more quickly identify potential educational assistance available to that applicant.

(2) It is expected that each public community college that receives an appropriation in section 201 shall work with the house and senate community college subcommittees, the Michigan Community College Association, and veterans groups to review the issue of in-district tuition for veterans of this state when determining tuition rates and fees.

(3) As used in this section, “veteran” means an honorably discharged veteran entitled to educational assistance under the provisions of section 5003 of the post-911 veterans educational assistance act of 2008, 38 USC 3301 to 3325.

Sec. 229a. Included in the fiscal year 2015-2016 appropriations for the department of technology, management, and budget are appropriations totaling $29,479,600.00 to provide funding for the state share of costs for previously constructed capital projects for community colleges. Those appropriations for state building authority rent represent additional state general fund support for community colleges, and the following is an estimate of the amount of that support to each community college:

(a) Alpena Community College, $652,700.00.

(b) Bay de Noc Community College, $685,900.00.

(d) Glen Oaks Community College, $123,100.00.

(e) Gogebic Community College, $67,600.00.

(f) Grand Rapids Community College, $2,126,000.00.

(g) Henry Ford College, $1,028,500.00.

(h) Jackson College, $1,677,800.00.

(i) Kalamazoo Valley Community College, $1,557,700.00.

(j) Kellogg Community College, $520,200.00.

(k) Kirtland Community College, $363,200.00.

(l) Lake Michigan College, $340,200.00.

(m) Lansing Community College, $1,282,200.00.

(n) Macomb Community College, $1,377,400.00.

(o) Mid Michigan Community College, $1,712,600.00.

(p) Monroe County Community College, $1,263,600.00.

(q) Montcalm Community College, $971,500.00.

(r) C.S. Mott Community College, $1,803,900.00.

(s) Muskegon Community College, $267,800.00.

(t) North Central Michigan College, $469,400.00.

(u) Northwestern Michigan College, $1,305,600.00.

(v) Oakland Community College, $465,200.00.

(w) St. Clair County Community College, $356,200.00.

(x) Schoolcraft College, $1,546,700.00.

(y) Southwestern Michigan College, $286,900.00.

(z) Washtenaw Community College, $1,676,800.00.

(aa) Wayne County Community College, $1,462,700.00.

(bb) West Shore Community College, $577,300.00.

Sec. 230. (1) Money included in the appropriations for community college operations under section 201(2) in fiscal year 2015-2016 for performance funding is distributed based on the following formula:

(a) Allocated proportionate to fiscal year 2014-2015 base appropriations, 50%.

(b) Based on contact hour equated students, 10%.

(d) Based on a weighted degree formula as provided for in the 2006 recommendations of the performance indicators task force, 17.5%.

(e) Based on the local strategic value component, as developed in cooperation with the Michigan Community College Association and described in subsection (2), 15%.

(2) Money included in the appropriations for community college operations under section 201(2) for local strategic value shall be allocated to each community college that certifies to the state budget director, through a board of trustees resolution on or before October 15, 2015, that the college has met 4 out of 5 best practices listed in each category described in subsection (3). The resolution shall provide specifics as to how the community college meets each best practice measure within each category. One-third of funding available under the strategic value component shall be allocated to each category described in subsection (3). Amounts distributed under local strategic value shall be on a proportionate basis to each college’s fiscal year 2014-2015 operations funding. Payments to community colleges that qualify for local strategic value funding shall be distributed with the November installment payment described in section 206.

(3) For purposes of subsection (2), the following categories of best practices reflect functional activities of community colleges that have strategic value to the local communities and regional economies:

(a) For Category A, economic development and business or industry partnerships, the following:

(i) The community college has active partnerships with local employers including hospitals and health care providers.

(ii) The community college provides customized on-site training for area companies, employees, or both.

(iii) The community college supports entrepreneurship through a small business assistance center or other training or consulting activities targeted toward small businesses.

(iv) The community college supports technological advancement through industry partnerships, incubation activities, or operation of a Michigan technical education center or other advanced technology center.

(v) The community college has active partnerships with local or regional workforce and economic development agencies.

(b) For Category B, educational partnerships, the following:

(i) The community college has active partnerships with regional high schools, intermediate school districts, and career-tech centers to provide instruction through dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, direct credit, middle college, or academy programs.

(ii) The community college hosts, sponsors, or participates in enrichment programs for area K-12 students, such as college days, summer or after-school programming, or science Olympiad.

(iii) The community college provides, supports, or participates in programming to promote successful transitions to college for traditional age students, including grant programs such as talent search, upward bound, or other activities to promote college readiness in area high schools and community centers.

(iv) The community college provides, supports, or participates in programming to promote successful transitions to college for new or reentering adult students, such as adult basic education, general education development certificate preparation and testing, or recruiting, advising, or orientation activities specific to adults.

(v) The community college has active partnerships with regional 4-year colleges and universities to promote successful transfer, such as articulation, 2+2, or reverse transfer agreements or operation of a university center.

(i) The community college provides continuing education programming for leisure, wellness, personal enrichment, or professional development.

(ii) The community college operates or sponsors opportunities for community members to engage in activities that promote leisure, wellness, cultural or personal enrichment such as community sports teams, theater or musical ensembles, or artist guilds.

