2026 House Bill 5630

1. Amend page 45, line 26, by removing section 16 from the bill.

2. Amend page 46, line 5, by removing section 16a from the bill.

3. Amend page 116, line 11, by striking out all of subdivision (g).

4. Amend page 116, line 13, by striking out all of subdivision (h).

5. Amend page 118, line 8, by striking out all of subdivision (a) and relettering the remaining subdivisions.

6. Amend page 118, line 19, by striking out all of subdivision (d).

1. Amend page 30, following line 21, by inserting:

“(21) “Weighted pupil membership” means that term as calculated in this subsection. For the

purposes of calculations under this subsection, the base weighted pupil membership for a district is zero. All of the following apply to the weighted pupil membership under this subsection:

(a) For each full-time English language learner counted in membership in a district in the immediately preceding fiscal year, the weighted pupil membership for that district must be increased as follows:

(i) For a full-time equivalent English language learner who was assessed in the immediately preceding fiscal year under the WIDA ACCESS for English language learners or the WIDA Alternate ACCESS with a WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS composite score between 1.0 and 1.9, as applicable to each assessment, an increase of 0.1990. The increase under this subparagraph must be adjusted annually as follows until the increase equals 0.75:

(A) For 2027-2028, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.2384.

(B) For 2028-2029, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.2778.

(C) For 2029-2030, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.3171.

(D) For 2030-2031, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.3565.

(E) For 2031-2032, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.3959.

(F) For 2032-2033, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.4353.

(G) For 2033-2034, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.4746.

(H) For 2034-2035, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.5140.

(I) For 2035-2036, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.5534.

(J) For 2036-2037, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.5928.

(K) For 2037-2038, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.6321.

(L) For 2038-2039, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.6715.

(M) For 2039-2040, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.7109.

(N) Beginning in 2040-2041 and every fiscal year thereafter, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.75.

(ii) For a full-time equivalent English language learner who was assessed in the immediately preceding fiscal year under the WIDA ACCESS for English language learners or the WIDA Alternate ACCESS with a WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS composite score between 2.0 and 2.9, as applicable to each assessment, an increase of 0.1374. The increase under this subparagraph must be adjusted annually as follows until the increase equals 0.50:

(A) For 2027-2028, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.1636.

(B) For 2028-2029, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.1899.

(C) For 2029-2030, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.2161.

(D) For 2030-2031, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.2424.

(E) For 2031-2032, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.2686.

(F) For 2032-2033, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.2949.

(G) For 2033-2034, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.3211.

(H) For 2034-2035, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.3474.

(I) For 2035-2036, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.3736.

(J) For 2036-2037, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.3999.

(K) For 2037-2038, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.4261.

(L) For 2038-2039, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.4524.

(M) For 2039-2040, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.4786.

(N) Beginning in 2040-2041 and every fiscal year thereafter, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.50.

(iii) For a full-time equivalent English language learner who was assessed in the immediately preceding fiscal year under the WIDA ACCESS for English language learners or the WIDA Alternate ACCESS with a WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS composite score between 3.0 and 4.7, as applicable to each assessment, an increase of 0.0224. The increase under this subparagraph must be adjusted annually as follows until the increase equals 0.35:

(A) For 2027-2028, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.0464.

(B) For 2028-2029, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.0703.

(C) For 2029-2030, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.0943.

(D) For 2030-2031, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.1183.

(E) For 2031-2032, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.1423.

(F) For 2032-2033, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.1662.

(G) For 2033-2034, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.1902.

(H) For 2034-2035, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.2142.

(I) For 2035-2036, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.2382.

(J) For 2036-2037, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.2621.

(K) For 2037-2038, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.2861.

(L) For 2038-2039, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.3101.

(M) For 2039-2040, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.3341.

(N) Beginning in 2040-2041 and every fiscal year thereafter, the weighted pupil membership under this subparagraph must be increased to 0.35.

(b) For each economically disadvantaged pupil counted in membership in a district, the weighted pupil membership for that district must be increased as follows:

(i) For the purpose of this subparagraph, the department shall determine the number of pupils in membership who are economically disadvantaged as the greatest of the following:

(A) The number of membership pupils in the district who are determined to be economically disadvantaged, as reported to the center in the form and manner prescribed by the center not later than the fifth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day of the immediately preceding fiscal year.

(B) If the district is in the community eligibility program, the number of pupils determined to be eligible based on the product of the identified student percentage multiplied by the total number of pupils in the district, as reported to the center in the form and manner prescribed by the center not later than the fifth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day of the immediately preceding fiscal year. These calculations must be made at the building level. This sub-subparagraph applies only to an eligible district for the fiscal year immediately following the first fiscal year in which it is in the community eligibility program. As used in this sub-subparagraph, “identified student percentage” means the quotient of the number of pupils in an eligible district who are determined to be economically disadvantaged, as reported to the center in a form and manner prescribed by the center not later than the fifth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day in the fiscal year preceding the first fiscal year in which the eligible district is in the community eligibility program, divided by the total number of pupils counted in an eligible district on the pupil membership count day in the fiscal year preceding the first fiscal year in which the eligible district is in the community eligibility program.

(C) If the district began operations as a district after the pupil membership count day of the current fiscal year, the number of membership pupils in the district who are determined to be economically disadvantaged, as reported to the center in the form and manner prescribed by the center not later than the fifth Wednesday after the supplemental count day of the current fiscal year.

(D) If, for a particular fiscal year, the number of membership pupils in a district who are determined under sub-subparagraph (A) to be economically disadvantaged or to be eligible based on the identified student percentage varies by more than 20 percentage points from the number of those pupils in the district as calculated under sub-subparagraph (A) for the immediately preceding fiscal year caused by an egregious reporting error by the district, the department may choose to have the calculations under sub-subparagraph (A) instead be made using the number of membership pupils in the district who are determined to be economically disadvantaged, as reported to the center in the form and manner prescribed by the center not later than the fifth Wednesday after the supplemental count day of the immediately preceding fiscal year.

(ii) Each district or public school academy must be assigned an opportunity index score each fiscal year, the value of which is the quotient of the number of economically disadvantaged pupils as determined under this subdivision for the district or public school academy and the total number of pupils in the district or public school academy in the immediately preceding fiscal year, multiplied by 100 and rounded up to the nearest whole number. Each district or public school academy must be assigned an opportunity index band as follows:

(A) A district with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to zero but less than 20 must be assigned to band 1 and shall receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.1994 and not more than 0.2051 for each economically disadvantaged pupil. The additional weighted pupil membership under this sub-subparagraph must be an amount equal to the district’s opportunity index score minus 1, multiplied by the band adjustment factor applicable to this sub-subparagraph, plus 0.1994 multiplied by the number of pupils identified as economically disadvantaged under this sub-subparagraph. The additional weighted pupil membership under this sub-subparagraph must be increased as follows until it reaches between 0.35 and 0.36 per economically disadvantaged pupil:

(I) For 2027-2028, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2101 and not more than 0.2162 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(II) For 2028-2029, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2209 and not more than 0.2272 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(III) For 2029-2030, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2316 and not more than 0.2383 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IV) For 2030-2031, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2424 and not more than 0.2493 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(V) For 2031-2032, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2531 and not more than 0.2604 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VI) For 2032-2033, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2638 and not more than 0.2714 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VII) For 2033-2034, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2746 and not more than 0.2825 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VIII) For 2034-2035, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2853 and not more than 0.2935 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IX) For 2035-2036, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2961 and not more than 0.3046 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(X) For 2036-2037, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3068 and not more than 0.3156 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XI) For 2037-2038, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3176 and not more than 0.3267 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XII) For 2038-2039, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3283 and not more than 0.3377 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIII) For 2039-2040, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3391 and not more than 0.3488 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIV) For 2040-2041 and every fiscal year thereafter, a district assigned to band 1 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.35 and not more than 0.36 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(B) A district with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to 20 but less than 44 must be assigned to band 2 and shall receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2051 and not more than 0.2136 for each economically disadvantaged pupil. The additional weighted pupil membership under this sub-subparagraph must be an amount equal to the district’s opportunity index score minus 20, multiplied by the band adjustment factor applicable to this sub-subparagraph, plus 0.2051 multiplied by the number of pupils identified as economically disadvantaged under this sub-subparagraph. The additional weighted pupil membership under this sub-subparagraph must be increased as follows until it reaches between 0.36 and 0.375 per economically disadvantaged pupil:

(I) For 2027-2028, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2162 and not more than 0.2251 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(II) For 2028-2029, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2272 and not more than 0.2367 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(III) For 2029-2030, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2383 and not more than 0.2482 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IV) For 2030-2031, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2493 and not more than 0.2597 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(V) For 2031-2032, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2604 and not more than 0.2712 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VI) For 2032-2033, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2714 and not more than 0.2827 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VII) For 2033-2034, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2825 and not more than 0.2942 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VIII) For 2034-2035, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2935 and not more than 0.3057 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IX) For 2035-2036, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3046 and not more than 0.3172 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(X) For 2036-2037, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3156 and not more than 0.3288 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XI) For 2037-2038, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3267 and not more than 0.3403 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XII) For 2038-2039, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3377 and not more than 0.3518 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIII) For 2039-2040, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3488 and not more than 0.3633 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIV) For 2040-2041 and every fiscal year thereafter, a district assigned to band 2 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.36 and not more than 0.375 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(C) A district with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to 44 but less than 59 must be assigned to band 3 and shall receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2136 and not more than 0.2223 for each economically disadvantaged pupil. The additional weighted pupil membership under this sub-subparagraph must be an amount equal to the district’s opportunity index score minus 44, multiplied by the band adjustment factor applicable to this sub-subparagraph, plus 0.2136 multiplied by the number of pupils identified as economically disadvantaged under this sub-subparagraph. The additional weighted pupil membership under this sub-subparagraph must be increased as follows until it reaches between 0.375 and 0.39 per economically disadvantaged pupil:

(I) For 2027-2028, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2251 and not more than 0.2342 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(II) For 2028-2029, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2367 and not more than 0.2462 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(III) For 2029-2030, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2482 and not more than 0.2582 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IV) For 2030-2031, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2597 and not more than 0.2701 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(V) For 2031-2032, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2712 and not more than 0.2821 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VI) For 2032-2033, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2827 and not more than 0.2941 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VII) For 2033-2034, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2942 and not more than 0.3061 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VIII) For 2034-2035, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3057 and not more than 0.3180 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IX) For 2035-2036, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3172 and not more than 0.3300 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(X) For 2036-2037, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3288 and not more than 0.3420 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XI) For 2037-2038, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3403 and not more than 0.3540 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XII) For 2038-2039, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3518 and not more than 0.3659 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIII) For 2039-2040, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3633 and not more than 0.3779 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIV) For 2040-2041 and every fiscal year thereafter, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.375 and not more than 0.39 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(D) A district with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to 59 but less than 73 must be assigned to band 4 and shall receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2223 and not more than 0.2393 for each economically disadvantaged pupil. The additional weighted pupil membership under this sub-subparagraph must be an amount equal to the district’s opportunity index score minus 59, multiplied by the band adjustment factor applicable to this sub-subparagraph, plus 0.2223 multiplied by the number of pupils identified as economically disadvantaged under this sub-subparagraph. The additional weighted pupil membership under this sub-subparagraph must be increased as follows until it reaches between 0.39 and 0.42 per economically disadvantaged pupil:

(I) For 2027-2028, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2342 and not more than 0.2521 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(II) For 2028-2029, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2462 and not more than 0.2650 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(III) For 2029-2030, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2582 and not more than 0.2779 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IV) For 2030-2031, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2701 and not more than 0.2908 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(V) For 2031-2032, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2821 and not more than 0.3037 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VI) For 2032-2033, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2941 and not more than 0.3166 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VII) For 2033-2034, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3061 and not more than 0.3295 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VIII) For 2034-2035, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3180 and not more than 0.3424 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IX) For 2035-2036, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3300 and not more than 0.3553 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(X) For 2036-2037, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3420 and not more than 0.3682 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XI) For 2037-2038, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3540 and not more than 0.3811 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XII) For 2038-2039, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3659 and not more than 0.3940 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIII) For 2039-2040, a district assigned to band 4 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3779 and not more than 0.4069 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIV) For 2040-2041 and every fiscal year thereafter, a district assigned to band 3 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.39 and not more than 0.42 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(E) A district with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to 73 but less than 85 must be assigned to band 5 and shall receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2393 and not more than 0.2679 for each economically disadvantaged pupil. The additional weighted pupil membership under this sub-subparagraph must be an amount equal to the district’s opportunity index score minus 73, multiplied by the band adjustment factor applicable to this sub-subparagraph, plus 0.2393 multiplied by the number of pupils identified as economically disadvantaged under this sub-subparagraph. The additional weighted pupil membership under this sub-subparagraph must be increased as follows until it reaches between 0.42 and 0.47 per economically disadvantaged pupil:

