June 8, 2005, Introduced by Senators BIRKHOLZ, BISHOP, CASSIS, ALLEN, KUIPERS and McMANUS and referred to the Committee on Education.
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled
"The revised school code,"
by amending section 1277 (MCL 380.1277), as amended by 1997 PA 179.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1277. (1) Considering criteria established by the state
board, in addition to the requirements specified in section 1280
for accreditation under that section, if the board of a school
district wants all of the schools of the school district to be
accredited under section 1280, the board shall adopt and implement
and, not later than September 1 each year, shall make available to
the department a copy of a 3- to 5-year school improvement plan and
continuing school improvement process for each school within the
school district. The school improvement plans shall include, but
are not limited to, a mission statement, goals based on student
academic objectives for all students, curriculum alignment
corresponding with those goals, evaluation processes, staff
development, development and utilization of community resources and
volunteers, the role of adult and community education, libraries
and community colleges in the learning community, and building
level decision making. School board members, school building
administrators, teachers and other school employees, pupils,
parents of pupils attending that school, and other residents of the
school district shall be invited and allowed to voluntarily
participate in the development, review, and evaluation of the
district's school improvement plans. Upon request of the board of a
school district, the department and the intermediate school
district shall assist the school district in the development and
implementation of district school improvement plans. Educational
organizations may also provide assistance for these purposes.
School improvement plans described in this section shall be updated
annually by each school and by the board of the school district.
(2) School improvement plans shall include at least all of
the following additional matters:
(a) Goals centered on student academic learning.
(b) Strategies to accomplish the goals.
(c) Evaluation of the plan.
(d) Development of alternative measures of assessment that
will provide authentic assessment of pupils' achievements, skills,
and competencies.
(e) Methods for effective use of technology as a way of
improving learning and delivery of services and for integration of
evolving technology in the curriculum.
(f) Ways to make available in as many fields as practicable
opportunities for structured on-the-job learning, such as
apprenticeships and internships, combined with classroom
instruction.
(3) Beginning in 2005-2006, if a school or school district
does not meet adequate yearly progress requirements in English
language arts under the no child left behind act of 2001, Public
Law 107-110, for any of grades K to 5 or for any subgroup in those
grades, the school improvement plan for the school or school
district shall meet both of the following:
(a) Shall describe the strategy the school or school district
will use to meet those adequate yearly progress requirements for
all of those grades and all subgroups in those grades. This
description shall include a description of any professional
development needed to increase the percentage of pupils reading at
grade level.
(b) Shall address the need and the resources available in the
school or school district for implementing an early intervening
program for pupils in grades K to 3 that will monitor individual
pupil learning and provide specific support or learning strategies
as early as possible in order to reduce the need for special
education placement. The program should include literacy and
numeracy supports, sensory motor skill development, behavior
supports, instructional consultation for teachers, and the
development of a parent/school learning plan.
(4) The department annually shall review pupil data to
determine which schools and school districts are subject to
subsection (3) and shall notify those schools and school districts
in a timely manner that will allow them to comply with subsection
(3).
(5)
(3) Each
intermediate school board shall adopt and
implement and, not later than September 1 each year, shall make
available to the department a copy of a 3- to 5-year intermediate
school district school improvement plan and continuing school
improvement process for the intermediate school district.
Constituent and intermediate school board members, school building
administrators, teachers and other school employees, pupils,
parents of pupils, and residents of the intermediate school
district shall be invited and allowed to voluntarily participate in
the development, review, and evaluation of the intermediate school
district's school improvement plan. Upon request of the
intermediate school board, the department shall assist the
intermediate school district in the development and implementation
of an intermediate school district school improvement plan. An
intermediate school district school improvement plan described in
this section shall be updated annually by the intermediate school
board. An intermediate school district school improvement plan
shall include at least all of the following:
(a) Methods to assist districts in improving pupils' academic
learning.
(b) Assurance that all pupils have reasonable access to all
programs offered by the intermediate school district, including,
but not limited to, transportation if necessary.
(c) A plan for professional development that supports
academic learning.
(d) Methods to assist school districts in integrating applied
academics and career and employability skills into all curricular
areas.
(e) Ways to make available in as many fields as practicable
opportunities for structured on-the-job learning, such as
apprenticeships and internships, combined with classroom
instruction.
(f) Collaborative efforts with supporting agencies that
enhance academic learning.
(g) Long-range cost containment measures, including additional
services that might be provided at reduced costs by the
intermediate school district or through cooperative programs, and
cost reduction programs such as interdistrict cooperation in
special education and other programs and services.
(h) To the extent that it would improve school effectiveness,
specific recommendations on consolidation or enhanced interdistrict
cooperation, or both, along with possible sources of revenue.
(i) Evaluation of the plan.
(6) (4)
The state board shall annually review a random
sampling of school improvement plans. Based on its review, the
state board shall annually submit a report on school improvement
activities planned and accomplished by each of the school districts
and intermediate school districts that were part of the sampling to
the senate and house committees that have the responsibility for
education legislation.