(iii) The community college operates public facilities to promote cultural, educational, or personal enrichment for community members, such as libraries, computer labs, performing arts centers, museums, art galleries, or television or radio stations.

(iv) The community college operates public facilities to promote leisure or wellness activities for community members, including gymnasiums, athletic fields, tennis courts, fitness centers, hiking or biking trails, or natural areas.

(v) The community college promotes, sponsors, or hosts community service activities for students, staff, or community members.

(4) Payments for performance funding under section 201(2) shall be made to a community college only if that community college actively participates in the Michigan transfer network sponsored by the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and submits timely updates, including updated course equivalencies at least every 6 months, to the Michigan transfer network. The state budget director shall determine if a community college has not satisfied this requirement. The state budget director may withhold payments for performance funding until a community college is in compliance with this section.

Sec. 230a. (1) A task force shall be formed by October 15, 2015 to review, evaluate, discuss, and make recommendations regarding performance indicators established under the authority of section 242 of 2005 PA 154. The task force shall review whether the current metrics used are the most appropriate and reliable performance indicators available and determine the most efficient methodology for connecting state funding to those indicators.

(2) The task force described in subsection (1) shall consist of the following members:

(a) Two members of the Michigan house of representatives. One member shall be designated by the speaker of the house, and 1 member shall be designated by the house minority leader.

(b) Two members of the Michigan senate. One member shall be designated by the senate majority leader, and 1 member shall be designated by the senate minority leader.

(c) One representative from the department of technology, management, and budget, designated by the state budget director.

(d) Four representatives of Michigan public community colleges. The Michigan Community College Association shall designate 1 representative from each of the 4 groups described in the activities classification structure data book published by the workforce development agency.

(3) The task force described in subsection (1) shall submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on community colleges, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget director by January 15, 2016.

Sec. 236. (1) Subject to the conditions set forth in this article, the amounts listed in this section are appropriated for higher education for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, from the funds indicated in this section. The following is a summary of the appropriations in this section:

(a) The gross appropriation is $1,534,724,400.00. After deducting total interdepartmental grants and intradepartmental transfers in the amount of $0.00, the adjusted gross appropriation is $1,534,724,400.00.

(b) The sources of the adjusted gross appropriation described in subdivision (a) are as follows:

(i) Total federal revenues, $97,026,400.00.

(ii) Total local revenues, $0.00.

(iii) Total private revenues, $0.00.

(iv) Total other state restricted revenues, $205,279,500.00.

(v) State general fund/general purpose money, $1,232,418,500.00.

(2) Amounts appropriated for public universities are as follows:

(a) The appropriation for Central Michigan University is $80,904,400.00, $79,164,800.00 for operations and $1,739,600.00 for performance funding.

(b) The appropriation for Eastern Michigan University is $72,835,300.00, $71,782,500.00 for operations and $1,052,800.00 for performance funding.

(c) The appropriation for Ferris State University is $50,227,800.00, $49,119,100.00 for operations and $1,108,700.00 for performance funding.

(d) The appropriation for Grand Valley State University is $65,035,200.00, $63,156,500.00 for operations and $1,878,700.00 for performance funding.

(e) The appropriation for Lake Superior State University is $13,183,600.00, $12,997,500.00 for operations and $186,100.00 for performance funding.

(f) The appropriation for Michigan State University is $328,782,000.00, $264,437,900.00 for operations, $3,841,000.00 for performance funding, $32,508,300.00 for MSU AgBioResearch, and $27,994,800.00 for MSU Extension.

(g) The appropriation for Michigan Technological University is $46,662,000.00, $45,938,000.00 for operations and $724,000.00 for performance funding.

(h) The appropriation for Northern Michigan University is $45,020,400.00, $44,338,300.00 for operations and $682,100.00 for performance funding.

(i) The appropriation for Oakland University is $49,600,300.00, $48,371,900.00 for operations and $1,228,400.00 for performance funding.

(j) The appropriation for Saginaw Valley State University is $28,117,700.00, $27,621,600.00 for operations and $496,100.00 for performance funding.

(k) The appropriation for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $299,430,600.00, $295,178,500.00 for operations and $4,252,100.00 for performance funding.

(l) The appropriation for University of Michigan - Dearborn is $23,995,400.00, $23,701,000.00 for operations and $294,400.00 for performance funding.

(m) The appropriation for University of Michigan - Flint is $21,763,700.00, $21,359,600.00 for operations and $404,100.00 for performance funding.

(n) The appropriation for Wayne State University is $191,346,700.00, $190,529,900.00 for operations and $816,800.00 for performance funding.

(o) The appropriation for Western Michigan University is $104,155,600.00, $102,761,100.00 for operations and $1,394,500.00 for performance funding.

(3) The amount appropriated in subsection (2) for public universities is appropriated from the following:

(a) State school aid fund, $200,019,500.00.

(b) State general fund/general purpose money, $1,221,041,200.00.

(4) The amount appropriated for Michigan public school employees’ retirement system reimbursement is $5,160,000.00, appropriated from the state school aid fund.

(5) The amount appropriated for state and regional programs is $315,000.00, appropriated from general fund/general purpose money and allocated as follows:

(a) Higher education database modernization and conversion, $200,000.00.

