School aid: other; weighted funding formula; provide for. Amends secs. 6, 22b & 41 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1606 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0903'26
Impact
The proposed legislation will have significant implications for how state funding is distributed among school districts. By implementing a weighted funding formula, the bill aims to allocate more resources to districts with higher populations of economically disadvantaged pupils, thus addressing equity in education financing. This is a move towards ensuring that all students, particularly those requiring additional support, receive appropriate educational resources. It is anticipated that the bill will help close the educational attainment gap between different socioeconomic groups within the state.
Summary
SB0904 seeks to amend the provisions related to school aid, specifically enhancing the weighted funding formula used to allocate state resources to school districts. The bill introduces adjustments aimed at ensuring that districts are adequately funded based on the needs of their student populations, with a particular emphasis on English language learners and economically disadvantaged students. It defines specific funding amounts based on student performance assessments and also ties funding to compliance with various educational standards and regulations.
Contention
However, the bill is not without controversy. Some stakeholders have raised concerns about the potential for disparities, particularly if the funding calculations do not accurately reflect the real financial needs of all districts. Additionally, the requirement for districts to comply with the state’s evidence-based curriculum standards has raised questions about local control and flexibility in educational practices. Critics argue that this might limit innovation in teaching methods and impose a one-size-fits-all approach to education that may not be suitable for every district.
Same As
School aid: other; requirements for districts to receive weighted funding; provide for. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1280h. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0860'26
School aid: other; requirements for districts to receive weighted funding; provide for. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1280h. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0860'26
Education: school choice; enrollment of nonresident pupils; modify. Amends secs. 3, 6, 20, 105, 105c & 111 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1603 et seq.) & adds sec. 105d. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5311'25, HB 5312'25
Appropriations: school aid omnibus; fiscal year 2026-2027 appropriations for K-12 school aid, higher education, and community colleges; provide for. Amends secs. 11, 201 & 236 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0903'26
School aid: membership; requirements concerning counting pupils in membership; modify for pupils enrolled in certain work-based learning experiences. Amends secs. 6 & 11 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1606 & 388.1611) & adds sec. 61e.
School aid: membership; requirements concerning counting pupils in membership; modify for pupils enrolled in certain work-based learning experiences. Amend secs. 6 & 11 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1606 & 388.1611) & adds sec. 61e.
Economic development: other; the state school aid act of 1979; amend to reflect elimination of the Michigan strategic fund. Amends secs. 26d & 65 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1626d & 388.1665). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0631'25
Appropriations: school aid omnibus; fiscal year 2026-2027 appropriations for K-12 school aid, higher education, and community colleges; provide for. Amends secs. 11, 201 & 236 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 et seq.).
Education: financing; funding for mobile panic alert system in schools; provide for. Amends sec. 11 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611) & adds sec. 97n. TIE BAR WITH: SB 76'25
Education: school choice; enrollment of nonresident pupils; modify. Amends secs. 3, 6, 20, 105, 105c & 111 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1603 et seq.) & adds sec. 105d. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5311'25, HB 5312'25
School aid: membership; requirements concerning counting pupils in membership; modify for pupils enrolled in certain work-based learning experiences. Amend secs. 6 & 11 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1606 & 388.1611) & adds sec. 61e.
School aid: membership; requirements concerning counting pupils in membership; modify for pupils enrolled in certain work-based learning experiences. Amends secs. 6 & 11 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1606 & 388.1611) & adds sec. 61e.
Appropriations: school aid omnibus; fiscal year 2026-2027 appropriations for K-12 school aid, higher education, and community colleges; provide for. Amends secs. 11, 201 & 236 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0903'26
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive study of the financial impacts of pooling all school district property tax revenue at the intermediate unit level and distributing that money to school districts based on their average daily membership.