Section 388.1698 - Michigan virtual high school; powers and duties of Michigan virtual university; report; definitions.

THE STATE SCHOOL AID ACT OF 1979 (EXCERPT)
Act 94 of 1979

***** 388.1698 THIS SECTION IS AMENDED EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2010: See 388.1698.amended *****



388.1698 Michigan virtual high school; powers and duties of Michigan virtual university; report; definitions.

Sec. 98.

(1) From the general fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,687,500.00 for 2009-2010 to provide a grant to the Michigan virtual university for the development, implementation, and operation of the Michigan virtual high school; to provide professional development opportunities for educators; and to fund other purposes described in this section. In addition, from the federal funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2009-2010 an amount estimated at $2,700,000.00.

(2) The Michigan virtual high school shall have the following goals:

(a) Significantly expand curricular offerings for high schools across this state through agreements with districts or licenses from other recognized providers.

(b) Create statewide instructional models using interactive multimedia tools delivered by electronic means, including, but not limited to, the internet, digital broadcast, or satellite network, for distributed learning at the high school level.

(c) Provide pupils with opportunities to develop skills and competencies through online learning.

(d) Grant high school diplomas through a dual enrollment method with districts.

(e) Act as a broker for college level equivalent courses, as defined in section 1471 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1471, and dual enrollment courses from postsecondary education institutions.

(f) Maintain the accreditation status of the Michigan virtual high school from recognized national and international accrediting entities.

(3) The Michigan virtual high school course offerings shall include, but are 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.

(c) Courses and dual enrollment opportunities.

(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 that teach Michigan educators how to develop and deliver online instructional services.

(4) From the federal funds allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2009-2010 an amount estimated at $1,700,000.00 from DED-OESE, title II, improving teacher quality funds for a grant to the Michigan virtual university for the purpose of this subsection. With the approval of the department, the Michigan virtual university shall coordinate the following activities related to DED-OESE, title II, improving teacher quality funds in accordance with federal law:

(a) Develop, and assist districts in the development and use of, proven, innovative strategies to deliver intensive professional development programs that are both cost-effective and easily accessible, such as strategies that involve delivery through the use of technology, peer networks, and distance learning.

(b) Encourage and support the training of teachers and administrators to effectively integrate technology into curricula and instruction.

(c) Coordinate the activities of eligible partnerships that include higher education institutions for the purposes of providing professional development activities for teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals as defined in federal law.

(d) Offer teachers opportunities to learn new skills and strategies for developing and delivering instructional services.

(e) Provide online professional development opportunities for educators to update and expand knowledge and skills needed to support the Michigan merit curriculum core content standards and credit requirements.

(5) The Michigan virtual university shall offer at least 200 hours of online professional development for classroom teachers under this section each fiscal year beginning in 2006-2007 without charge to the teachers or to districts or intermediate districts.

(6) From the federal funds appropriated in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2009-2010 an amount estimated at $1,000,000.00 from the DED-OESE, title II, educational technology grant funds to support e-learning and virtual school initiatives consistent with the goals contained in the United States national educational technology plan issued in January 2005. These funds shall be used to support activities designed to build the capacity of the Michigan virtual university and shall not be used to supplant other funding. Not later than November 30, 2009, from the funds allocated in this subsection, the department shall award a single grant of $1,000,000.00 to a consortium or partnership established by the Michigan virtual university that meets the requirements of this subsection. To be eligible for this funding, a consortium or partnership established by the Michigan virtual university shall include at least 1 intermediate district and at least 1 high-need local district. All of the following apply to this funding:

(a) An eligible consortium or partnership must demonstrate the following:

(i) Prior success in delivering online courses and instructional services to K-12 pupils throughout this state.

(ii) Expertise in designing, developing, and evaluating online K-12 course content.

(iii) Experience in maintaining a statewide help desk service for pupils, online teachers, and other school personnel.

(iv) Knowledge and experience in providing technical assistance and support to K-12 schools in the area of online education.

(v) Experience in training and supporting K-12 educators in this state to teach online courses.

(vi) Demonstrated technical expertise and capacity in managing complex technology systems.

(vii) Experience promoting twenty-first century learning skills through the use of online technologies.

(b) The Michigan virtual university, which operates the Michigan virtual high school, shall perform the following tasks related to this funding:

(i) Strengthen its capacity by pursuing activities, policies, and practices that increase the overall number of Michigan virtual high school course enrollments and course completions by at-risk students.

(ii) Examine the curricular and specific course content needs of middle and high school students in the areas of mathematics and science.