(b) Midwestern Higher Education Compact, $115,000.00.

(6) The amount appropriated for the Martin Luther King, Jr. - Cesar Chavez - Rosa Parks program is $2,691,500.00, appropriated from general fund/general purpose money and allocated as follows:

(a) Select student support services, $1,956,100.00.

(b) Michigan college/university partnership program, $586,800.00.

(7) Subject to subsection (8), the amount appropriated for grants and financial aid is $105,497,200.00, allocated as follows:

(a) State competitive scholarships, $18,361,700.00.

(b) Tuition grants, $34,035,500.00.

(d) Children of veterans and officer’s survivor tuition grant programs, $1,400,000.00.

(e) Project GEAR-UP, $3,200,000.00.

(8) The money appropriated in subsection (7) for grants and financial aid is appropriated from the following:

(a) Federal revenues under the United States Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, GEAR-UP program, $3,200,000.00.

(b) Federal revenues under the social security act, temporary assistance for needy families, $93,826,400.00.

(d) State general fund/general purpose money, $8,370,800.00.

Sec. 236a. It is the intent of the legislature to provide appropriations for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2017 for the items listed in section 236. The fiscal year 2016-2017 appropriations are anticipated to be the same as those for fiscal year 2015-2016, except that the amounts will be adjusted for changes in caseload and related costs, federal fund match rates, economic factors, and available revenue. These adjustments will be determined after the January 2016 consensus revenue estimating conference.

Sec. 236b. In addition to the funds appropriated in section 236, there is appropriated for grants and financial aid in fiscal year 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $6,000,000.00 for federal contingency funds. These funds are not available for expenditure until they have been transferred under section 393(2) of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1393, for another purpose under this article.

Sec. 236c. In addition to the funds appropriated for fiscal year 2015-2016 in section 236, appropriations to the department of technology, management, and budget in the act providing general appropriations for fiscal year 2015-2016 for state building authority rent, totaling an estimated $135,995,300.00, provide funding for the state share of costs for previously constructed capital projects for state universities. These appropriations for state building authority rent represent additional state general fund support provided to public universities, and the following is an estimate of the amount of that support to each university:

(a) Central Michigan University, $9,551,800.00.

(b) Eastern Michigan University, $4,860,900.00.

(d) Grand Valley State University, $6,952,300.00.

(e) Lake Superior State University, $1,720,300.00.

(f) Michigan State University, $16,549,200.00.

(g) Michigan Technological University, $7,443,400.00.

(h) Northern Michigan University, $9,706,200.00.

(i) Oakland University, $12,993,400.00.

(j) Saginaw Valley State University, $9,865,800.00.

(k) University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, $9,607,800.00.

(l) University of Michigan - Dearborn, $6,745,200.00.

(m) University of Michigan - Flint, $3,104,000.00.

(n) Wayne State University, $15,703,000.00.

(o) Western Michigan University, $14,940,800.00.

Sec. 241. (1) Subject to sections 244 and 265a, the funds appropriated in section 236 to public universities shall be paid out of the state treasury and distributed by the state treasurer to the respective institutions in 11 equal monthly installments on the sixteenth of each month, or the next succeeding business day, beginning with October 16, 2015. Except for Wayne State University, each institution shall accrue its July and August 2016 payments to its institutional fiscal year ending June 30, 2016.

(2) All public universities shall submit higher education institutional data inventory (HEIDI) data and associated financial and program information requested by and in a manner prescribed by the state budget director. For public universities with fiscal years ending June 30, 2015, these data shall be submitted to the state budget director by October 15, 2015. Public universities with a fiscal year ending September 30, 2015 shall submit preliminary HEIDI data by November 15, 2015 and final data by December 15, 2015. If a public university fails to submit HEIDI data and associated financial aid program information in accordance with this reporting schedule, the state treasurer may withhold the monthly installments under subsection (1) to the public university until those data are submitted.

Sec. 244. A public university receiving funds in section 236 shall cooperate with all measures taken by the state to develop, operate, and maintain the statewide P-20 longitudinal data system described in section 94a. If the state budget director finds that a university has not complied with this section, the state budget director is authorized to withhold the monthly installments provided to that university under section 241 until he or she finds the university has complied with this section.

Sec. 246. (1) All of the following apply to the allocation of the fiscal year 2015-2016 appropriations described in section 236(4) for payments to universities that are participating entities of the Michigan public school employees’ retirement system:

(a) The funds appropriated in section 236(4) for Michigan public school employees’ retirement system reimbursement shall be allocated to each participating public university under this section based on each participating public university’s percentage of the total combined payrolls of the universities’ employees who are members of the retirement system and who were hired before January 1, 1996 and the universities’ employees who would have been members of the retirement system on or after January 1, 1996, but for the enactment of 1995 PA 272 for all public universities that are participating public universities for the immediately preceding state fiscal year.

(b) The amount of a payment under section 236(4) shall be equal to the difference between the unfunded actuarial accrued liability contribution rate for university reporting units as calculated under section 41 of the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1341, as calculated without taking into account the maximum employer rate of 25.73% included in section 41 of the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1341, and the maximum employer rate for university reporting units of 25.73% under section 41 of the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1341. Payments shall be made in a form and manner determined by the office of retirement services.

