Sec. 297a.

(1) From the appropriation in section 297, there is allocated for 2017-2018 an amount not to exceed $36,485,000.00 for the expansion of K-12 education programs that focus on creating competencies and earning credentials in high-demand fields.

(2) Subject to section 297k, from the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $29,935,000.00 for competitive grants to districts and intermediate districts that are members of and apply on behalf of a talent consortium, in a form and manner prescribed by the department under section 297i for the purpose of expanding or creating pupil experiences that result in competencies or credentials, or both, in high-demand fields. An application for a grant under this subsection must include a commitment to adopt the principles of a competency-based instructional model.

(3) Funds received under this section shall be used by members of the talent consortium for any of the following:

(a) Stipends for industry mentors to assist in teaching classes in high-demand fields.

(b) Testing or project fees on behalf of pupils for the purpose of earning credentials in high-demand fields.

(c) Professional development for teachers who improve their capacity to teach high-demand skills. Grants awarded for this purpose shall not exceed $5,000.00 per teacher.

(d) The hiring of full-time staff to create or expand a program in a high-demand field. In order to use funds for this purpose, the applicant must commit to continuing to provide the program for at least an additional 3 years following the final disbursement of funds. The total amount of grants awarded for the purpose under this subdivision must not exceed $7,000,000.00. An applicant shall not receive more than 1 grant for the purposes under this subdivision.

(e) The creation of new curriculum, which may include, but is not limited to, professional development, materials, lesson plans, pupil projects, and other items needed in a high-demand field that lacks sufficient curricula, as determined by the department. A curriculum created using funds allocated under this section must meet all of the following:

(i) Is made open-source to other districts across this state, to the extent practicable.

(ii) Is developed with the direct and meaningful input of at least 1 employer who is party to a talent consortium.

(iii) Utilizes the principles of competency-based learning.

(iv) Leads to a credential.

(f) To assist certificated teachers to earn new endorsements in areas of high-demand critical shortage through a competency-based residency model. Grants awarded for the purposes under this subdivision must not exceed $8,000.00 per teacher and must be used to pay the costs of a teacher's participation in a teacher preparation program that collaborates with the department to develop endorsement programs that cost no more than $8,000.00 for a teacher or a district and that assess a teacher's mastery of standards in a competency-based model.

(4) At least $2,000,000.00 of the funds appropriated under subsection (1) must be used for competitive grants to districts that are members of a talent consortium and that seek to convert an entire school or district to a competency-based learning model. Applications under this section must include all of the following:

(a) An educational model that allows the use of multiple and innovative methods to determine pupils' achievement of grade-level competencies and credit under the Michigan merit curriculum.

(b) Curriculum that allows for a majority of instructional time to be spent on pupil-driven projects that target academic skills and assist pupils in achieving 21st century skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem solving, and communication.

(c) An innovative partnership with employers or institutes of higher education, or both, to provide contextualized learning opportunities that emphasize attainment of competencies that include application and creation of knowledge, along with the development of work-ready skills.

(d) A plan for the transition away from a grade-level system of pupil promotion to a competency-based system of pupil promotion. This plan must include messaging to parents describing the benefits of, and steps taken to implement, a competency-based instructional model.

(e) A plan for a scope and timeline of professional development for school instructional and administrative staff.

(f) A commitment to maintain participation in statewide assessment and accountability systems for pupils being served by programs funded under this section.

(g) A description of how the applicant will be an ambassador for competency-based learning, including a commitment to mentor other districts that wish to convert to a competency-based instructional model.

(5) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2017-2018 an amount not to exceed $1,100,000.00 to the department of technology, management, and budget to support critical cybersecurity training and infrastructure programs, as approved by this state's information technology governance council. Funding allocated under this subsection must be used to expand the Michigan high school cyber challenge program, as approved by the department of technology, management, and budget. The expansion must include, but is not limited to, both of the following:

(a) An open professional credentialing or micro-credentialing process, or both, for any pupil in grades 9 to 12 who demonstrates mastery of industry-recognized cybersecurity skills.

(b) Collaboration with other cybersecurity programs to ensure alignment of coach, mentor, and educator skills.

(6) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2017-2018 an amount not to exceed $450,000.00 to the department for statewide supports for competency-based learning, including, but not limited to, the necessary capacity-building infrastructure, tools, transcripts, and reporting mechanisms to support the implementation of competency-based education models in districts and consortia of districts receiving funding under subsection (4) with the goal of offering these tools statewide.

(7) From the funds allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 to the department for providing technical assistance to districts to help districts integrate the Michigan merit curriculum into competency-based programs, including career and technical education programs.

(8) From the funds allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2017-2018 an amount not to exceed $4,000,000.00 for an innovative educator program. Funds shall be used to support educators who possess specialized skills and use those skills to deploy innovative instructional programs for the purposes of replication, expansion, and dissemination across this state. All of the following apply to the innovative educator program:

(a) Beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, the department shall develop a process for selecting innovative educators under this section.

(b) The governing body of each district may nominate 1 educator to the intermediate district in which the district is located for appointment to the innovative educator corps, according to the timelines established by the department. An individual must meet all of the following to be nominated under this subdivision:

(i) Have demonstrated documented pupil academic achievement in the innovative program or the creation of pupil talent portfolios in high-demand fields.

(ii) Be recommended by, at least, peers, pupils, administrators, parents, and local community partners.

(iii) Have demonstrated successful implementation of innovative instructional methodology in preparing pupils for 21st century careers.

(iv) Exemplify the passion, energy, and professionalism of the teaching profession.

(c) Not later than December 1 of each year, depending on availability of funds, the department shall review the nominations submitted under subdivision (b) and select up to 100 educators from the submitted nominations for appointment to the innovative educator corps for a term of 3 years. The department shall select educators based on at least both of the following criteria:

(i) Preference for educators with demonstrated community, higher education, or business partnerships.

(ii) Preference for educators who utilize a competency-based instructional model, utilize a project-based instructional model, have had success in the turnaround of a low-performing school, or have had success in a balanced or year-round calendar.

(d) If sufficient funding is available, each of the educators selected by the department to serve in the innovative educator corps under subdivision (c) shall receive a stipend in the amount of $5,000.00 per year for up to 3 years. At least 1 time per year, the department shall review the qualification of educators to ensure the eligibility requirements, and other requirements established by the department, are still being met. If sufficient funding is available, an additional $5,000.00 per educator will be awarded annually to the intermediate district for purposes of replication, expansion, and dissemination of the innovative strategies and program. The selected educator shall develop a plan with the intermediate district that details how the funds will be spent to support the duties of the selected educator under this subsection. These funds may be used to cover costs, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Pupil and educator travel.

(ii) Substitute educators.

(iii) Program materials.

(iv) Training materials.

(v) Pupil supplies and materials.

(9) The superintendent of public instruction shall promulgate rules to implement this section.

History: Add. 2018, Act 227, Imd. Eff. June 27, 2018 Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 1 of Act 227 of 2018 provides:"Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources on state school aid under article V of the state school aid act of 1979, 1979 PA 94, MCL 388.1897 to 388.1897n, as added by this amendatory act for fiscal year 2017-2018 is estimated at $100,000,000.00 and state appropriations for school aid to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2017-2018 are estimated at $61,235,000.00."In enacting section 1 of Act 227 of 2018, the reference to "MCL 388.1897 to 388.1897n" evidently should read "MCL 388.1897 to 388.1897l."