(I) For 2027-2028, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2521 and not more than 0.2823 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(II) For 2028-2029, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2650 and not more than 0.2967 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(III) For 2029-2030, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2779 and not more than 0.3112 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IV) For 2030-2031, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.2908 and not more than 0.3256 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(V) For 2031-2032, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3037 and not more than 0.3400 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VI) For 2032-2033, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3166 and not more than 0.3544 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VII) For 2033-2034, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3295 and not more than 0.3689 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VIII) For 2034-2035, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3424 and not more than 0.3833 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IX) For 2035-2036, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3553 and not more than 0.3977 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(X) For 2036-2037, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3682 and not more than 0.4122 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XI) For 2037-2038, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3811 and not more than 0.4266 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XII) For 2038-2039, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.3940 and not more than 0.4410 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIII) For 2039-2040, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.4069 and not more than 0.4555 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIV) For 2040-2041 and every fiscal year thereafter, a district assigned to band 5 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of at least 0.42 and not more than 0.47 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(F) A district with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to 85 must be assigned to band 6 and shall receive an additional weighted pupil membership at a rate of 0.2679 for each economically disadvantaged pupil. It is intended that the additional weighted pupil membership under this sub-subparagraph will be increased as follows until it reaches 0.47 per economically disadvantaged pupil:

(I) For 2027-2028, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.2823 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(II) For 2028-2029, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.2967 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(III) For 2029-2030, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.3112 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IV) For 2030-2031, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.3256 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(V) For 2031-2032, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.3400 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VI) For 2032-2033, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.3544 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VII) For 2033-2034, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.3689 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(VIII) For 2034-2035, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.3833 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(IX) For 2035-2036, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.3977 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(X) For 2036-2037, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.4122 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XI) For 2037-2038, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.4266 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XII) For 2038-2039, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.4410 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIII) For 2039-2040, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.4555 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(XIV) For 2040-2041 and every fiscal year thereafter, a district assigned to band 6 must receive an additional weighted pupil membership of 0.47 for each economically disadvantaged pupil.

(G) As used in this subparagraph, “band adjustment factor” means an amount equal to the difference between the lowest and highest reimbursement bounds for each band, divided by the number of possible opportunity index scores in that band.

(c) To assist the legislature in determining necessary funding levels to support foundation allowance payments for weighted pupil membership calculated in this subsection, each revenue estimating conference conducted under section 367b of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1367b, must include estimated pupil counts necessary to determine a weighted pupil membership under this subsection for the current and subsequent 2 fiscal years.

(d) As used in this subsection:

(i) “Economically disadvantaged” means a pupil who has been determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals as determined under the Richard B. Russell national school lunch act, 42 USC 1751 to 1769j; who is in a household receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program or temporary assistance for needy families assistance; or who is homeless, migrant, or in foster care, as reported to the center.

(ii) “English language learner” means limited English proficient pupils who speak a language other than English as their primary language and have difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or

understanding English as reported to the center.”.

2. Amend page 78, following line 5, by inserting:

“(g) Comply with section 1280f of the revised school code, MCL 380.1280f. Beginning with the

fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, if a district is not using a curriculum from the department’s evidence-based curriculum list required under section 1280f of the revised school code, MCL 380.1280f, the district must provide a notification to all parents or legal guardians of students in grades K to 5 receiving instruction with that curriculum that includes all of the following:

(i) A statement informing parents or legal guardians that the curriculum used by the district is not evidence-based or not aligned to state standards, which could negatively impact student academic outcomes.

(ii) A statement explaining why the district is not using a curriculum that is evidence-based or aligned to state standards.

(iii) A plan, including a projected timeline, for when a new curriculum will be adopted that is evidence-based and aligned to state standards.

(4) In addition to the allocation under subsection (1), and subject to subsection (3) and section 296, from the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11 there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,696,087,600.00 to each district for a weighted foundation payment. As used in this subsection, “weighted foundation payment” is an amount equal to the target foundation allowance

multiplied by the weighted pupil membership for the district.” and renumbering the remaining

subsections and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

3. Amend page 81, following line 7, by inserting:

“(d) “Weighted pupil membership” means that term as defined in section 6.”.

4. Amend page 118, line 28, by removing section 31a from the bill and inserting:

“Sec. 31a. (1) There is allocated for 2025-2026 an amount not to exceed $1,336,805,000.00 from the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11 and an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.00 from the general fund money appropriated in section 11 for payments to eligible districts and eligible public school academies for the purposes of ensuring that pupils are proficient in English language arts by the end of grade 3, that pupils are proficient in mathematics by the end of grade 8, that pupils are attending school regularly, that high school graduates are career and college ready, and for the purposes under subsections (7), (8), and (23).

(2) For a district or public school academy to be eligible to receive funding under this section, other than funding under subsection (7), (8), or (23), the district or public school academy, for grades K to 12, must comply with the requirements under section 1280f of the revised school code, MCL 380.1280f, and must use resources to address early literacy and numeracy, and for at least grades K to 12 or, if the district or public school academy does not operate all of grades K to 12, for all of the grades it operates, must implement a multi-tiered system of supports that is an evidence-based framework that uses data driven problem solving to integrate academic and behavioral instruction and that uses intervention delivered to all pupils in varying intensities based on pupil needs. The multi-tiered system of supports described in this subsection must provide at least all of the following essential components:

(a) Team-based leadership.

(b) A tiered delivery system.

(c) Selection and implementation of instruction, interventions, and supports.

(d) A comprehensive screening and assessment system.

(e) Continuous data-based decision making.

(3) From the state school aid fund money allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2025-2026 an amount not to exceed $1,293,655,000.00 to continue a weighted foundation per pupil payment for districts and public school academies enrolling economically disadvantaged pupils. The department shall pay under this subsection to each eligible district or eligible public school academy an amount per pupil equal to a percentage calculated under subsection (4) multiplied by the target foundation allowance for the following, as applicable:

(a) Except as otherwise provided under subdivision (b), (c), or (d) the greater of the following:

(i) The number of membership pupils in the district or public school academy who are determined to be economically disadvantaged, as reported to the center in the form and manner prescribed by the center not later than the fifth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day of the immediately preceding fiscal year.

(ii) If the district or public school academy is in the community eligibility program, the number of pupils determined to be eligible based on the product of the identified student percentage multiplied by the total number of pupils in the district or public school academy, as reported to the center in the form and manner prescribed by the center not later than the fifth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day of the immediately preceding fiscal year. These calculations must be made at the building level. This subparagraph only applies to an eligible district or eligible public school academy for the fiscal year immediately following the first fiscal year in which it is in the community eligibility program. As used in this subparagraph, “identified student percentage” means the quotient of the number of pupils in an eligible district or eligible public school academy who are determined to be economically disadvantaged, as reported to the center in a form and manner prescribed by the center, not later than the fifth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day in the fiscal year preceding the first fiscal year in which the eligible district or eligible public school academy is in the community eligibility program, divided by the total number of pupils counted in an eligible district or eligible public school academy on the pupil membership count day in the fiscal year preceding the first fiscal year in which the eligible district or eligible public school academy is in the community eligibility program.

(b) If the district or public school academy began operations as a district or public school academy after the pupil membership count day of the immediately preceding school year, the number of membership pupils in the district or public school academy who are determined to be economically disadvantaged, as reported to the center in the form and manner prescribed by the center not later than the fifth Wednesday after the pupil membership count day of the current fiscal year.

(c) If the district or public school academy began operations as a district or public school academy after the pupil membership count day of the current fiscal year, the number of membership pupils in the district or public school academy who are determined to be economically disadvantaged, as reported to the center in the form and manner prescribed by the center not later than the fifth Wednesday after the supplemental count day of the current fiscal year.

(d) If, for a particular fiscal year, the number of membership pupils in a district or public school academy who are determined under subdivision (a) to be economically disadvantaged or to be eligible based on the identified student percentage varies by more than 20 percentage points from the number of those pupils in the district or public school academy as calculated under subdivision (a) for the immediately preceding fiscal year caused by an egregious reporting error by the district or public school academy, the department may choose to have the calculations under subdivision (a) instead be made using the number of membership pupils in the district or public school academy who are determined to be economically disadvantaged, as reported to the center in the form and manner prescribed by the center not later than the fifth Wednesday after the supplemental count day of the immediately preceding fiscal year.

(4) Each district or public school academy must be assigned an opportunity index score each fiscal year, the value of which is the quotient of the number of economically disadvantaged pupils as determined under subsection (3) for the district or public school academy and the total number of pupils in the district or public school academy in the immediately preceding fiscal year, multiplied by 100 and rounded up to the nearest whole number. Each district or public school academy must be assigned an opportunity index band as follows:

(a) A district or public school academy with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to 0 but less than 20 must be assigned to band 1 and shall receive reimbursement under subsection (3) at a rate of at least 35.0% and less than 36.0%. The reimbursement rate under this subdivision must be an amount equal to the district’s opportunity index score minus 1, multiplied by the band adjustment factor applicable to this subdivision, plus 35.0%.

(b) A district or public school academy with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to 20 but less than 44 must be assigned to band 2 and shall receive reimbursement under subsection (3) at a rate of at least 36.0% and less than 37.5%. The reimbursement rate under this subdivision must be an amount equal to the district’s opportunity index score minus 20, multiplied by the band adjustment factor applicable to this subdivision, plus 36.0%.

(c) A district or public school academy with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to 44 but less than 59 must be assigned to band 3 and shall receive reimbursement under subsection (3) at a rate of at least 37.5% and less than 39.0%. The reimbursement rate under this subdivision must be an amount equal to the district’s opportunity index score minus 44, multiplied by the band adjustment factor applicable to this subdivision, plus 37.5%.

(d) A district or public school academy with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to 59 but less than 73 must be assigned to band 4 and shall receive reimbursement under subsection (3) at a rate of at least 39.0% and less than 42.0%. The reimbursement rate under this subdivision must be an amount equal to the district’s opportunity index score minus 59, multiplied by the band adjustment factor applicable to this subdivision, plus 39.0%.

(e) A district or public school academy with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to 73 but less than 85 must be assigned to band 5 and shall receive reimbursement under subsection (3) at a rate of at least 42.0% and less than 47.0%. The reimbursement rate under this subdivision must be an amount equal to the district’s opportunity index score minus 73, multiplied by the band adjustment factor applicable to this subdivision, plus 42.0%.

(f) A district or public school academy with an opportunity index score greater than or equal to 85 must be assigned to band 6 and shall receive reimbursement under subsection (3) at a rate of 47.0%.

(g) As used in this subsection, “band adjustment factor” means an amount equal to the difference between the lowest and highest reimbursement bounds for each band, divided by the number of possible opportunity index scores in that band.

(5) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a district or public school academy receiving funding under this section shall use that money only to provide instructional programs and direct noninstructional services, including, but not limited to, medical, mental health, or counseling services, for at-risk pupils; for school health clinics; and for the purposes of subsection (6), (7), (8), or (23). In addition, a district that is a school district of the first class or a district or public school academy in which at least 50% of the pupils in membership were determined to be economically disadvantaged in the immediately preceding state fiscal year, as determined and reported as described in subsection (3), may use the funds it receives under this section for school security or school parent liaison personnel. The uses of the funds described in the immediately preceding sentence must align to the needs assessment and the multi-tiered system of supports model and, for funds spent on parent liaison personnel, must connect parents to the school community. A district or public school academy shall not use any of the money received under this section for administrative costs. The instruction or direct noninstructional services provided under this section may be conducted before or after regular school hours or by adding extra school days to the school year.