(c) A public university that receives money under section 236(4) shall use that money solely for the purpose of retirement contributions. Each participating university that receives funds under section 236(4) shall forward an amount equal to the amount received under section 236(4) to the Michigan public school employees’ retirement system in a form and manner determined by the office of retirement services.

(2) As used in this section, “participating public university” means a public university that is a reporting unit of the Michigan public school employees’ retirement system under the public school employees retirement act of 1979, 1980 PA 300, MCL 38.1301 to 38.1437, and that pays contributions to the Michigan public school employees’ retirement system for the state fiscal year.

Sec. 252. (1) The amounts appropriated in section 236 for the state tuition grant program shall be distributed pursuant to 1966 PA 313, MCL 390.991 to 390.997a.

(2) Tuition grant awards shall be made to all eligible Michigan residents enrolled in undergraduate degree programs who are qualified and who apply before July 1 of each year for the next academic year.

(3) Pursuant to section 5 of 1966 PA 313, MCL 390.995, and subject to subsections (7) and (8), the department of treasury shall determine an actual maximum tuition grant award per student, which shall be no less than $1,512.00, that ensures that the aggregate payments for the tuition grant program do not exceed the appropriation contained in section 236 for the state tuition grant program. If the department determines that insufficient funds are available to establish a maximum award amount equal to at least $1,512.00, the department shall immediately report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget director regarding the estimated amount of additional funds necessary to establish a $1,512.00 maximum award amount. If the department determines that sufficient funds are available to establish a maximum award amount equal to at least $1,512.00, the department shall immediately report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget director regarding the maximum award amount established and the projected amount of any projected year-end appropriation balance based on that maximum award amount. By February 18 of each fiscal year, the department shall analyze the status of award commitments, shall make any necessary adjustments, and shall confirm that those award commitments will not exceed the appropriation contained in section 236 for the tuition grant program. The determination and actions shall be reported to the state budget director and the house and senate fiscal agencies no later than the final day of February of each year. If award adjustments are necessary, the students shall be notified of the adjustment by March 4 of each year.

(4) Any unexpended and unencumbered funds remaining on September 30, 2016 from the amounts appropriated in section 236 for the tuition grant program for fiscal year 2015-2016 shall not lapse on September 30, 2016, but shall continue to be available for expenditure for tuition grants provided in the 2016-2017 fiscal year under a work project account. The use of these unexpended fiscal year 2015-2016 funds shall terminate at the end of the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

(5) The department of treasury shall continue a proportional tuition grant maximum award level for recipients enrolled less than full-time in a given semester or term.

(6) If the department of treasury increases the maximum award per eligible student from that provided in the previous fiscal year, it shall not have the effect of reducing the number of eligible students receiving awards in relation to the total number of eligible applicants. Any increase in the maximum grant shall be proportional for all eligible students receiving awards for that fiscal year.

(7) Except as provided in subsection (4), the department of treasury shall not award more than $3,200,000.00 in tuition grants to eligible students enrolled in the same independent nonprofit college or university in this state. Any decrease in the maximum grant shall be proportional for all eligible students enrolled in that college or university, as determined by the department.

(8) The department of treasury shall not award tuition grants to otherwise eligible students enrolled in an independent college or university that does not report, in a form and manner directed by and satisfactory to the department of treasury, by September 30 of each year, all of the following:

(a) The number of students in the most recently completed academic year who in any academic year received a state tuition grant at the reporting institution and successfully completed a program or graduated.

(b) The number of students in the most recently completed academic year who in any academic year received a state tuition grant at the reporting institution and took a remedial education class.

(c) The number of students in the most recently completed academic year who in any academic year received a Pell grant at the reporting institution and successfully completed a program or graduated.

(9) By February 1, 2016, each independent college and university participating in the tuition grant program shall report to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on higher education, the senate and house fiscal agencies, and the state budget director on its efforts to develop and implement sexual assault response training for the institution’s title IX coordinator, campus law enforcement personnel, campus public safety personnel, and any other campus personnel charged with responding to on-campus incidents, including information on sexual assault response training materials and the status of implementing sexual assault response training for institutional personnel.

Sec. 256. (1) The funds appropriated in section 236 for the tuition incentive program shall be distributed as provided in this section and pursuant to the administrative procedures for the tuition incentive program of the department of treasury.

(2) As used in this section:

(a) “Phase I” means the first part of the tuition incentive assistance program defined as the academic period of 80 semester or 120 term credits, or less, leading to an associate degree or certificate.

(b) “Phase II” means the second part of the tuition incentive assistance program which provides assistance in the third and fourth year of 4-year degree programs.

(3) An individual shall meet the following basic criteria and financial thresholds to be eligible for tuition incentive benefits:

(a) To be eligible for phase I, an individual shall meet all of the following criteria:

(i) Apply for certification to the department any time after he or she begins the sixth grade but before August 31 of the school year in which he or she graduates from high school or before completing a general education development certificate.

(ii) Be less than 20 years of age at the time he or she graduates from high school with a diploma or certificate of completion or completes a general education development certificate.

(iii) Be a United States citizen and a resident of Michigan according to institutional criteria.