(iii) Design, develop, and acquire online courses and related supplemental resources aligned to state standards to create a comprehensive and rigorous statewide catalog of online courses and instructional services.

(iv) Continue to evaluate and conduct pilot programs for new and innovative online tools, resources, and courses.

(v) Evaluate existing online teaching and learning practices and develop continuous improvement strategies to enhance student achievement.

(vi) Develop, support, and maintain the technology infrastructure and related software required to deliver online courses and instructional services to students statewide.

(7) If a home-schooled or nonpublic school student is a resident of a district that subscribes to services provided by the Michigan virtual high school, the student may use the services provided by the Michigan virtual high school to the district without charge to the student beyond what is charged to a district pupil using the same services.

(8) Not later than December 1, 2009, 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 high school for the preceding state fiscal year:

(a) A list of the Michigan schools served by the Michigan virtual high school.

(b) A list of online course titles available to Michigan schools.

(c) The total number of online course enrollments and information on registrations and completions by course.

(d) The overall course completion rate percentage.

(e) A summary of DED-OESE, title IIA, teacher quality grant and DED-OESE, title IID, education technology grant expenditures.

(f) Identification of unmet educational needs that could be addressed by the Michigan virtual high school.

(9) As used in this section:

(a) "DED-OESE" means the United States department of education office of elementary and secondary education.

(b) "High-need local district" means a local educational agency as defined in the enhancing education through technology part of the no child left behind act of 2001, Public Law 107-110.

(c) "State education agency" means the department.


History: Add. 2000, Act 297, Imd. Eff. July 26, 2000 ;-- Am. 2001, Act 121, Imd. Eff. Sept. 28, 2001 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 191, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2002 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 521, Imd. Eff. July 25, 2002 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 158, Eff. Oct. 1, 2003 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 351, Eff. Oct. 1, 2004 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 155, Eff. Oct. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 342, Eff. Oct. 1, 2006 ;-- Am. 2007, Act 137, Imd. Eff. Nov. 8, 2007 ;-- Am. 2008, Act 268, Eff. Oct. 1, 2008 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 121, Imd. Eff. Oct. 19, 2009
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 388.1698, which pertained to professional development programs, was repealed by Act 336 of 1993, Eff. Oct. 1, 1994.In subsection (1), as amended by Act 121 of 2001, the phrase “and for 2002-2003” was vetoed by the governor September 28, 2001.Enacting section 3 of Act 521 of 2002 provides:“Enacting section 3. This amendatory act does not take effect unless the tax on cigarettes under the tobacco products tax act, 1993 PA 327, MCL 205.421 to 205.436, is increased by 50 cents or more per pack of cigarettes (25 mills per cigarette) effective on or before September 30, 2002 and the revenue from not less than 20 cents per pack of cigarettes (10 mills per cigarette) of that increase is dedicated by law for deposit into the state school aid fund established by section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963.”For legislation increasing tax on cigarettes and dedicating a portion of increased revenue to state school aid fund, see 2002 PA 503, Imd. Eff. July 18, 2002.Enacting section 1 of Act 351 of 2004 provides:“Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act from state sources for fiscal year 2004-2005 is estimated at $11,173,900,000.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2004-2005 are estimated at $11,113,650,400.00.”Enacting section 1 of 2005 PA 155 provides:"Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act and in House Bill No. 4831 of the 93rd Legislature from state sources for fiscal year 2005-2006 is estimated at $11,364,814,000.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2005-2006 are estimated at $11,341,913,100.00."Enacting section 1 of Act 342 of 2006 provides:"Enacting section 1. (1) In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act from state sources for fiscal year 2006-2007 is estimated at $11,682,508,200.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2006-2007 are estimated at $11,536,597,200.00.(2) In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources for fiscal year 2005-2006 in this amendatory act and 2005 PA 155 is estimated at $11,308,027,200.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2004-2005 are estimated at $11,285,376,300.00."Enacting section 1 of Act 137 of 2007 provides:"Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act from state sources for fiscal year 2007-2008 is estimated at $11,527,973,800.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2007-2008 are estimated at $11,458,493,300.00."Enacting section 1 of Act 268 of 2008 provides:"Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act from state sources for fiscal year 2008-2009 is estimated at $11,816,898,200.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2008-2009 are estimated at $11,602,465,900.00."Enacting section 1 of Act 121 of 2009 provides:"Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act from state sources for fiscal year 2009-2010 is estimated at $10,825,754,100.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2009-2010 are estimated at $10,718,801,700.00."