(6) A district or public school academy that receives funds under this section and that operates a school breakfast program under section 1272a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1272a, shall use from the funds received under this section an amount, not to exceed $10.00 per pupil for whom the district or public school academy receives funds under this section, necessary to pay for costs associated with the operation of the school breakfast program.

(7) From the state school aid fund money allocated under subsection (1), appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2025-2026 2026-2027 an amount not to exceed $33,000,000.00, to support primary health care services provided to children and adolescents up to age 21. These funds must be expended in a form and manner determined jointly by the department and the department of health and human services. When making funding decisions for new adolescent health centers under this subsection, the department and department of health and human services shall prioritize support for primary health care services in unserved and underserved counties as determined by the department of health and human services. An amount equal to 4% of the funds allocated under this subsection must be made available for technical support and coordination services from a nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to serving adolescent health centers in this state and that has a membership that includes federally qualified health centers, local public health departments, hospital systems, and public school districts. As a requirement of being awarded the funds under this subsection as prescribed under this subsection, a nonprofit organization described in this subsection shall make readily available technical support and coordination services to all child and adolescent health centers in this state.

(2) (8) From the state school aid fund money allocated under subsection (1), appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2025-2026 2026-2027 an amount not to exceed $10,150,000.00 for the state portion of the hearing and vision screenings as described in part 93 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.9301 to 333.9329, and, from the general state school aid fund fund money allocated under subsection (1), appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2025-2026 2026-2027 an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.00 for the state portion of the dental screenings as described in part 93 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.9301 to 333.9329. A local public health department shall pay at least 50% of the total cost of the screenings. The frequency of the vision screenings must be as required under R 325.13091 to R 325.13096 of the Michigan Administrative Code and the frequency of the hearing screenings must be as required under R 325.3271 to R 325.3276 of the Michigan Administrative Code. Funds must be awarded in a form and manner approved jointly by the department and the department of health and human services.

(3) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments to eligible entities under this subsection section on a schedule determined by the department.

(9) Each district or public school academy receiving funds under this section shall submit to the department by July 15 of each fiscal year a report, in the form and manner prescribed by the department, that includes a brief description of each program conducted or services performed by the district or public school academy using funds under this section, the amount of funds under this section allocated to each of those programs or services, the total number of at-risk pupils served by each of those programs or services, and the data necessary for the department and the department of health and human services to verify matching funds for the temporary assistance for needy families program. In prescribing the form and manner of the report, the department shall ensure that districts are allowed to expend funds received under this section on any activities that are permissible under this section. If a district or public school academy does not comply with this subsection, the department shall withhold an amount equal to the August payment due under this section until the district or public school academy complies with this subsection. If the district or public school academy does not comply with this subsection by the end of the fiscal year, the withheld funds are forfeited to the school aid fund.

(10) To receive funds under this section, a district or public school academy must allow access for the department or the department’s designee to audit all records related to the program for which it receives those funds. The district or public school academy shall reimburse the state for all disallowances found in the audit.

(11) Subject to subsections (6), (7), (8), and (23), for schools in which more than 40% of pupils are identified as at-risk, a district or public school academy may use the funds it receives under this section to implement tier 1, evidence-based practices in schoolwide reforms that are guided by the district’s comprehensive needs assessment and are included in the district improvement plan. Schoolwide reforms must include parent and community supports, activities, and services, that may include the pathways to potential program created by the department of health and human services or the communities in schools program. As used in this subsection, “tier 1, evidence-based practices” means research based instruction and classroom interventions that are available to all learners and effectively meet the needs of most pupils.

(12) A district or public school academy that receives funds under this section may use those funds to provide research based professional development and to implement a coaching model that supports the multi-tiered system of supports framework. Professional development may be provided to district and school leadership and teachers and must be aligned to professional learning standards; integrated into district, school building, and classroom practices; and solely related to the following:

(a) Implementing the multi-tiered system of supports required in subsection (2) with fidelity and utilizing the data from that system to inform curriculum and instruction.

(b) Implementing section 1280f of the revised school code, MCL 380.1280f, as required under subsection (2), with fidelity.

(13) A district or public school academy that receives funds under subsection (3) may use funds received under subsection (3) for support staff providing services to at-risk pupils.

(14) A district or public school academy may use up to 60% of the funds it receives under this section for the following purposes:

(a) Up to 30% to reduce the teacher to pupil ratio in grades K to 3.

(b) Up to 30% to support retention and recruitment efforts that help reduce staff turnover and vacancies of instructional and support staff if the district or public school academy is assigned to opportunity index band 4, 5, or 6.

(15) Funds used as described in subsection (14) must align with the needs assessment and the multi-tiered system of supports model. A district or public school academy shall not use any of the money described in subsection (14) for administrative costs or to supplant existing funding, including, but not limited to, maintaining existing salaries or costs. A district or public school academy shall report its intent to use funds described in subsection (14) to the department by not later than November 1 of the current fiscal year.

(16) A district or public school academy determined to be eligible to use a portion of funds received under subsection (3) for the purposes described in subsection (14) retains the ability to use funding for the purposes described in subsection (14) for the fiscal year in which eligibility was determined plus 2 additional fiscal years beyond that fiscal year.

(17) Beginning with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and each year thereafter, for a district receiving funding under this section through the opportunity index formula, the district must provide a report to parents or legal guardians that details the amount of funding received under that allocation, how the district distributed that funding in a way to target buildings with the highest needs, and what evidence-based interventions were implemented with those dollars. The report must include a method, including contact information, for parents or legal guardians to provide feedback on the use of these dollars as well as to seek more information about services and interventions available for their children.

(18) A district or public school academy that receives funds under this section may use up to 10% of the funds received under this section to provide evidence-based instruction for pre-kindergarten instructional and noninstructional services to at-risk pupils.

(19) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if necessary, the department shall prorate payments under this section, except payments under subsection (7), (8), or (23), by reducing the amount of the allocation as otherwise calculated under this section by an equal percentage per district. Subject to the availability of funds, if proration is necessary under this subsection, the department must ensure that no district receives an amount less than 11.5% of the target foundation for each economically disadvantaged pupil enrolled in the district.

(20) If a district is dissolved pursuant to section 12 of the revised school code, MCL 380.12, the intermediate district to which the dissolved district was constituent shall determine the estimated number of pupils that are economically disadvantaged and that are enrolled in each of the other districts within the intermediate district and provide that estimate to the department for the purposes of distributing funds under this section within 60 days after the district is declared dissolved.

(21) A district or public school academy that receives funds under this section may use funds received under this section to provide an anti-bullying or crisis intervention program.

(22) The department shall collaborate with the department of health and human services to prioritize assigning Pathways to Potential success coaches to elementary schools that have a high percentage of pupils in grades K to 3 who are not proficient in English language arts, based upon state assessments for pupils in those grades.

(23) From the state school aid fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated for 2023-2024 only an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00 for an electronic patient data and health care analytic system to be made available to each child and adolescent health center program. The department of health and human services shall collaborate on system implementation with a nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to serving child and adolescent health center programs in this state and that has a membership that includes federally qualified health centers, local public health departments, hospital systems, and public school districts, including, but not limited to, technology assessment, design, coordination, and system implementation with child and adolescent health center programs. Funds appropriated under this subsection are a work project appropriation and any unexpended funds for 2023-2024 are carried forward into 2024-2025. The purpose of the work project is to continue to implement an electronic patient data and health care analytic system. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2028.

(24) As used in this section:

(a) “At-risk pupil” means a pupil in grades pre-K to 12 for whom the district has documentation that the pupil meets any of the following criteria:

(i) The pupil is economically disadvantaged.

(ii) The pupil is an English language learner.

(iii) The pupil is chronically absent as defined by and reported to the center.

(iv) The pupil is a victim of child abuse or neglect.

(v) The pupil is a pregnant teenager or teenage parent.

(vi) The pupil has a family history of school failure, incarceration, or substance abuse.

(vii) The pupil is an immigrant who has immigrated within the immediately preceding 3 years.

(viii) The pupil did not complete high school in 4 years and is still continuing in school as identified in the Michigan cohort graduation and dropout report.

(ix) For pupils for whom the results of the state summative assessment have been received, is a pupil who did not achieve proficiency on the English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies content area assessment.

(x) Is a pupil who is at risk of not meeting the district’s or public school academy’s core academic curricular objectives in English language arts or mathematics, as demonstrated on local assessments.

(b) “Economically disadvantaged” means a pupil who has been determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals as determined under the Richard B. Russell national school lunch act, 42 USC 1751 to 1769j; who is in a household receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program or temporary assistance for needy families assistance; or who is homeless, migrant, or in foster care, as reported to the center.

(c) “English language learner” means limited English proficient pupils who speak a language other than English as their primary language and have difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding English as reported to the center.” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

5. Amend page 250, line 18, by removing section 41 from the bill and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

1. Amend page 34, following line 28, by inserting:

“Sec. 11s. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated $5,000,000.00 for 2025-2026 2026-2027 only and from the general fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated $3,000,000.00 for 2025-2026 2026-2027 only for the purpose of providing services and programs to children who reside within the boundaries of a district with the majority of its territory located within the boundaries of a city for which an executive proclamation of emergency concerning drinking water is issued in the current or immediately preceding 10 fiscal years under the emergency management act, 1976 PA 390, MCL 30.401 to 30.421, and that has at least 4,500 pupils in membership for the 2016-2017 fiscal year or has at least 2,600 pupils in membership for a fiscal year after 2016-2017.

(2) From the general fund money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated to a district with the majority of its territory located within the boundaries of a city for which an executive proclamation of emergency concerning drinking water is issued in the current or immediately preceding 10 fiscal years under the emergency management act, 1976 PA 390, MCL 30.401 to 30.421, and that has at least 4,500 pupils in membership for the 2016-2017 fiscal year or has at least 2,600 pupils in membership for a fiscal year after 2016-2017, an amount not to exceed $2,425,000.00 for 2025-2026 2026-2027 for the purpose of employing school nurses, classroom aides, school social workers, and community health workers; for the provision of behavioral or mental health supports, parental engagement activities, community coordination activities, and other support services; and for purchasing program supplies. The district shall provide a report to the department in a form, manner, and frequency prescribed by the department. The department shall provide a copy of that report to the governor, the house and senate school aid subcommittees, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget director within 5 days after receipt. The report must provide at least the following information:

(a) How many personnel were hired using the funds allocated under this subsection.

(b) A description of the services provided to pupils by those personnel.

(c) How many pupils received each type of service identified in subdivision (b).

(d) Any other information the department considers necessary to ensure that the children described in subsection (1) received appropriate levels and types of services.

(3) For 2025-2026 2026-2027 only, from the general fund money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $575,000.00 for nutritional services to children described in subsection (1).

(4) For 2025-2026 2026-2027 only, from the state school aid fund money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $5,000,000.00 to an intermediate district that has a constituent district described in subsection (2) for interventions and supports for students in grades K to 12 who were impacted by an executive proclamation of emergency described in subsection (1) concerning drinking water. Funds under this subsection must be used for behavioral supports, social workers, counselors, psychologists, and nursing services, including, but not limited to, vision and hearing services, transportation services, parental engagement, community coordination, and other support services.

(5) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

1. Amend page 217, line 5, by removing section 35m from the bill and inserting:

“Sec. 35m. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2025-2026 only 2026-2027 an amount not to exceed $64,400,000.00 $150,000,000.00 for the purposes described in this section, including payments to improve educational outcomes in literacy.

(2) The department shall continue the committee for literacy achievement that includes representatives of higher education and early childhood literacy educators who have expertise in literacy instruction and research. The committee shall exist until at least September 2029. The department shall appoint the members of the committee for literacy achievement. The department shall develop a process to identify and assemble experts for the committee. The primary focus of the committee is to recommend tools and strategies with the goal of increasing student academic outcomes in the area of literacy. The committee is encouraged to collaborate with the Michigan Education Research Institute or other entities with similar expertise on the subject of literacy. The department shall determine the size and benchmarks of the committee. The committee shall do all of the following:

(a) Critically evaluate early literacy series and materials. The committee shall evaluate with research-based outcomes, using the committee’s expertise in the field of literacy. The committee shall assign grade tiers to the series based on the series’ likelihood to increase student literacy outcomes. Priority must be given to series that already have a demonstrated history of increasing student outcomes. The committee may perform an evaluation under this subdivision based on submissions from a vendor, but must independently verify the validity of information provided by the vendor. The committee is also strongly encouraged to evaluate available materials not submitted to the department by a vendor.