(iv) Be at least a half-time student, earning less than 80 semester or 120 term credits at a participating educational institution within 4 years of high school graduation or completion of a general education development certificate.

(v) Request information on filing a FAFSA.

(vi) Must meet the satisfactory academic progress policy of the educational institution he or she attends.

(b) To be eligible for phase II, an individual shall meet either of the following criteria in addition to the criteria in subdivision (a):

(i) Complete at least 56 transferable semester or 84 transferable term credits.

(ii) Obtain an associate degree or certificate at a participating institution.

(c) To be eligible for phase I or phase II, an individual must not be incarcerated and must be financially eligible as determined by the department. An individual is financially eligible for the tuition incentive program if he or she was eligible for Medicaid from the state of Michigan for 24 months within the 36 months before application. The department shall accept certification of Medicaid eligibility only from the department of health and human services for the purposes of verifying if a person is Medicaid eligible for 24 months within the 36 months before application. Certification of eligibility may begin in the sixth grade. As used in this subdivision, “incarcerated” does not include detention of a juvenile in a state-operated or privately operated juvenile detention facility.

(4) For phase I, the department shall provide payment on behalf of a person eligible under subsection (3). The department shall reject billings that are excessive or outside the guidelines for the type of educational institution.

(5) For phase I, all of the following apply:

(a) Payments for associate degree or certificate programs shall not be made for more than 80 semester or 120 term credits for any individual student at any participating institution.

(b) For persons enrolled at a Michigan community college, the department shall pay the current in-district tuition and mandatory fees. For persons residing in an area that is not included in any community college district, the out-of-district tuition rate may be authorized.

(c) For persons enrolled at a Michigan public university, the department shall pay lower division resident tuition and mandatory fees for the current year.

(d) For persons enrolled at a Michigan independent, nonprofit degree-granting college or university, or a Michigan federal tribally controlled community college, or Focus: HOPE, the department shall pay mandatory fees for the current year and a per-credit payment that does not exceed the average community college in-district per-credit tuition rate as reported on August 1, for the immediately preceding academic year.

(6) A person participating in phase II may be eligible for additional funds not to exceed $500.00 per semester or $400.00 per term up to a maximum of $2,000.00 subject to the following conditions:

(a) Credits are earned in a 4-year program at a Michigan degree-granting 4-year college or university.

(b) The tuition reimbursement is for coursework completed within 30 months of completion of the phase I requirements.

(7) The department shall work closely with participating institutions to develop an application and eligibility determination process that will provide the highest level of participation and ensure that all requirements of the program are met.

(8) Applications for the tuition incentive program may be approved at any time after the student begins the sixth grade. If a determination of financial eligibility is made, that determination is valid as long as the student meets all other program requirements and conditions.

(9) Each institution shall ensure that all known available restricted grants for tuition and fees are used prior to billing the tuition incentive program for any portion of a student’s tuition and fees.

(10) The department shall ensure that the tuition incentive program is well publicized and that eligible Medicaid clients are provided information on the program. The department shall provide the necessary funding and staff to fully operate the program.

Sec. 263. (1) Included in the appropriation in section 236 for fiscal year 2015-2016 for MSU AgBioResearch is $2,982,900.00 and included in the appropriation in section 236 for MSU Extension is $2,645,200.00 for Project GREEEN. Project GREEEN is intended to address critical regulatory, food safety, economic, and environmental problems faced by this state’s plant-based agriculture, forestry, and processing industries. “GREEEN” is an acronym for Generating Research and Extension to Meet Environmental and Economic Needs.

(2) The department of agriculture and rural development and Michigan State University, in consultation with agricultural commodity groups and other interested parties, shall develop Project GREEEN and its program priorities.

Sec. 263a. (1) Not later than September 30 of each year, Michigan State University shall submit a report on MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on agriculture and on higher education, the house and senate standing committees on agriculture, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget director for the preceding academic fiscal year.

(2) The report required under subsection (1) shall include all of the following:

(a) Total funds expended by MSU AgBioResearch and by MSU Extension identified by state, local, private, federal, and university fund sources.

(b) The metric goals that were used to evaluate the impacts of programs operated by MSU Extension and MSU AgBioResearch. It is the intent of the legislature that the following metric goals will be used to evaluate the impacts of those programs:

(i) Increasing the number of agriculture and food-related firms collaborating with and using services of research and extension faculty and staff by 3% per year.

(ii) Increasing the number of individuals utilizing MSU Extension’s educational services by 5% per year.

(iii) Increasing external funds generated in support of research and extension, beyond state appropriations, by 10% over the amounts generated in the past 3 state fiscal years.

(iv) Increasing the sector’s total economic impact to at least $100,000,000,000.00.

(v) Increasing Michigan’s agricultural exports to at least $3,500,000,000.00.

(vi) Increasing jobs in the food and agriculture sector by 10%.

(vii) Improving access by Michigan consumers to healthy foods by 20%.

(c) A review of major programs within both MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension with specific reference to accomplishments, impacts, and the metrics described in subdivision (b), including a specific accounting of Project GREEEN expenditures and the impact of those expenditures.

