Section 388.1632d - Great start readiness programs; competitive grant payments; evaluation; comprehensive part-day or full-day programs; application for funding; form and manner; contract with for-pro
THE STATE SCHOOL AID ACT OF 1979 (EXCERPT)
Act 94 of 1979
***** 388.1632d THIS SECTION IS AMENDED EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2010: See 388.1632d.amended *****
388.1632d Great start readiness programs; competitive grant payments; evaluation; comprehensive part-day or full-day programs; application for funding; form and manner; contract with for-profit or nonprofit preschool center providers; report; "employment status" defined.
Sec. 32d.
(1) For 2009-2010, from the state school aid fund appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $88,100,000.00 to eligible districts for great start readiness programs and from the general fund appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $7,575,000.00 for competitive great start readiness program grants. Funds allocated under this section shall be used to provide part-day or full-day comprehensive free compensatory programs designed to do 1 or both of the following:
(a) Improve the readiness and subsequent achievement of educationally disadvantaged children as defined by the department who will be at least 4, but less than 5 years of age, as of December 1 of the school year in which the programs are offered, and who show evidence of 2 or more risk factors as defined by the state board.
(b) Provide preschool and parenting education programs similar to those under former section 32b as in effect for 2001-2002. Beginning in 2007-2008, funds spent by a district for programs described in this subdivision shall not exceed the lesser of the amount spent by the district under this subdivision for 2006-2007 or the amount spent under this subdivision in any subsequent fiscal year.
(2) To be eligible to receive payments under this section, a district shall comply with this section and section 39. To receive competitive grant payments under this section, an eligible grant recipient shall comply with this section and section 32l.
(3) In addition to the allocation under subsection (1), from the general fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $300,000.00 for 2009-2010 for a competitive grant to continue a longitudinal evaluation of children who have participated in great start readiness programs.
(4) To be eligible for funding under this section, a program shall prepare children for success in school through comprehensive part-day or full-day programs that contain all of the following program components, as determined by the department:
(a) Participation in a collaborative recruitment and enrollment process. At a minimum, the process shall include all other funded preschool programs that may serve children in the same geographic area, to assure that each child is enrolled in the program most appropriate to his or her needs and to maximize the use of federal, state, and local funds.
(b) An age-appropriate educational curriculum that is in compliance with the early childhood standards of quality for prekindergarten children adopted by the state board.
(c) Nutritional services for all program participants.
(d) Health screening services for all program participants.
(e) Referral services for families of program participants to community social service agencies, 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.
(h) Participation in a multidistrict, multiagency, school readiness advisory committee 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 review the program components listed in this subsection and make recommendations for changes to the great start readiness program for which it is an advisory committee.
(i) For great start readiness programs operated by a district or consortium of districts, provide for the ongoing articulation of the early childhood, kindergarten, and first grade programs offered by the district or districts.
(5) An application for funding under this section shall provide for the following, in a form and manner determined by the department:
(a) Ensure compliance with all program components described in subsection (4).
(b) Ensure that more than 50% of the children participating in an eligible great start readiness program are children who live with families with a household income that is equal to or less than 300% of the federal poverty level.
(c) Ensure that the applicant only employs qualified personnel for this program, as follows:
(i) Teachers possessing proper training. For programs the district manages itself, a valid teaching certificate and an early childhood (ZA) endorsement are required. This provision does not apply to a district that subcontracts with an eligible child development program. In that situation, a teacher must have a valid Michigan teaching certificate with an early childhood (ZA) endorsement, a valid Michigan teaching certificate with a child development associate credential, or a bachelor's degree in child development with specialization in preschool teaching. However, both of the following apply to this subparagraph:
(A) If a district demonstrates to the department that it is unable to fully comply with this subparagraph after making reasonable efforts to comply, teachers who have significant but incomplete training in early childhood education or child development may be employed by the district if the district provides to the department, and the department approves, a plan for each teacher to come into compliance with the standards in this subparagraph. A teacher's compliance plan must be completed within 4 years of the date of employment. Progress toward completion of the compliance plan shall consist of at least 2 courses per calendar year.
(B) For a subcontracted program, the department shall consider a teacher with 90 credit hours and at least 4 years' teaching experience in a qualified preschool program to meet the requirements under this subparagraph.
(ii) Paraprofessionals possessing proper training in early childhood development, including an associate's degree in early childhood education or child development or the equivalent, or a child development associate (CDA) credential, or the equivalent as approved by the state board. However, if a district demonstrates to the department that it is unable to fully comply with this subparagraph after making reasonable efforts to comply, the district may employ paraprofessionals who have completed at least 1 course in early childhood education or child development if the district provides to the department, and the department 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 2 years of the date of employment. Progress toward completion of the compliance plan shall consist of at least 2 courses or 60 clock hours 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. The program budget shall indicate the extent to which these funds will supplement other federal, state, local, or private funds. Funds received under this section shall not be used to supplant any federal funds by the applicant to serve children eligible for a federally funded existing preschool program that has the capacity to serve those children.
