Charter School Choice
Does the state have charter schools?
Are for-profit charter schools or management companies allowed?
Michigan charter schools must organize as non-profits.
The board of directors of a public school academy may enter into a management agreement with an educational management organization to carry out the operations of the public school academy.
An educational management organization is defined as "an entity that enters into a management agreement with a public school academy." An entity is defined as "a partnership, nonprofit or business corporation, or any other association, corporation, trust, or other legal entity."
House Resolution Joint B (2019) would "prohibit public schools from being operated on a for-profit basis or by a for-profit entity."
MCL 380.502(1)
MCL 380.503c Management agreement with educational management organization; definitions.
Is there a cap on the number of charter schools?
We did not find information about caps on charter schools in Michigan statutes. Education Commission of the States states that Michigan does not have caps on charters. Additionally, a policy expert stated that there is no cap on the number of charter schools in Michigan.
Are charters required to provide transportation for any students?
"In general, a charter school is considered a local school district and is responsible for following the same legislative guidelines for transporting students as a local traditional school district, except that charter schools are not considered districts under RSC 380.1321, as they have no resident students. Therefore, a charter school may charge for transportation, contract with a 3rd party vendor who charges for this service or opts out of providing transportation."
Can charter schools employ uncertified teachers?
A public school academy shall use certificated teachers according to state board rule. However, a public school academy authorized by a state public university or community college may use uncertified individuals to teach.
Virtual School Choice
Do state statutes allow for full-time virtual schools?
Are virtual schools required to track attendance?
"The cyber school shall track a pupil's participation through attendance in the educational program offered by the cyber school for the proportionate number of instructional hours from the date of enrollment of the pupil."
Do virtual schools have to comply with state teacher certification requirements?
"A requirement that a teacher who holds appropriate certification according to state board rule or who is engaged to teach under section 1233b will be responsible for all of the following for each course in which a pupil is enrolled:
(i) Improving learning by planned instruction.
(ii) Diagnosing the pupil's learning needs.
(iii) Assessing learning, assigning grades, and determining advancement.
(iv) Reporting outcomes to administrators and parents or legal guardians."
MCL 380.553a (2a) Cyber school.
MCL 380.1233b Teaching of certain courses by noncertificated, nonendorsed teacher; requirements; effect of ability to engage certificated, endorsed teacher; waiving student teaching.
Private School Choice
Does the state have voucher programs?
Does the state have educational expense tuition tax credits or deductions?
Can students use vouchers to attend religious schools?
Is there a cap on the number of students or private schools participating in voucher programs?
Are voucher students in private schools required to take any standardized tests?
Can private schools be removed from voucher programs based on performance?
Are private schools in voucher programs required to provide transportation?
Interdistrict School Choice
Does the state have interdistrict choice programs?
"Except as otherwise provided in this section, a district shall determine whether or not it will accept applications for enrollment by nonresident applicants residing within the same intermediate district for the next school year."
MCL 388.1705 (2): Counting nonresident pupils in membership; application for enrollment; procedures.
Are receiving schools or districts required to provide transportation to any students?
"This section does not require a district to provide transportation for a nonresident pupil enrolled in the district under this section or for a resident pupil enrolled in another district under this section. However, at the time a nonresident pupil enrolls in the district, a district shall provide to the pupil's parent or legal guardian information on available transportation to and from the school in which the pupil enrolls."
MCL 388.1705 (17) Counting nonresident pupils in membership; application for enrollment; procedures.