Sec. 264. Included in the appropriation in section 236 for fiscal year 2015-2016 for Michigan State University is $80,000.00 for the Michigan Future Farmers of America Association. This $80,000.00 allocation shall not supplant any existing support that Michigan State University provides to the Michigan Future Farmers of America Association.

Sec. 265. (1) Payments under section 265a for performance funding shall only be made to a public university that certifies to the state budget director by August 31, 2015 that its board did not adopt an increase in tuition and fee rates for resident undergraduate students after September 1, 2014 for the 2014-2015 academic year and that its board will not adopt an increase in tuition and fee rates for resident undergraduate students for the 2015-2016 academic year that is greater than 3.2%. As used in this subsection:

(a) “Fee” means any board-authorized fee that will be paid by more than 1/2 of all resident undergraduate students at least once during their enrollment at a public university. A university increasing a fee that applies to a specific subset of students or courses shall provide sufficient information to prove that the increase applied to that subset will not cause the increase in the average amount of board-authorized total tuition and fees paid by resident undergraduate students in the 2015-2016 academic year to exceed the limit established in this subsection.

(b) “Tuition and fee rate” means the average of full-time rates for all undergraduate classes, based on an average of the rates authorized by the university board and actually charged to students, deducting any uniformly rebated or refunded amounts, for the 2 semesters with the highest levels of full-time equated resident undergraduate enrollment during the academic year.

(c) For purposes of subdivision (a), for a public university that compels resident undergraduate students to be covered by health insurance as a condition to enroll at the university, “fee” includes the annual amount a student is charged for coverage by the university-affiliated group health insurance policy if he or she does not provide proof that he or she is otherwise covered by health insurance. This subdivision does not apply to limited subsets of resident undergraduate students to be covered by health insurance for specific reasons other than general enrollment at the university.

(2) The state budget director shall implement uniform reporting requirements to ensure that a public university receiving a payment under section 265a for performance funding has satisfied the tuition restraint requirements of this section. The state budget director shall have the sole authority to determine if a public university has met the requirements of this section. Information reported by a public university to the state budget director under this subsection shall also be reported to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education and the house and senate fiscal agencies.

Sec. 265a. (1) Appropriations to public universities in section 236 for fiscal year 2015-2016 for performance funding shall be paid only to a public university that complies with section 265 and certifies to the state budget director, the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education, and the house and senate fiscal agencies by August 31, 2015 that it complies with all of the following requirements:

(a) The university participates in reverse transfer agreements described in section 286 with at least 3 Michigan community colleges or has made a good-faith effort to enter into reverse transfer agreements.

(b) The university does not and will not consider whether dual enrollment credits earned by an incoming student were utilized towards his or her high school graduation requirements when making a determination as to whether those credits may be used by the student toward completion of a university degree or certificate program.

(c) The university participates in the Michigan Transfer Network created as part of the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers transfer agreement.

(2) Any performance funding amounts under section 236 that are not paid to a public university because it did not comply with 1 or more requirements under subsection (1) are unappropriated and reappropriated for performance funding to those public universities that meet the requirements under subsection (1), distributed in proportion to their performance funding appropriation amounts under section 236.

(3) The state budget director shall report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education and the house and senate fiscal agencies by September 30, 2015, regarding any performance funding amounts that are not paid to a public university because it did not comply with 1 or more requirements under subsection (1) and any reappropriation of funds under subsection (2).

(4) Performance funding amounts described in section 236 are distributed based on the following formula:

(a) Based on weighted undergraduate completions in critical skills areas, 22.2%.

(b) Based on research and development expenditures, for universities classified in Carnegie classifications as doctoral/research universities, research universities (high research activity), or research universities (very high research activity) only, 11.1%.

(c) Based on 6-year graduation rate, total degree completions, and institutional support as a percentage of core expenditures, and the percentage of students receiving Pell grants, scored against national Carnegie classification peers and weighted by total undergraduate fiscal year equated students, 66.7%.

(5) For purposes of determining the score of a university under subsection (4)(c), each university is assigned 1 of the following scores:

(a) A university classified as in the top 20%, a score of 3.

(b) A university classified as above national median, a score of 2.

(c) A university classified as improving, a score of 2. It is the intent of the legislature that, beginning in the 2016‑2017 state fiscal year, a university classified as improving is assigned a score of 1.

(d) A university that is not included in subdivision (a), (b), or (c), a score of 0.

(6) For purposes of this section, “Carnegie classification” shall mean the basic classification of the university according to the most recent version of the Carnegie classification of institutions of higher education, published by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Sec. 267. All public universities shall submit the amount of tuition and fees actually charged to a full-time resident undergraduate student for academic year 2015-2016 as part of their higher education institutional data inventory (HEIDI) data by August 31 of each year. A public university shall report any revisions for any semester of the reported academic year 2015-2016 tuition and fee charges to HEIDI within 15 days of being adopted.

Sec. 268. (1) For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, it is the intent of the legislature that funds be allocated for unfunded North American Indian tuition waiver costs incurred by public universities under 1976 PA 174, MCL 390.1251 to 390.1253, from the general fund.

(2) By February 15 of each year, the department of civil rights shall annually submit to the state budget director, the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education, and the house and senate fiscal agencies a report on North American Indian tuition waivers for the preceding fiscal year that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following information for each postsecondary institution:

(a) The total number of waiver applications.