(b) Critically evaluate literacy professional development. The committee shall evaluate with research-based outcomes, using the committee’s expertise in the field of literacy. The committee shall assign grade tiers to the professional development based on the professional development’s likelihood to increase student literacy outcomes. Priority must be given to professional development that already has a demonstrated history of increasing student outcomes. The committee may perform an evaluation under this subdivision based on submissions from a vendor, but must independently verify the validity of information provided by the vendor. The committee is also strongly encouraged to evaluate available materials not submitted to the department by a vendor.

(c) Critically evaluate other applicable literacy tools or services the committee determines to have a high likelihood or demonstrated history of increasing student literacy outcomes. The committee may perform an evaluation under this subdivision based on submissions from a vendor, but must independently verify the validity of information provided by the vendor. The committee is also strongly encouraged to evaluate available materials not submitted to the department by a vendor.

(d) Create, maintain, and post annually on a publicly available website a rankings list of all early literacy series and other items the committee has evaluated. This includes items from each part of the rankings list, items evaluated in the 2024-2025 school year, and any subsequent items evaluated going forward. The committee shall denote on the list whether major changes have been made to an early literacy series or other item on the list since the early literacy series or other item was evaluated by the committee and if the early literacy series or other item has not been evaluated since the last ranking. The rankings list created in this subdivision must align with the list of evidence-based tier 1, classwide elementary reading curricula and materials that are aligned with science of reading methods that research has shown to improve literacy outcomes and help pupils achieve reading proficiency as required under section 1280f of the revised school code, MCL 380.1280f.

(3) An individual on the committee shall recuse themselves from evaluating early literacy series and other items that the individual has helped create, that the individual would benefit from financially, or for which the individual has any other conflict of interest.

(4) From the funds allocated in subsection (1), the department shall make payments to districts and intermediate districts in an amount determined by the department. The department shall not make payments under this subsection until it has critically evaluated as many early literacy series and other items from subsection (2) as possible. Payments under this subsection must be made during the current fiscal year to support district implementation in 2026-2027. 2027-2028. The department shall use the rankings list described in subsection (2) as the basis for how funding is allocated in subsection (1) to districts and intermediate districts. Districts and intermediate districts using higher-ranked literacy tools that are proven to increase student outcomes shall receive more funding than districts and intermediate districts utilizing lower-ranked literacy tools in both the base award and the per-pupil awards described in this subsection. The department may determine that some districts and intermediate districts will not receive funding under this section based on the effectiveness of the early literacy series or other items being utilized by the district or intermediate district. The department shall award funding under this section using the following methodology:

(a) A base award equal to the amount necessary for the district or intermediate district to implement the chosen early literacy series or other item. The department may place a cap on the total award per district, intermediate district, or early literacy series or other item and may choose not to award funding if the early literacy series or other item is determined to be ineffective or is determined to be less effective than other choices.

(b) A tiered per-pupil award based on the number of pupils in membership at the district and intermediate district. The tiered per-pupil award must provide a higher per-pupil payment to districts and intermediate districts using higher-ranked early literacy series or other items as determined under subsection (2). The department may choose not to award funding if the early literacy series or other item is determined to be ineffective or is determined to be less effective than other choices.

(5) From the funding allocated in subsection (1), the department may pay an annual stipend of up to $8,000.00 for each member of the committee for literacy achievement who is employed by or at a public institution of higher education, a district, or an intermediate district. A stipend must be commensurate with the committee member’s contribution to the committee. Funding must be paid to the public institution of higher education, the district, or the intermediate district where the committee member is employed, and the public institution of higher education, the district, or the intermediate district must then use funding received to award the stipend directly to the individual committee member. A committee member who is not employed by or at a public institution of higher education, a district, or an intermediate district is not eligible to receive a stipend under this subsection.

(6) To be eligible for funding under this section, a district or intermediate district must apply in a form and manner determined by the department. As a condition of receiving the funding, the district or intermediate district must agree to provide to the department information twice a year, on or before May 1 and October 1, on the early literacy series and other items used for the previous and current school years, and the early literacy series and other items to be used for the next school year. The early literacy series and other items used by districts and intermediate districts must be added to the annual rankings required under subsection (2).

(7) Except as otherwise provided in this section and notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.

(8) Funds allocated under subsection (1) for 2025-2026 2026-2027 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2025-2026 2026-2027 are carried forward into 2026-2027. 2027-2028. The purpose of the work project is to improve literacy instructional practices. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2029.

(9) In addition to the allocation under subsection (1), from the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $4,000,000.00 for 2025-2026 only to an intermediate district in which the combined total number of pupils in membership of all of its constituent districts is the fewest among all intermediate districts in this state. All of the following apply to the funding under this subsection:

(a) Funding under this subsection must be used by the intermediate district, in partnership with an association that represents intermediate district administrators in this state, to implement all of the following:

(i) Literacy essentials teacher and principal training modules.

(ii) Face-to-face and online professional learning on literacy essentials teacher and principal training modules for literacy coaches, principals, and teachers.

(iii) The placement of regional lead literacy coaches to facilitate professional learning for early literacy coaches. Regional lead literacy coaches described in this subparagraph shall provide support for new literacy coaches, building teachers, and administrators, and shall facilitate regional data collection to evaluate the effectiveness of statewide literacy coaches funded under this section.

(iv) A provision of $500,000.00 under this subsection for literacy training, modeling, coaching, and feedback for district principals or chief administrators, as applicable. The training described in this subparagraph must use the pre-K and K to 3 essential instructional practices in literacy created by the general education leadership network as the framework for all training provided under this subparagraph.

(b) By not later than September 1 of each year, the intermediate district described in this subsection, in consultation with grant recipients, shall submit a report to the chairs of the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on school aid, the chairs of the senate and house standing committees responsible for education legislation, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget director. The report described in this subdivision must include student achievement results in English language arts and survey results with feedback from parents and teachers regarding the initiatives implemented under this subsection.

(c) Up to 2% of funds allocated under this subsection may be used by the association representing intermediate district administrators that is in partnership with the intermediate district specified in this subsection to administer this subsection.

(10) In addition to the allocation under subsection (1), from the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,600,000.00 for 2025-2026 to expand the implementation of the literacy and social, emotional, and behavioral components of a multi-tiered system of supports, including positive behavioral interventions and supports, using the Michigan Multi-Tiered System of Supports Technical Assistance Center. Both of the following apply to funds allocated under this subsection:

(a) The department shall use funds allocated under this subsection, through an intermediate district, for the purpose of expanding the statewide expertise, technical assistance, and implementation of the multi-tiered system of supports, dyslexia expertise, and evidence-based instructional practices grounded in the science of reading using the Michigan Multi-Tiered System of Supports Technical Assistance Center, a nationally recognized program. In addition, the department shall identify an intermediate district to act as a fiscal agent for these funds.

(b) Up to 2% of funds allocated under this subsection may be used by the intermediate district serving as the fiscal agent for these funds to administer this subsection.” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

2. Amend page 303, line 5, by removing section 95b from the bill and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

1. Amend page 231, line 2, by removing section 35q from the bill and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

1. Amend page 313, following line 3, by inserting:

“Sec. 98d. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated under section 11, there is

allocated for 2026-2027 only an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.00 to Northern Michigan University to support the MLC as described in this section. Northern Michigan University shall not retain any portion of the funding received under this section for administrative purposes and shall provide funding to support the MLC. All of the following apply to the MLC:

(a) The MLC must expand literacy programming aligned with this state’s pre-K to 12 educational standards over the air, online, and in communities.

(b) The MLC shall provide over-the-air broadcasts 24 hours each day for 7 days each week of quality instructional content that is aligned with this state’s pre-K to 12 educational standards. Over-the-air broadcasts as described in this subdivision must be streamed live and must be archived for on-demand viewing on a companion website, along with additional learning materials relevant to lessons.

(c) The MLC must be managed and operated by DPTV, and DPTV shall assume all risk, liability, and responsibility for the MLC in accordance with regulations by the United States Federal Communications Commission, PBS broadcast standards, and standard nonprofit business standards. DPTV shall serve as the fiduciary agent and service manager for the MLC. The MLC shall originate from a central operations center that is responsible for providing the infrastructure, content, and engagement of the MLC in partnership with this state’s educational leadership organizations.

(d) The MLC shall require that DPTV provide technology, funding, staff training, and central management of the MLC to station partners to insert additional channels into each station’s broadcast streams and to support staffing and engagement as outlined in a memorandum of understanding among the stations.

(e) The MLC shall require that DPTV partner with at least 5 other Michigan public television stations, including, but not limited to, WKAR, WGVU, WDCQ, WCMU, and WNMU, to deliver the over-the-air MLC broadcasts described in this section and to support engagement with local educators. Stations described in this subdivision must be able to use the infrastructure provided by the MLC to develop their own local content that best serves their communities.

(2) By not later than February 1, 2028, the MLC shall provide a report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees responsible for school aid, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget director detailing the MLC’s compliance with ensuring that conditions listed under subsection (1) were met.

(3) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section by not later than December 1, 2026.

(4) As used in this section:

(a) “DPTV” means Detroit Public Television.

(b) “MLC” means the Michigan Learning Channel.” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

1. Amend page 125, line 19, after “exceed” by striking out “$33,000,000.00,” and inserting “$54,300,000.00,” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

2. Amend page 143, line 13, by striking out “$106,545,000.00” and inserting “$92,245,000.00” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

3. Amend page 143, line 19, after “subsection” by striking out “(6)” and inserting “(5)”.

4. Amend page 144, line 17, after “subsection” by striking out “(6).” and inserting “(5).”.

5. Amend page 145, line 1, by striking out all of subsection (5) and renumbering the remaining subsections.

6. Amend page 147, line 11, after “subsection” by striking out “(9),” and inserting “(8),”.

1. Amend page 104, following line 14, by inserting:

“Sec. 27b. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2025-2026 2026-2027 only an amount not to exceed $70,000,000.00 $60,000,000.00 to districts, intermediate districts, and consortia of intermediate districts for grow your own programs and educator development programs as described in this section. and subject to subsection (5).

(2) The department shall establish a competitive grant process to distribute funds under this section. A district, intermediate district, or consortium of intermediate districts must apply for funds in a form and manner prescribed by the department. As part of the application described in this subsection, a district, intermediate district, or consortium of intermediate districts must submit the following information and assurances:

(a) Demonstrated need for funding in the district, intermediate district, or consortium of intermediate districts or the broader community, including projected workforce needs, and a proposed spending plan on how the funds will be utilized that includes, but is not limited to, expected tuition, fees, and books for the program.

(b) Number of support staff projected to participate in a program described in this section.

(c) The planned activities for programs described in this section.

(d) Projected outcomes of programs described in this section, which must include, but are not limited to, the following:

(i) Teacher and school leader retention and satisfaction.

(ii) Teacher and school leader efficacy.

(iii) Anticipated school or district partners, evidenced by signed partnership agreements.

(iv) Demonstration of addressing projected workforce needs.

(e) Assurances that the programs described in this section will be no cost for participants and that participants will be compensated as an employee for the duration of their training, including a paid residency, fellowship, or student teaching.

(f) Assurances that any educator preparation program partnering with the district, intermediate district, or consortium of intermediate districts to support a grow your own program under this section is approved by the department for the preparation of teachers in this state.

(3) Recipients of grants under this section must submit performance reports to the department not less than twice per year. Each report must include the following information:

(a) (i) The number of program participants served and retention in the program or district.

(b) (ii) Qualitative and quantitative participant feedback.

(c) (iii) Evidence of efficacy and progress toward projected outcomes.

(4) The department shall ensure that all performance reports required under subsection (3) are made publicly available on the department’s website.