(6) For a grant recipient that enrolls pupils in a full-day program funded under this section, each child enrolled in the full-day program shall be counted as 2 children served by the program for purposes of determining the number of children to be served and for determining the amount of the grant award. A grant award shall not be increased solely on the basis of providing a full-day program. As used in this subsection, "full-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 full-day program must enroll all children for the full day to be considered a full-day program.
(7) A district or consortium of districts receiving a grant under this section may contract with for-profit or nonprofit preschool center providers that meet all requirements of subsection (4) and retain for administrative services an amount equal to not more than 5% of the grant amount. A district or consortium of districts may expend not more than 10% of the total grant amount for administration of the program.
(8) Any public or private for-profit or nonprofit legal entity or agency may apply for a competitive grant under this section. However, a district or intermediate district may not apply for a competitive grant under this section unless the district, intermediate district, or consortium of districts or intermediate districts is acting as a local grantee for the federal head start program operating under the head start act, 42 USC 9831 to 9852.
(9) A recipient of funds under this section shall report to the department on the midyear report the number of children participating in the program who meet the income or other eligibility criteria prescribed by the department and the total number of children participating in the program. For children participating in the program who meet the income or other eligibility criteria specified under subsection (5)(b), a recipient shall also report whether or not a parent is available to provide care based on employment status. For the purposes of this subsection, "employment status" shall be defined by the department of human services in a manner consistent with maximizing the amount of spending that may be claimed for temporary assistance for needy families maintenance of effort purposes.
History: Add. 2000, Act 297, Imd. Eff. July 26, 2000 ;-- Am. 2001, Act 121, Imd. Eff. Sept. 28, 2001 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 191, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2002 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 521, Imd. Eff. July 25, 2002 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 158, Eff. Oct. 1, 2003 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 351, Eff. Oct. 1, 2004 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 155, Eff. Oct. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 342, Eff. Oct. 1, 2006 ;-- Am. 2007, Act 137, Imd. Eff. Nov. 8, 2007 ;-- Am. 2008, Act 268, Eff. Oct. 1, 2008 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 121, Imd. Eff. Oct. 19, 2009
Compiler's Notes: In the first and last sentences of subsection (1), as amended by Act 121 of 2001, the phrases “and 2002-2003” and “and for 2002-2003” were vetoed by the governor September 28, 2001.In subsection (2), as amended by Act 121 of 2001, the phrase “and 2002-2003” was vetoed by the governor September 28, 2001.Enacting section 3 of Act 521 of 2002 provides:“Enacting section 3. This amendatory act does not take effect unless the tax on cigarettes under the tobacco products tax act, 1993 PA 327, MCL 205.421 to 205.436, is increased by 50 cents or more per pack of cigarettes (25 mills per cigarette) effective on or before September 30, 2002 and the revenue from not less than 20 cents per pack of cigarettes (10 mills per cigarette) of that increase is dedicated by law for deposit into the state school aid fund established by section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963.”For legislation increasing tax on cigarettes and dedicating a portion of increased revenue to state school aid fund, see 2002 PA 503, Imd. Eff. July 18, 2002.Enacting section 1 of Act 351 of 2004 provides:“Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act from state sources for fiscal year 2004-2005 is estimated at $11,173,900,000.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2004-2005 are estimated at $11,113,650,400.00.”Enacting section 1 of 2005 PA 155 provides:"Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act and in House Bill No. 4831 of the 93rd Legislature from state sources for fiscal year 2005-2006 is estimated at $11,364,814,000.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2005-2006 are estimated at $11,341,913,100.00."Enacting section 1 of Act 342 of 2006 provides:"Enacting section 1. (1) In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act from state sources for fiscal year 2006-2007 is estimated at $11,682,508,200.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2006-2007 are estimated at $11,536,597,200.00.(2) In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources for fiscal year 2005-2006 in this amendatory act and 2005 PA 155 is estimated at $11,308,027,200.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2004-2005 are estimated at $11,285,376,300.00."Enacting section 1 of Act 137 of 2007 provides:"Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act from state sources for fiscal year 2007-2008 is estimated at $11,527,973,800.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2007-2008 are estimated at $11,458,493,300.00."Enacting section 1 of Act 268 of 2008 provides:"Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act from state sources for fiscal year 2008-2009 is estimated at $11,816,898,200.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2008-2009 are estimated at $11,602,465,900.00."Enacting section 1 of Act 121 of 2009 provides:"Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act from state sources for fiscal year 2009-2010 is estimated at $10,825,754,100.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2009-2010 are estimated at $10,718,801,700.00."