(b) The total number of waivers granted and the monetary value of each waiver.

(d) The number of students who successfully complete a degree or certificate program and the 6-year graduation rate.

(3) A public university that receives funds under section 236 shall provide to the department of civil rights any information necessary for preparing the report detailed in subsection (2).

Sec. 269. For fiscal year 2015-2016, from the amount appropriated in section 236 to Central Michigan University for operations, $29,700.00 shall be paid to Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College for the costs of waiving tuition for North American Indians under 1976 PA 174, MCL 390.1251 to 390.1253.

Sec. 270. For fiscal year 2015-2016, from the amount appropriated in section 236 to Lake Superior State University for operations, $100,000.00 shall be paid to Bay Mills Community College for the costs of waiving tuition for North American Indians under 1976 PA 174, MCL 390.1251 to 390.1253.

Sec. 274. It is the intent of the legislature that public and private organizations that conduct human embryonic stem cell derivation subject to section 27 of article I of the state constitution of 1963 will provide information to the director of the department of health and human services by December 1, 2015 that includes all of the following:

(a) Documentation that the organization conducting human embryonic stem cell derivation is conducting its activities in compliance with the requirements of section 27 of article I of the state constitution of 1963 and all relevant National Institutes of Health guidelines pertaining to embryonic stem cell derivation.

(b) A list of all human embryonic stem cell lines submitted by the organization to the National Institutes of Health for inclusion in the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry before and during fiscal year 2014-2015, and the status of each submission as approved, pending approval, or review completed but not yet accepted.

(c) Number of human embryonic stem cell lines derived and not submitted for inclusion in the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry, before and during fiscal year 2014-2015.

Sec. 274c. By February 1, 2016, each university receiving funds under section 236 shall report to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on higher education, the senate and house fiscal agencies, and the state budget director on its efforts to develop and implement sexual assault response training for the university’s title IX coordinator, campus law enforcement personnel, campus public safety personnel, and any other campus personnel charged with responding to on-campus incidents, including information on sexual assault response training materials and the status of implementing sexual assault response training for campus personnel.

Sec. 276. (1) Included in the appropriation for fiscal year 2015-2016 for each public university in section 236 is funding for the Martin Luther King, Jr. - Cesar Chavez - Rosa Parks future faculty program that is intended to increase the pool of academically or economically disadvantaged candidates pursuing faculty teaching careers in postsecondary education. Preference may not be given to applicants on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, or national origin. Institutions should encourage applications from applicants who would otherwise not adequately be represented in the graduate student and faculty populations. Each public university shall apply the percentage change applicable to every public university in the calculation of appropriations in section 236 to the amount of funds allocated to the future faculty program.

(2) The program shall be administered by each public university in a manner prescribed by the workforce development agency. The workforce development agency shall use a good faith effort standard to evaluate whether a fellowship is in default.

Sec. 277. (1) Included in the appropriation for fiscal year 2015-2016 for each public university in section 236 is funding for the Martin Luther King, Jr. - Cesar Chavez - Rosa Parks college day program that is intended to introduce academically or economically disadvantaged schoolchildren to the potential of a college education. Preference may not be given to participants on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, or national origin. Public universities should encourage participation from those who would otherwise not adequately be represented in the student population.

(2) Individual program plans of each public university shall include a budget of equal contributions from this program, the participating public university, the participating school district, and the participating independent degree-granting college. College day funds shall not be expended to cover indirect costs. Not more than 20% of the university match shall be attributable to indirect costs. Each public university shall apply the percentage change applicable to every public university in the calculation of appropriations in section 236 to the amount of funds allocated to the college day program.

(3) The program described in this section shall be administered by each public university in a manner prescribed by the workforce development agency.

Sec. 278. (1) Included in section 236 for fiscal year 2015-2016 is funding for the Martin Luther King, Jr. - Cesar Chavez - Rosa Parks select student support services program for developing academically or economically disadvantaged student retention programs for 4-year public and independent educational institutions in this state. Preference may not be given to participants on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, or national origin. Institutions should encourage participation from those who would otherwise not adequately be represented in the student population.

(2) An award made under this program to any 1 institution shall not be greater than $150,000.00, and the amount awarded shall be matched on a 70% state, 30% college or university basis.

(3) The program described in this section shall be administered by the workforce development agency.

Sec. 279. (1) Included in section 236 for fiscal year 2015-2016 is funding for the Martin Luther King, Jr. - Cesar Chavez - Rosa Parks college/university partnership program between 4-year public and independent colleges and universities and public community colleges, which is intended to increase the number of academically or economically disadvantaged students who transfer from community colleges into baccalaureate programs. Preference may not be given to participants on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, or national origin. Institutions should encourage participation from those who would otherwise not adequately be represented in the transfer student population.

(2) The grants shall be made under the program described in this section to Michigan public and independent colleges and universities. An award to any 1 institution shall not be greater than $150,000.00, and the amount awarded shall be matched on a 70% state, 30% college or university basis.

(3) The program described in this section shall be administered by the workforce development agency.