(5) Grant awards under this section must be structured into 3 tiers, as described in subsections (6), (8), and (11). (7), and (8), or for the purposes described in subsection (9). The department shall award grants

in a quantity and magnitude such that the allocation in subsection (1) is distributed over 3 fiscal years,

beginning in 2026-2027. All programs funded under this section must address a measurable and critical

problem related to the health and efficacy of this state’s education talent working in Michigan schools and be

data- and research-driven, demonstrating effectiveness against intended and measurable outcomes.

(6) Funding for tier 1 grant awards must not exceed $50,000,000.00, unless otherwise directed by the legislature. The department shall allocate at least 1 tier 1 grant of not less than $40,000,000.00. Tier 1 grants must sustain or further scale grow your own programs or educator development programs that meet all of the following criteria:

(a) Have been in operation in this state for at least 5 years, and evaluated for at least 2 years by a rigorous, independent Michigan-based evaluator, and results of the program have been made publicly available.

(b) Have at least 2 consecutive years of public financial audits of the program with no material findings.

(c) Demonstrate broad geographic reach and investment into teachers and school leaders at every experience level, in partnerships established with not fewer than 15 local education agencies across both urban and rural regions, that extend back to the start of the 2023-2024 school year, bound by written agreements that include data sharing with an independent evaluator for evaluation purposes.

(d) Generate private matching funds.

(7) Notwithstanding section 18a, funds allocated for programs described in subsection (6) may be available for expenditure until September 30, 2029. A recipient of funding for a program described in subsection (6) must return any unexpended funds to the department in a manner prescribed by the department by not later than October 30, 2029.

(7) (8) Tier 2 grants must scale or sustain grow your own programs or educator development programs that meet all of the following criteria:

(a) Have been in operation for at least 3 years.

(b) Demonstrate promising internal results , but are not yet supported by an independent evaluation.through internal data or independent evaluation. Programs with independent evaluation

partnerships and publicly available evidence of effectiveness may be prioritized.

(c) Serve a geographically diverse population, including both urban and rural areas.

(d) Have a demonstrated track record of receiving private philanthropic or corporate funding.

(9) Grant awards for programs described in subsection (8) must not exceed $12,500,000.00 per year.

(10) Notwithstanding section 18a, funds allocated for programs described in subsection (8) may be available for expenditure until September 30, 2027. A recipient of funding for a program described in subsection (8) must return any unexpended funds to the department in a manner prescribed by the department by not later than October 30, 2027.

(8) (11) Tier 3 grants must fund pilot-stage or early-stage grow your own programs or educator development programs that meet all of the following criteria:

(a) Have been in operation for fewer than 2 years.

(a) (b) Do not yet have independent evaluation data available.

(b) (c) Are limited in scope or geography.

(c) (d) Include a documented path to scale or expand the program to serve more educators or additional districts.

(12) Grant awards for programs described in subsection (11) must not exceed $5,000,000.00 per year.

(9) From the amount allocated in subsection (1), an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.00 may be awarded by the department for school librarian specialist certification grants. These grants may be awarded to eligible grow your own programs, educator development programs, or other programs that provide a pathway for certified teachers to receive a school librarian specialist (NQ) endorsement from the department. In awarding grants under this subsection, the department shall prioritize awards for applicants serving in schools that have libraries but do not have staff with an NQ endorsement.

(10) (13) Notwithstanding section 18a, funds allocated for programs described in subsection (11) this section may be available for expenditure until September 30, 2027. for up to 3 fiscal years after the fiscal year in which funds were made available to the program. A recipient of funding for a program described in subsection (11) this section must return any unexpended funds to the department in a manner and time frame prescribed by the department. by not later than October 30, 2027.

(11) (14) An individual may not concurrently receive funding for programs under this section and programs funded under sections 27a and 27c.

(12) (15) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section by not later than December 15, 2025.on a schedule determined by the department.

(13) The funds allocated under this section for 2026-2027 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2026-2027 are carried forward into 2027-2028. The purpose of the work project is to continue funding supports for grow your own educator programs. The estimated completion date

of the work project is September 30, 2031.” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1

accordingly.

1. Amend page 317, following line 14, by inserting:

“Sec. 99s. (1) From state school aid fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated

for 2026-2027 an amount not to exceed $8,000,000.00 for Michigan science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (MiSTEM) programs. The MiSTEM network may receive funds from private sources. If the MiSTEM network receives funds from private sources, the MiSTEM network shall expend those funds in alignment with the statewide STEM strategy. Programs funded under this section are intended to increase the number of pupils demonstrating proficiency in science and mathematics on the state assessments, to increase the number of pupils who are college- and career-ready upon high school graduation, and to promote certificate and degree attainment in STEM fields. Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.

(2) The MiSTEM council annually shall review and make recommendations to the governor, the legislature, and the department concerning changes to the statewide strategy adopted by the council for delivering STEM-education-related opportunities to pupils. The MiSTEM council shall use funds received under this section to ensure that its members or their designees are trained in a third-party evaluation system, such as the Change the Equation STEMworks program, for the purpose of rating STEM programs.

(3) The MiSTEM council shall make specific funding recommendations for the funds allocated under subsection (4) by December 15 of each fiscal year. Each specific funding recommendation must be for a program or demonstration grant approved by the MiSTEM council. All of the following apply:

(a) To be eligible for MiSTEM council approval as described in this subsection, a program must satisfy all of the following:

(i) Align with this state’s academic standards.

(ii) Have STEMworks or other third-party certification.

(iii) Provide project-based experiential learning, student programming, or professional learning experiences.

(iv) Focus predominantly on classroom-based STEM experiences or professional learning experiences.

(b) The MiSTEM council shall approve programs that represent all network regions and include a diverse array of options for students and educators.

(c) To be eligible for MiSTEM council approval as described in this subsection, a demonstration grant must satisfy all of the following:

(i) Align with this state’s academic standards.

(ii) In collaboration with the department, scale-project-, problem-, or place-based learning in a building or district in support of the statewide STEM strategy as recommended by the MiSTEM council.

(d) The MiSTEM council is encouraged to work with the MiSTEM network to develop locally and regionally developed programs, demonstration grants, and professional learning experiences for the programs on the list of approved programs. At the direction of the MiSTEM council, funds can be used to evaluate and market regions, programs, and demonstration grants.

(e) If the MiSTEM council is unable to make specific funding recommendations by December 15 of a fiscal year, the department shall award and distribute the funds allocated under subsection (4) on a competitive grant basis that at least follows the statewide STEM strategy plan and rating system recommended by the MiSTEM council. Each grant must provide STEM-education-related opportunities for pupils.

(4) From the state school aid fund money allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2026-2027 an amount not to exceed $3,800,000.00 for the purpose of funding programs or demonstration grants under this section for 2026-2027 as recommended by the MiSTEM council.

(5) From the state school aid fund money allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $4,200,000.00 for 2026-2027 to support the activities and programs of the MiSTEM network regions. From the money allocated under this subsection, the department shall award the fiscal agent for each MiSTEM network region $220,000.00 for the base operations of each region. The department shall distribute the remaining funds to each fiscal agent in an equal amount per pupil, based on the number of K to 12 pupils enrolled in districts within each region in the immediately preceding fiscal year.

(6) A MiSTEM network region shall do all of the following:

(a) Collaborate with the career and educational advisory council that is located in the MiSTEM region and the department to develop a regional strategic plan for STEM education that creates a robust regional STEM culture, that empowers STEM teachers, that integrates business and education into the STEM network, and that ensures high-quality STEM experiences for pupils. At a minimum, a regional STEM strategic plan should do all of the following in collaboration with the department:

(i) Identify regional employer need for STEM.

(ii) Identify processes for regional employers and educators to create guided pathways for STEM careers that include internships or externships, apprenticeships, and other experiential engagements for pupils.

(iii) Identify educator professional learning opportunities, including internships or externships and apprenticeships, that integrate this state’s science standards into high-quality STEM experiences that engage pupils.

(b) Facilitate regional STEM events, such as educator and employer networking and STEM career fairs, to raise STEM awareness.

(c) Contribute to the MiSTEM website and engage in other MiSTEM network functions to further the mission of STEM in this state in coordination with the MiSTEM council and the department of labor and economic opportunity.

(d) Facilitate application and implementation of state and federal funds under this subsection and any other grants or funds for the MiSTEM network region.

(e) Work with districts to provide STEM programming and professional learning.

(f) Coordinate recurring discussions and work with the career and educational advisory council to ensure that feedback and best practices are being shared, including funding, programming, professional learning opportunities, and regional strategic plans.

(g) In collaboration with the department, deploy marketing and outreach efforts to publish the availability of STEM learning opportunities.

(7) To receive funds under this section, a grant recipient must allow access for the department or the department’s designee to audit all records related to the program for which it receives those funds. The grant recipient shall reimburse the state for all disallowances found in the audit.

(8) To receive funds under this section, a grant recipient must provide at least a 10% local match from local public or private resources for the funds received under this section.

(9) By not later than July 1 of each fiscal year for which funding is allocated under this section, grant recipients shall report to the executive director of the MiSTEM network in a form and manner prescribed by the executive director on performance measures developed by the MiSTEM network regions and approved by the executive director. The performance measures must be designed to ensure that the activities of the MiSTEM network are improving student academic outcomes. The report described in this subsection must be published on a publicly accessible website.

(10) Not more than 5% of funds awarded under this section may be retained by a fiscal agent.

(11) As used in this section:

(a) “Career and educational advisory council” means an advisory council to the local workforce development boards located in a prosperity region consisting of educational, employer, labor, and parent representatives.

(b) “Department” means the department of labor and economic opportunity.

(c) “MiSTEM Council” means the Michigan Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Advisory Council created as an advisory body within the department of labor and economic opportunity by Executive Reorganization Order No. 2019-3, MCL 125.1998.

(d) “STEM” means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics delivered in an integrated fashion using cross-disciplinary learning experiences that can include language arts, performing and

fine arts, and career and technical education.” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1

accordingly.

1. Amend page 160, line 12, by removing section 32d from the bill and inserting:

“Sec. 32d. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated to eligible intermediate districts and consortia of intermediate districts for great start readiness programs and other purposes described in this section an amount not to exceed $609,720,000.00 for 2024-2025 and $638,217,600.00 for 2025-2026. From the general fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated $600,000.00 for 2024-2025 and $350,000.00 for 2025-2026, $801,667,600.00 for 2026-2027, and from the great start readiness reserve fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated $18,000,000.00 for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 2026-2027 for the purposes of this section. For 2024-2025, an intermediate district or consortium shall use funds allocated under this section for great start readiness programs to provide part-day programs, school-day programs, GSRP extended programs, GSRP/Head Start school-day blended programs, or GSRP/Head Start extended blended programs that are comprehensive, free, compensatory classroom programs designed to improve the readiness and subsequent achievement of children who meet the participant eligibility and prioritization guidelines as defined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential. For 2025-2026, an An intermediate district or consortium shall use funds allocated under this section for eligible great start readiness program options. For a child to be eligible to participate in a program under this section, the child must be at least 4, but less than 5, years of age as of September 1 of the school year in which the program is offered and must meet those eligibility and prioritization guidelines. After eligible children who will be 4 years of age as of September 1 are enrolled, a child who is not 4 years of age as of September 1, but who will be 4 years of age by not later than December 1, is eligible to participate if both of the following are met:

(a) The child’s parent or legal guardian seeks a waiver from the September 1 eligibility date by submitting a request for enrollment in a program to the responsible intermediate district.

(b) The child meets eligibility and prioritization guidelines.

(2) From the state school aid fund money allocated under subsection (1), an amount not to exceed $597,720,000.00 for 2024-2025 and $626,217,600.00 $764,667,600.00 for 2025-2026 2026-2027 is allocated to intermediate districts or consortia of intermediate districts based on the formula in section 39. An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving funding under this section shall act as the fiduciary for the great start readiness programs. An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving funding under this section may collaborate with local governments to identify children eligible for programs funded under this section and may contract with local governments to provide services. To be eligible to receive funds allocated under this subsection from an intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts, a district, a consortium of districts, a local government, or a public or private for-profit or nonprofit legal entity or agency must comply with this section and section 39. For 2024-2025, if, due to the number of GSRP extended program or GSRP/Head Start extended blended program slots awarded, the amount allocated in this subsection is insufficient to award at least the same number of part-day program and school-day program slots as awarded in the immediately preceding fiscal year, there is appropriated from the great start readiness program reserve fund the amount necessary to fully award the same number of part-day program and full-day program slots as awarded in the immediately preceding fiscal year. For 2025-2026, if If the amount allocated in this subsection is insufficient to fully fund allocations calculated under section 39, there is appropriated from the great start readiness program reserve fund the amount necessary and available to fully fund those allocations.

