 AUGUST 27 • 2020 | 19

Michigan State 
Legislature Approves 
Plan for Schools

Plan allows for fl
 exibility, local control.

O

n Aug. 15, the Michigan 
state Senate approved a 
bipartisan plan that pro-
vides flexibility for school dis-
tricts and for families as many 
students prepare for the upcom-
ing school year. The Michigan 
House of Representatives then 
approved the plan on Aug. 17. 
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed 
the bill.
The plan does not mandate 
in-person classes, leaving the 
decision to be made by the indi-
vidual school districts. However, 
schools that decide to engage in 
in-person learning must coordi-
nate with local health officials. 
There is no mention of a mask 
mandate in any of the bills.
Schools must reconfirm their 
plans on whether to use in-per-
son learning, virtual learning or 
a combination every 30 days. 
The legislation defines atten-
dance as students who are phys-
ically in class and those who 
participate virtually. It waives 
the requirement to have 180 
days or 1,098 hours of school 
this year. 
Districts are also tasked with 
establishing “education goals” 
for students by Sept. 15 and pro-
viding an “extended COVID-19 
learning plan” by Oct. 1. 
The requirements for the 
extended learning plan are 
to include “educational goals 
expected to be achieved for the 
2020-21 school year, a descrip-
tion of how instruction would 

be delivered for the 2020-21 
school year, and a requirement 
that a district ensure two two-
way interactions occur between 
a pupil and his or her teacher 
during each week for at least 
75% of pupils enrolled.
”
Benchmark assessments of 
students are required within 
nine weeks of the start of school, 
with a second assessment deliv-
ered by the end of the year, in 
order for districts to receive 
funding. 
Teachers are also required to 
check in with their students reg-
ularly or the state may withhold 
funding. 
Funding for public schools 
would be set at similar levels 
as last year under the plan. 
According to the bills, 75% of 
funding would be based on a 
district’
s student count for last 
school year, with the remaining 
25% based on the count this 
year.
An additional $583 million 
would be allocated to help 
schools and educators during 
the school year. The funding is 
intended to help districts pro-
vide online learning and ade-
quate student assessments. More 
than $50 million of that funding 
is intended to be used as hazard 
pay for teachers. 

Parents should log on to their school 

district’
s website to find out if students 

will start virtually or in person.

CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITER

MEL DRYMAN
Raised in Detroit, Experienced in Arizona
Your Professional 
& Dedicated 
ARIZONA REALTOR
Mobile: (480) 239-8686

mel.dryman@azmoves.com

Each Office Independently Owned & Operated