Sec. 280. (1) Included in the appropriation for fiscal year 2015-2016 for each public university in section 236 is funding for the Martin Luther King, Jr. - Cesar Chavez - Rosa Parks visiting professors program which is intended to increase the number of instructors in the classroom to provide role models for academically or economically disadvantaged students. Preference may not be given to participants on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, or national origin. Public universities should encourage participation from those who would otherwise not adequately be represented in the student population.

(2) The program described in this section shall be administered by the workforce development agency.

Sec. 281. (1) Included in the appropriation for fiscal year 2015-2016 in section 236 is funding under the Martin Luther King, Jr. - Cesar Chavez - Rosa Parks initiative for the Morris Hood, Jr. educator development program which is intended to increase the number of academically or economically disadvantaged students who enroll in and complete K-12 teacher education programs at the baccalaureate level. Preference may not be given to participants on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, or national origin. Institutions should encourage participation from those who would otherwise not adequately be represented in the teacher education student population.

(2) The program described in this section shall be administered by each state-approved teacher education institution in a manner prescribed by the workforce development agency.

(3) Approved teacher education institutions may and are encouraged to use student support services funding in coordination with the Morris Hood, Jr. funding to achieve the goals of the program described in this section.

Sec. 282. Each institution receiving funds for fiscal year 2015-2016 under section 278, 279, or 281 shall notify the workforce development agency by April 15, 2016 as to whether it will expend by the end of its fiscal year the funds received under section 278, 279, or 281. Notwithstanding the award limitations in sections 278 and 279, the amount of funding reported as not being expended will be reallocated to the institutions that intend to expend all funding received under section 278, 279, or 281.

Sec. 283. (1) From the amount appropriated in section 236, the public universities shall systematically inform Michigan high schools regarding the academic status of students from each high school in a manner prescribed by the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan in cooperation with the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals. Public universities shall also work with the center for educational performance and information to maintain a systematic approach for accomplishing this task.

(2) Michigan high schools shall systematically inform the public universities about the use of information received under this section in a manner prescribed by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals in cooperation with the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan.

Sec. 284. From the amount appropriated in section 236, the public universities shall inform Michigan community colleges regarding the academic status of community college transfer students in a manner prescribed by the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan in cooperation with the Michigan Community College Association. Public universities shall also work with the center for educational performance and information to maintain a systematic approach for accomplishing this task.

Sec. 286. Public universities shall work with community colleges in the state to implement statewide reverse transfer agreements to increase the number of students that are awarded credentials of value upon completion of the necessary credits. These statewide agreements shall enable students who have earned a significant number of credits at a community college and transfer to a baccalaureate granting institution before completing a degree to transfer the credits earned at the baccalaureate institution back to the community college in order to be awarded a credential of value.

Enacting section 1. (1) In accordance with section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources on school aid for fiscal year 2014-2015 under article I of the state school aid act of 1979, 1979 PA 94, MCL 388.1601 to 388.1772, as amended by 2014 PA 196, 2015 PA 5, and this amendatory act, is estimated at $11,865,797,400.00 and state appropriations for school aid to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2014‑2015 are estimated at $11,714,612,100.00. In accordance with section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources on school aid for fiscal year 2015-2016 under article I of the state school aid act of 1979, 1979 PA 94, MCL 388.1601 to 388.1772, as amended by this amendatory act, is estimated at $12,120,560,100.00 and state appropriations for school aid to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2015‑2016 are estimated at $11,962,930,600.00.

(2) In accordance with section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources for community colleges for fiscal year 2015-2016 under article II of the state school aid act of 1979, 1979 PA 94, MCL 388.1801 to 388.1830, as amended by this amendatory act, is estimated at $387,825,600.00 and the amount of that state spending from state sources to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2015-2016 is estimated at $387,825,600.00.

(3) In accordance with section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources for higher education for fiscal year 2015-2016 under article III of the state school aid act of 1979, 1979 PA 94, MCL 388.1836 to 388.1893, as amended by this amendatory act, is estimated at $1,437,698,000.00 and the amount of that state spending from state sources to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2015-2016 is estimated at $0.00.

Enacting section 2. Sections 12, 22c, 22f, 22j, 31b, 32r, 64c, 64d, 74a, 99, 99b, 147d, 213, 259, 262a, 272a, 273, and 274a of the state school aid act of 1979, 1979 PA 94, MCL 388.1612, 388.1622c, 388.1622f, 388.1622j, 388.1631b, 388.1632r, 388.1664c, 388.1664d, 388.1674a, 388.1699, 388.1699b, 388.1747d, 388.1813, 388.1859, 388.1862a, 388.1872a, 388.1873, and 388.1874a, are repealed effective October 1, 2015.

Enacting section 3. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), this amendatory act takes effect October 1, 2015.

(2) Sections 11, 11m, 11r, 15, 18a, 22a, 22b, 51a, 51c, and 95a of the state school aid act of 1979, 1979 PA 94, MCL 388.1611, 388.1611m, 388.1611r, 388.1615, 388.1618a, 388.1622a, 388.1622b, 388.1651a, 388.1651c, and 388.1695a, as amended by this amendatory act, take effect upon enactment of this amendatory act.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Clerk of the House of Representatives

Secretary of the Senate

Approved

Governor