(3) From the general state school aid fund money allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $600,000.00 for 2024-2025 and an amount not to exceed $350,000.00 for 2025-2026 for (2), the department shall award a competitive grant to a state public university to continue a longitudinal evaluation of children who have participated in great start readiness programs.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5), to be eligible for funding under this section, a program must prepare children for success in school through comprehensive part-day programs, school-day programs, GSRP extended programs, GSRP/Head Start school-day blended programs, GSRP/Head Start extended blended programs, or other eligible great start readiness program options that contain all of the following program components, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential:

(a) Participation in a collaborative recruitment and enrollment process to ensure that each child is enrolled in the program most appropriate to the child’s needs and to maximize the use of federal, state, and local funds. For 2025-2026, as part of this requirement, programs Programs receiving funding under this section must provide current enrollment data, including slots open for enrollment and slots filled, to the intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts from which funding is received for that program. The enrollment process must ensure that children in families with lower income and children with other risk factors, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, are enrolled before children with lesser needs.

(b) An age-appropriate educational curriculum that is in compliance with the early childhood standards of quality for birth to kindergarten children adopted by the state board, including, at least, the Connect4Learning curriculum.

(c) Nutritional services for all program participants supported by federal, state, and local resources as applicable.

(d) Physical and dental health and developmental screening services for all program participants.

(e) Referral services for families of program participants to community social service agencies, including mental health services, as appropriate.

(f) Active and continuous involvement of the parents or guardians of the program participants.

(g) A plan to conduct and report annual great start readiness program evaluations and continuous improvement plans using criteria approved by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(h) Participation in a school readiness advisory committee convened as a workgroup of the great start collaborative that provides for the involvement of classroom teachers, parents or guardians of program participants, and community, volunteer, and social service agencies and organizations, as appropriate. The advisory committee shall annually review and make recommendations regarding the program components listed in this subsection. The advisory committee also shall make recommendations to the great start collaborative regarding other community services designed to improve all children’s school readiness.

(i) The ongoing articulation of the kindergarten and first grade programs offered by the program provider.

(j) Participation in this state’s great start to quality process with a level of at least enhancing quality level.

(5) To help expand access to great start readiness programs, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential may waive the requirements under subsections (4) and (8)(c) subsection (4) and a program may be eligible for funding under this section for new or expanding programs if the program demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential that the program meets all of the following:

(a) Is a licensed group or child care center or is a licensed program.

(b) Provides the minimum instructional time as required by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(c) Participates in this state’s quality improvement system at a level determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(d) Implements a professional educator preparation plan, as defined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, for educators not meeting teacher credentialing standards described in subsection (8). or (9).

(e) Uses a developmentally appropriate curriculum, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(f) Conducts a developmental screening and referral process, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(g) Commits to participating in program financial review and monitoring, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(h) Provides a plan to implement an approved great start readiness program curriculum and meet additional great start readiness program standards, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(6) A waiver under subsection (5) may be granted for up to 3 years for requirements related to program credentialing and may be granted for up to 2 years for all other requirements, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(7) The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall provide a report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on school aid, the state budget director, and the house and senate fiscal agencies that summarizes the number and types of exemptions granted under subsection (5) and progress made by programs granted waivers under subsection (5) by September 30 of each fiscal year. It is the intent of the legislature to review the waiver allowability under subsection (5) before the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027.

(8) For applications submitted before September 30, 2025, an application for funding under this section must provide for the following, in a form and manner determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential:

(a) Ensure either of the following:

(i) That the applicant complies with all program components described in subsection (4).

(ii) That the applicant meets the requirements of a waiver under subsection (5).

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, ensure that children participating in an eligible great start readiness program for whom the intermediate district is receiving funds under this section are children who live with families with a household income that is equal to or less than 400% of the federal poverty guidelines. If the intermediate district determines that all eligible children are being served and that there are no children on the waiting list who live with families with a household income that is equal to or less than 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, the intermediate district may then enroll children who live with families with a household income that is greater than 400% of the federal poverty guidelines. The enrollment process must consider income and risk factors, such that children determined with higher need are enrolled before children with lesser need. For purposes of this subdivision, all age-eligible children served in foster care or who are experiencing homelessness or who have individualized education programs recommending placement in an inclusive preschool setting are considered to live with families with household income equal to or less than 400% of the federal poverty guidelines regardless of actual family income and are prioritized for enrollment within the lowest quintile. The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall publish the household income thresholds under this subdivision in a clear manner on its website and the great start to quality website.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (5), ensure that the applicant only uses qualified personnel for this program, as follows:

(i) Teachers possessing proper training. A lead teacher must have a valid Michigan teaching certificate with an early childhood or lower elementary endorsement or a bachelor’s or higher degree in child development or early childhood education with specialization in preschool teaching. However, except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, if an applicant demonstrates to the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential that it is unable to fully comply with this subparagraph after making reasonable efforts to comply, teachers or paraprofessionals with at least 5 years of experience as a paraprofessional in a great start readiness program, Head Start, or licensed child care center classroom who have significant but incomplete training in early childhood education or child development may be used if the applicant provides to the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, and the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential approves, a plan for each teacher to come into compliance with the standards in this subparagraph. Individuals may qualify with at least 3 years of experience and significant training in early childhood education or child development, based on the recommendation of the intermediate district after a classroom observation. A teacher’s compliance plan must be completed within 3 years of the date of employment. Progress toward completion of the compliance plan consists of at least 2 courses per calendar year.

(ii) Paraprofessionals possessing proper training in early childhood education, including an associate degree in early childhood education or child development or the equivalent, or a child development associate (CDA) credential. However, if an applicant demonstrates to the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential that it is unable to fully comply with this subparagraph after making reasonable efforts to comply, the applicant may use paraprofessionals who have completed at least 1 course that earns college credit in early childhood education or child development or enroll in a child development associate credential with at least 6 months of verified experience in early education and care, if the applicant provides to the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, and the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential approves, a plan for each paraprofessional to come into compliance with the standards in this subparagraph. A paraprofessional’s compliance plan must be completed within 3 years of the date of employment. Progress toward completion of the compliance plan consists of at least 2 courses, 60 clock hours, or an equivalent of training per calendar year.

(d) Include a program budget that contains only those costs that are not reimbursed or reimbursable by federal funding, that are clearly and directly attributable to the great start readiness program, and that would not be incurred if the program were not being offered. Eligible costs include transportation costs. The program budget must indicate the extent to which these funds will supplement other federal, state, local, or private funds. An applicant shall not use funds received under this section to supplant any federal funds received by the applicant to serve children eligible for a federally funded preschool program that has the capacity to serve those children.

(8) (9) Beginning in 2025-2026, applications Applications for funding under this section must be submitted to the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential in a form and manner determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential. The application must demonstrate, at a minimum, compliance with program requirements described in subsection (4) or (5) and must ensure that recipients will only utilize qualified personnel, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, for eligible great start readiness program options.

(10) For a grant recipient that enrolls pupils in a school-day program or GSRP extended program funded under this section, each child enrolled in the school-day program or GSRP extended program is counted as described in section 39 for purposes of determining the amount of the grant award. This subsection does not apply after September 30, 2025.

(9) (11) For a grant recipient that enrolls pupils in an eligible great start readiness program option that blends GSRP and Head Start programming, the grant recipient shall ensure that all Head Start and GSRP policies and regulations are applied to the blended slots, with adherence to the highest standard from either program, to the extent allowable under federal law. A grant recipient may request a waiver from the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential to align GSRP policies and regulations with Head Start national standards for quality, including ratios, and the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential may approve the waiver. Not later than March 1 of each year, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential will report to the legislature and post on a publicly available website a list by intermediate district or consortium with the number and type of each waiver requested and approved.

(10) (12) To help expand access to great start readiness programs, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential may allow great start readiness programs to implement Head Start national performance standards for quality as an alternative to great start readiness program policies and regulations if the great start readiness program demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential that the great start readiness program is meeting the requirements of the Head Start national performance standards.

(11) (13) Beginning in 2025-2026, an An intermediate district or consortia of intermediate districts receiving funding under this section must publish, on an easily accessible website, a data dashboard containing the number of allocations requested from the state, a list of programs offering great start readiness programs in their boundaries, and current enrollment data for each subrecipient, including total slots open for enrollment, slots filled, and waitlist information, if applicable. A link to this website must be provided to families on waitlists for any great start readiness program in their boundaries.

(12) (14) An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving a grant under this section shall designate an early childhood coordinator, and may provide services directly or may contract with 1 or more districts or public or private for-profit or nonprofit providers that meet all requirements of subsection (4) , or (8), or (9), as applicable.

(13) (15) An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts may retain for administrative services provided by the intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts an amount not to exceed 4% of the grant amount. Expenses incurred by subrecipients engaged by the intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts for directly running portions of the program are considered program costs or a contracted program fee for service. Subrecipients operating early childhood programs may include indirect costs, not to exceed the federal de minimis.

(14) (16) An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts may expend not more than 2% of the total grant amount for outreach, recruiting, and public awareness of the program, if the intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts also participates in related statewide marketing and outreach efforts.

(17) Each grant recipient shall enroll children identified under subsection (8)(b) according to how far the child’s household income is below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines by ranking each applicant child’s household income from lowest to highest and dividing the applicant children into quintiles based on how far the child’s household income is below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, and then enrolling children in the quintile with the lowest household income before enrolling children in the quintile with the next lowest household income until slots are completely filled. If the grant recipient determines that all eligible children are being served and that there are no children on the waiting list who live with families with a household income that is equal to or less than 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, the grant recipient may then enroll children who live with families with a household income that is greater than 400% of the federal poverty guidelines. The enrollment process must consider income and risk factors, such that children determined with higher need are enrolled before children with lesser need. For purposes of this subsection, all age-eligible children served in foster care or who are experiencing homelessness or who have individualized education programs recommending placement in an inclusive preschool setting are considered to live with families with household income equal to or less than 400% of the federal poverty guidelines regardless of actual family income and are prioritized for enrollment within the lowest quintile. This subsection does not apply after September 30, 2025.

(15) (18) An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving a grant under this section shall allow parents of eligible children who are residents of the intermediate district or within the consortium to choose a program operated by or contracted with another intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts and shall enter into a written agreement regarding payment, in a manner prescribed by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(16) (19) An intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving a grant under this section shall conduct a local process to contract with interested and eligible public and private for-profit and nonprofit community-based providers that meet all requirements of subsection (4) for at least 30% of its total allocation. For 2024-2025, for the purposes of this 30% allocation, an intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts may count children served by a Head Start grantee or delegate in a GSRP/Head Start school-day blended program, GSRP/Head Start extended blended program, GSRP extended program, and great start readiness school-day program. Children served in a program funded only through Head Start are not counted toward this 30% allocation. Beginning in 2025-2026, the The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall provide guidance to intermediate districts and consortia of intermediate districts on counting children served by Head Start programming for the purposes of this 30% allocation. For 2024-2025, an intermediate district or consortium shall report to the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, in a manner prescribed by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, a detailed list of community-based providers by provider type, including private for-profit, private nonprofit, community college or university, Head Start grantee or delegate, and district or intermediate district, and the number and proportion of its total allocation allocated to each provider as subrecipient. Beginning in 2025-2026, an An intermediate district or consortium shall report to the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, in a manner prescribed by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, information necessary for the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential to determine the intermediate district’s or consortium of intermediate districts’ compliance with this subsection. If the intermediate district or consortium is not able to contract for at least 30% of its total allocation, the intermediate district or consortium shall notify the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential and, if the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential verifies that the intermediate district or consortium attempted to contract for at least 30% of its total allocation and was not able to do so, the intermediate district or consortium may retain and use all of its allocation as provided under this section. To be able to use this exemption, the intermediate district or consortium shall demonstrate to the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential that the intermediate district or consortium increased the percentage of its total allocation for which it contracts with a community-based provider and the intermediate district or consortium shall submit evidence satisfactory to the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, and the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential must be able to verify this evidence, demonstrating that the intermediate district or consortium took measures to contract for at least 30% of its total allocation as required under this subsection, including, but not limited to, at least all of the following measures:

(a) The intermediate district or consortium notified each nonparticipating licensed child care center located in the service area of the intermediate district or consortium regarding the center’s eligibility to participate, in a manner prescribed by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(b) The intermediate district or consortium provided to each nonparticipating licensed child care center located in the service area of the intermediate district or consortium information regarding great start readiness program requirements and a description of the application and selection process for community-based providers.

(c) The intermediate district or consortium provided to the public and to participating families a list of community-based great start readiness program subrecipients with a great start to quality level of at least enhancing quality level.

(17) (20) If an intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts receiving a grant under this section fails to submit satisfactory evidence to demonstrate its effort to contract for at least 30% of its total allocation, as required under subsection (19), (16), the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential may reduce the allocation to the intermediate district or consortium by a percentage equal to the difference between the percentage of an intermediate district’s or consortium’s total allocation awarded to community-based providers and 30% of its total allocation.

(18) (21) To assist intermediate districts and consortia in complying with the requirement to contract with community-based providers, for at least 30% of their total allocation, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall do all of the following:

(a) Ensure that a great start resource center or the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential provides each intermediate district or consortium receiving a grant under this section with the contact information for each licensed child care center located in the service area of the intermediate district or consortium by March 1 of each year.

(b) Provide, or ensure that an organization with which the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential contracts provides, a community-based provider with a validated great start to quality rating within 90 days of the provider’s having submitted a request and self-assessment. This subdivision does not apply after September 30, 2025.

(b) (c) Ensure that all intermediate district, district, community college or university, Head Start grantee or delegate, private for-profit, and private nonprofit providers are subject to a single great start to quality continuous quality improvement system. The continuous quality improvement system must ensure that regulators process all prospective providers at the same pace on a first-come, first-served basis and must not allow 1 type of provider to receive a great start to quality level ahead of any other type of provider.

(c) (d) By not later than March 1 of each year, compile the results of the information reported by each intermediate district or consortium under subsection (19) (16) and report to the legislature and post on a publicly available website a list by intermediate district or consortium with the number and percentage of each intermediate district’s or consortium’s total allocation allocated to community-based providers by provider type, including private for-profit, private nonprofit, community college or university, Head Start grantee or delegate, and district or intermediate district.

(d) (e) Allow intermediate districts and consortia and eligible community-based providers to utilize materials and supplies purchased for great start readiness programs within their facilities for other early care and education activities, in the following order of priority:

(i) Early care and education activities under a federal award.

(ii) Early care and education activities under other state awards.

(iii) Early care and education activities under local or regional awards.

(19) (22) A recipient of funds under this section shall report to the center in a form and manner prescribed by the center the information necessary to derive the number of children participating in the program, the number of eligible children not participating in the program and on a waitlist, and the total number of children participating in the program by various demographic groups and eligibility factors necessary to analyze equitable and priority access to services for the purposes of subsection (3).

(20) (23) As used in this section:

(a) “Child care center” means that term as defined in section 1 of 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111.

(b) “Eligible great start readiness program options” means a program option that operates on a school-day, part-day, or extended schedule length, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential. The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential must maintain and publish on its website requirements for each eligible schedule length, including the minimum day length, the minimum number of days per week, and the minimum number of weeks per year. These programs may be blended with Head Start programs, if allowable by federal rules and regulations.

(c) “Federal poverty guidelines” means the guidelines published annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under its authority to revise the poverty line under 42 USC 9902.

(d) “GSRP extended program” means a program that operates for at least the same length of day as a district’s first grade program for a minimum of 5 days per week, 36 weeks per year.

(e) “GSRP/Head Start extended blended program” means a program funded under this section and a Head Start program that are combined for an extended program.

(f) “GSRP/Head Start school-day blended program” means a part-day program funded under this section and a Head Start program, which are combined for a school-day program.

(g) “Licensed child care center” means a child care center that has been issued a license under 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 to 722.128, to operate a child care center.

(h) “Part-day program” means a program that operates at least 4 days per week, 30 weeks per year, for at least 3 hours of teacher-child contact time per day but for fewer hours of teacher-child contact time per day than a school-day program.

(i) “School-day program” means a program that operates for at least the same length of day as a district’s first grade program for a minimum of 4 days per week, 30 weeks per year. A classroom that offers a school-day program must enroll all children for the school day to be considered a school-day program.

(21) (24) From the state school aid fund money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 2026-2027 an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00 and, from the great start readiness program reserve fund money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 2026-2027 an amount not to exceed $18,000,000.00 for reimbursement of transportation costs for children attending great start readiness programs funded under this section. To receive reimbursement under this subsection, by not later than November 1 of each year, a program funded under this section that provides transportation shall submit to the intermediate district that is the fiscal agent for the program a projected transportation budget. The amount of the reimbursement for transportation under this subsection is no more than the projected transportation budget or $500.00 multiplied by the number of children funded for the program under this section. If the amount allocated under this subsection is insufficient to fully reimburse the transportation costs for all programs that provide transportation and submit the required information, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall prorate the reimbursement in an equal amount per child funded. The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall make payments to the intermediate district that is the fiscal agent for each program, and the intermediate district shall then reimburse the program provider for transportation costs as prescribed under this subsection.

(22) (25) For 2024-2025, subject to, and from the funds allocated under, subsection (24), the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall reimburse a program for transportation costs related to parent- or guardian-accompanied transportation provided by transportation service companies, buses, or other public transportation services. Beginning in 2025-2026, subject Subject to, and from the funds allocated under, subsection (24), (21), the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall allow programs to utilize those funds for costs related to parent- or guardian-provided transportation and for costs related to parent- or guardian-accompanied transportation provided by transportation service companies, buses, or other public transportation services. For payments related to parent- or guardian-provided transportation, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall develop parameters to ensure dollars are utilized in a way that improves access to eligible great start readiness program options for low-income and geographically isolated families. To be eligible for reimbursement under this subsection in 2024-2025, and to utilize funding under this subsection, in 2025-2026, a program must submit to the intermediate district or consortia of intermediate districts all of the following:

(a) The names of families provided with transportation support along with a documented reason for the need for transportation support and the type of transportation provided.

(b) Financial documentation of actual transportation costs incurred by the program, including, but not limited to, receipts and mileage reports, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(c) Any other documentation or information determined necessary by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(23) (26) The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall implement a process to review and approve age-appropriate comprehensive classroom level quality assessments for GSRP grantees that support the early childhood standards of quality for birth to kindergarten children adopted by the state board. The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall make available to intermediate districts at least 2 classroom level quality assessments that have been approved by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(24) (27) An intermediate district that is a GSRP grantee may approve the use of a supplemental curriculum that aligns with and enhances the age-appropriate educational curriculum in the classroom. If the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential objects to the use of a supplemental curriculum approved by an intermediate district, the director of the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall establish a review committee independent of the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential. The review committee shall meet within 60 days of the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential registering its objection in writing and provide a final determination on the validity of the objection within 60 days of the review committee’s first meeting.

(25) (28) The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall implement a process to evaluate and approve age-appropriate educational curricula that are in compliance with the early childhood standards of quality for birth to kindergarten children adopted by the state board.

(26) (29) From the state school aid fund money allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 an amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00 for payments to intermediate districts or consortia of intermediate districts for professional development and training materials for educators in programs implementing new curricula or child assessment tools approved for use in the great start readiness program. Curricula and child assessment tools purchased with funds received under this subsection

must be in compliance with early childhood standards of quality for birth to kindergarten children.

(27) (30) A great start readiness program, a GSRP extended program, a GSRP/Head Start school-day blended program, a GSRP/Head Start extended blended program, or other eligible great start readiness programs funded under this section are permitted to utilize AmeriCorps Pre-K Reading Corps members in classrooms implementing research-based early literacy intervention strategies.

(28) (31) In addition to the allocation From the state school aid fund money allocated under subsection (1), from the state school aid fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $25,000,000.00 for 2024-2025 and an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00 for 2025-2026 2026-2027 only for classroom start up grants to intermediate districts and consortia of intermediate districts for new or expanding great start readiness classrooms. All of the following apply to funding allocated under this subsection:

(a) To receive funding under this subsection, intermediate districts and consortia of intermediate districts must apply for the funding in a form and manner prescribed by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(b) The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall pay an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 for each new or expanded classroom. If funding is insufficient to fully fund all eligible applicants, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential must prorate the per-classroom amount on an equal basis. If the allocation is not fully paid in the current fiscal year, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential may award any remaining funding from fiscal year 2024-2025 during fiscal year 2025-2026, and may award any remaining funding from fiscal year 2025-2026 during fiscal year 2026-2027 for each new or expanded classroom at an equal amount per classroom, based on remaining available funds, not to exceed $50,000.00 per classroom.

(c) Funds received under this subsection by intermediate districts and consortia of intermediate districts must be paid in full to the entity operating the classroom and may be used for 1 or more of the following purposes:

(i) Costs associated with attracting, recruiting, retaining, and licensing required classroom education personnel to staff new or expanded classrooms.

(ii) Supporting facility improvements or purchasing facility space or modular classroom units necessary to provide a safe, high-quality learning environment for children in each new or expanded classroom, and for costs to become a licensed facility such as architectural drawings, permits, and other prelicensure inspection fees.

(iii) Outreach material necessary for public awareness that the great start readiness program has openings in the area and for costs associated with enrolling eligible children in new or expanded classrooms.

(iv) Supporting costs in each new or expanded classroom associated with improving a provider’s great start to quality level.

(d) Recipients of funds under this subsection must demonstrate that instructional staff have completed, or are in the process of completing, professional learning in the science of reading. Grant funds may be used to support this professional learning and are intended to ensure new classrooms are well equipped to implement evidence-based early literacy strategies.

(e) The funds allocated under this subsection for 2024-2025 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2024-2025 do not lapse to the state school aid fund and are carried forward into 2025-2026. The purpose of the work project is to continue support for new or expanded great start readiness classrooms. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2026.

(f) The funds allocated under this subsection for 2025-2026 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2025-2026 do not lapse to the state school aid fund and are carried forward into 2026-2027. The purpose of the work project is to continue support for new or expanded great start readiness classrooms. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2027.

(e) (g) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall make payments under this subsection on a schedule determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.

(32) In addition to the funds allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated from the general fund money appropriated under section 11 for 2024-2025 only an amount not to exceed $1,950,000.00 for an intermediate district or a consortium of intermediate districts to partner with the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential and community-based organizations to continue implementing statewide outreach and enrollment campaign activities to raise awareness about the availability of services through the great start readiness program, and to promote enrollment.

(33) The funds allocated under subsection (32) for 2024-2025 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2024-2025 are carried forward into 2025-2026. The purpose of the work project is to raise awareness of and participation in great start readiness programming. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2027.

(34) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall make payments under subsection (32) on a schedule determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

2. Amend page 242, line 14, by removing section 39 from the bill and inserting:

“Sec. 39. (1) An eligible applicant receiving funds under section 32d shall submit an application, in a form and manner prescribed by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, by a date specified by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential in the immediately preceding fiscal year. An eligible applicant is not required to amend the applicant’s current accounting cycle or adopt this state’s fiscal year accounting cycle in accounting for financial transactions under this section. The application must include all of the following:

(a) The estimated total number of age-eligible children in the community, as provided to the applicant by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential utilizing the most recent population data available from the American Community Survey conducted by the United States Census Bureau. The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall ensure that it provides updated American Community Survey population data at least once every 3 years.

(b) The estimated number of age-eligible children in the community who are being served exclusively by Head Start programs operating in the community.

(c) The number of children whom the applicant will have the capacity to serve in each eligible great start readiness program option who meet the age-eligible criteria of section 32d.

(2) The great start readiness target foundation amount for 2025-2026 2026-2027 is $10,650.00.$11,290.00.

(3) After notification of funding allocations, an applicant receiving funds under section 32d shall also submit an implementation plan for approval, in a form and manner prescribed by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, by a date specified by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential, that details how the applicant complies with the program components established by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential under section 32d.

(4) Subject to subsection (5), the initial allocation to each eligible applicant under section 32d is equal to the sum of the following:

(a) The number of children in the current school year served in a program determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential to be a school-day program multiplied by the great start readiness target foundation.

(b) The number of children in the current school year served in a program determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential to be a part-day program or a school-day blended with Head Start multiplied by the great start readiness target foundation divided by 2.

(c) The total number of children in the current school year served in a program determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential to be an extended program multiplied by the great start readiness target foundation multiplied by 1.2.

(d) The number of children in the current school year served in a program determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential to be an extended program blended with Head Start or a part-day extended program multiplied by the great start readiness target foundation multiplied by 0.6.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), if the calculations under subsection (4) result in a total allocation exceeding the amount available as allocated or appropriated under section 32d(2), initial allocations to each eligible applicant under section 32d are calculated as the sum of the following:

(a) An amount equal to the calculations described in subsection (4) but using for those calculations the lesser of the number of children served in the immediately preceding fiscal year or the number of children the applicant has the capacity to serve in the current fiscal year instead of the number of children served in the current fiscal year.

(b) An amount equal to the remaining available dollars after calculations in subdivision (a) distributed proportionately to eligible applicants where calculations under subdivision (a) are less than the amount originally calculated under subsection (4).

(6) If the calculations under subsection (5) result in a total allocation exceeding the amount available as allocated or appropriated under section 32d(2), the initial allocation to each eligible applicant is the amount calculated under subsection (4) prorated on an equal percentage basis.

(7) If, taking into account the total amount to be allocated to the applicant as calculated under this section, an applicant determines that it is able to include additional eligible children in the great start readiness program without additional funds under section 32d, the applicant may include additional eligible children but does not receive additional funding under section 32d for those children.

(8) The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall review the program components under section 32d and under this section at least biennially. The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential also shall convene a committee of internal and external stakeholders at least once every 5 years to ensure that the funding structure under this section reflects current system needs under section 32d.” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

1. Amend page 411, line 7, by striking out all of subdivision (f) and inserting:

“(f) The appropriation for Michigan State University is $406,794,800.00, $321,516,900.00 for

operations, $10,044,800.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, $2,413,500.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver, $39,096,200.00 for

MSU AgBioResearch, and $33,723,400.00 for MSU Extension.” and adjusting the totals, subtotals, and

enacting section 1 accordingly.

2. Amend page 412, line 10, by striking out all of subdivision (k) and inserting:

“(k) The appropriation for University of Michigan – Ann Arbor is $373,591,100.00,

$360,607,300.00 for operations, $11,237,700.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $1,746,100.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian

tuition waiver.” and adjusting the totals, subtotals, and enacting section 1 accordingly.

3. Amend page 413, line 13, after “is” by striking out “$1,364,844,600.00” and inserting “$1,807,439,900.00” and adjusting the totals, subtotals, and enacting section 1 accordingly.

4. Amend page 413, line 17, by striking out “$721,676,300.00” and inserting “$1,164,271,600.00” and adjusting the totals, subtotals, and enacting section 1 accordingly.

1. Amend page 413, following line 25, by inserting:

“(6) The amount appropriated for the Martin Luther King, Jr. - Cesar Chavez Dolores Huerta - Rosa Parks program is $2,691,500.00, appropriated from general fund/general purpose money and allocated as follows:

(a) Select student support services, $1,956,100.00.

(b) Michigan college/university partnership program, $586,800.00.

(c) Morris Hood, Jr. educator development program, $148,600.00.” and renumbering the remaining subsections and adjusting the totals, subtotals, and enacting section 1 accordingly.

2. Amend page 414, line 5, after “subsection” by striking out “(7)” and inserting “(8)”.

3. Amend page 414, line 17, after “subsection” by striking out “(6)” and inserting “(7)”.

4. Amend page 414, line 28, after “subsection” by striking out “(6)” and inserting “(7)”.

1. Amend page 469, line 21, after “263b,” by striking out “275k,”.

2. Amend page 469, line 27, after “388.1863b,” by striking out “388.1875k,”.

1. Amend page 374, line 23 by striking out all of subsection (2) and (3) and inserting:

“(2) Subject to subsection (3), the amount appropriated for community college operations is $385,744,500.00, allocated as follows:

(a) The appropriation for Alpena Community College is $6,810,000.00, $6,403,300.00 for operations, $115,500.00 for performance funding, $263,100.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $28,100.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(b) The appropriation for Bay de Noc Community College is $6,788,500.00, $6,298,000.00 for operations, $116,200.00 for performance funding, $262,000.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $112,300.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(c) The appropriation for Delta College is $17,941,800.00, $16,882,400.00 for operations, $319,100.00 for performance funding, $694,300.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $46,000.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(d) The appropriation for Glen Oaks Community College is $3,172,800.00, $2,984,100.00 for operations, $65,800.00 for performance funding, $122,500.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $400.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(e) The appropriation for Gogebic Community College is $5,745,800.00, $5,399,000.00 for operations, $104,900.00 for performance funding, $223,000.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $18,900.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(f) The appropriation for Grand Rapids Community College is $22,709,000.00, $21,184,200.00 for operations, $447,000.00 for performance funding, $874,800.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $203,000.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(g) The appropriation for Henry Ford College is $26,835,900.00, $25,300,700.00 for operations, $490,300.00 for performance funding, $1,037,500.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $7,400.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(h) The appropriation for Jackson College is $14,885,200.00, $14,032,600.00 for operations, $254,000.00 for performance funding, $576,400.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $22,200.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(i) The appropriation for Kalamazoo Valley Community College is $15,654,000.00, $14,704,400.00 for operations, $304,600.00 for performance funding, $604,800.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $40,200.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(j) The appropriation for Kellogg Community College is $12,154,400.00, $11,426,700.00 for operations, $214,800.00 for performance funding, $469,600.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $43,300.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(k) The appropriation for Kirtland Community College is $4,145,700.00, $3,835,100.00 for operations, $105,200.00 for performance funding, $159,100.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $46,300.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(l) The appropriation for Lake Michigan College is $6,821,400.00, $6,408,200.00 for operations, $140,600.00 for performance funding, $263,500.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $9,100.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(m) The appropriation for Lansing Community College is $38,279,800.00, $36,134,400.00 for operations, $588,700.00 for performance funding, $1,484,900.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $71,800.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(n) The appropriation for Macomb Community College is $40,474,000.00, $38,160,600.00 for operations, $718,100.00 for performance funding, $1,568,300.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $27,000.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(o) The appropriation for Mid Michigan Community College is $6,290,100.00, $5,837,000.00 for operations, $126,000.00 for performance funding, $242,700.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $84,400.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(p) The appropriation for Monroe County Community College is $5,705,200.00, $5,368,500.00 for operations, $113,900.00 for performance funding, $220,100.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $2,700.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(q) The appropriation for Montcalm Community College is $4,288,800.00, $4,033,300.00 for operations, $80,600.00 for performance funding, $165,400.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $9,500.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(r) The appropriation for C.S. Mott Community College is $19,097,300.00, $18,017,800.00 for operations, $326,000.00 for performance funding, $739,200.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $14,300.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(s) The appropriation for Muskegon Community College is $11,033,800.00, $10,359,900.00 for operations, $195,200.00 for performance funding, $426,500.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $52,200.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(t) The appropriation for North Central Michigan College is $4,386,900.00, $3,947,700.00 for operations, $107,800.00 for performance funding, $168,500.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $162,900.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(u) The appropriation for Northwestern Michigan College is $11,523,700.00, $10,619,800.00 for operations, $192,000.00 for performance funding, $445,900.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $266,000.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(v) The appropriation for Oakland Community College is $26,766,700.00, $25,130,000.00 for operations, $567,900.00 for performance funding, $1,031,900.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $36,900.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(w) The appropriation for Schoolcraft College is $15,942,800.00, $14,972,000.00 for operations, $338,800.00 for performance funding, $614,900.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $17,100.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(x) The appropriation for Southwestern Michigan College is $8,260,100.00, $7,786,600.00 for operations, $137,000.00 for performance funding, $320,000.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $16,500.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(y) The appropriation for St. Clair County Community College is $8,872,200.00, $8,342,000.00 for operations, $178,300.00 for performance funding, $342,600.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $9,300.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(z) The appropriation for Washtenaw Community College is $17,393,300.00, $16,257,300.00 for operations, $436,300.00 for performance funding, $667,300.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $32,400.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(aa) The appropriation for Wayne County Community College is $20,654,400.00, $19,460,300.00 for operations, $798,000.00 for performance funding, $798,000.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $3,700.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(bb) The appropriation for West Shore Community College is $3,110,900.00, $2,896,700.00 for operations, $66,700.00 for performance funding, $119,500.00 for infrastructure, technology, equipment, maintenance, and safety, and $28,000.00 for costs incurred under the North American Indian tuition waiver.

(3) The amount appropriated in subsection (2) for community college operations is $385,744,500.00

and is appropriated from the state school aid fund.” and adjusting the totals, subtotals, and enacting

section 1 accordingly.

2. Amend page 381, following line 14, by inserting:

“(7) For fiscal year 2026-2027 only, from the appropriation described in subsection (1), the

amount appropriated for tribal colleges is $750,000.00, appropriated from the state school aid fund, and is allocated as follows:

(a) Bay Mills Community College, $250,000.00.

(b) Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, $250,000.00.

(c) Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, $250,000.00.” and adjusting the totals, subtotals, and enacting section 1 accordingly.

1. Amend page 469, line 21, after “201f,” by striking out “217c,”.

2. Amend page 469, line 27, by striking out “388.1817c,”.

1. Amend page 89, following line 6, by inserting:

“Sec. 22s. (1) The general pupil support reserve fund is created as a separate account within the state school aid fund to fund programs described in section 35q and section 99h. It is the intent of the legislature that money in the general pupil support reserve fund will be used to support the above program for 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028.

(2) The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the general pupil support reserve fund. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the general pupil support reserve fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the general pupil support reserve fund interest and earnings from general pupil support reserve fund investments.

(3) Money in the general pupil support reserve fund at the close of the fiscal year remains in the general pupil support reserve fund and does not lapse to the state school aid fund.

(4) The department of treasury is the administrator of the general pupil support reserve fund for auditing purposes.

(5) Money available in the general pupil support reserve fund must not be expended without a specific appropriation.

(6) For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026 2027 only, $1,800,000.00 $9,400,000.00 from the general fund is deposited into the general pupil support reserve fund.”.

2. Amend page 233, following line 16, by inserting:

“(10) In addition to the state school aid pupil support reserve fund money appropriated in

section 11 and in addition to the state school aid fund money appropriated in subsection (1), there is appropriated for 2026-2027 the amount necessary from the state school aid pupil support reserve fund to fully fund the allocations under this subsection. The department shall make payments to districts in an amount equal to $2,500.00 per pupil in grade 3 who scored “not proficient” on the state English language arts test in the 2025-2026 school year and, with the consent of the pupil’s parent or legal guardian, was not promoted to grade 4 in the 2026-2027 school year. Funds received under this subsection must be used by districts to help pupils retained in grade 3 to become proficient in English language arts. Nothing in this subsection requires a district to retain a pupil who scored “not proficient” on the state English language arts test.

(11) In addition to the general pupil support reserve fund money appropriated in section 11 and in addition to the funds appropriated in subsections (1) and (10), there is appropriated for 2026-2027 the amount necessary from the general pupil support reserve fund to fully fund the allocations under this subsection. The department shall make payments to nonpublic schools in an amount equal to $2,500.00 per pupil in grade 3 who scored “not proficient” on the state English language arts test in the 2025-2026 school year and, with the consent of the pupil’s parent or legal guardian, was not promoted to grade 4 in the 2026-2027 school year. Funds received under this subsection must be used by nonpublic schools to help pupils retained in grade 3 to become proficient in English language arts. Nothing in this subsection requires a nonpublic school to retain a pupil who scored “not proficient” on

the state English language arts test.”.