Removing Barriers to Flexible Curriculum Delivery:
Replacing Seat-time as the Funding Criterion

May 4, 2009
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Kellogg Center, MSU

This session is divided into three sections.  The first section will introduce the topic and provided an overview of stakeholder interviews. The second section will examine the current structure of school funding based on student seat time.  How students receive credit under this system will be discussed. The third section of this presentation will consider possible changes to this structure using rule changes, the legislative process, and/or the referendum process. Questions will be entertained throughout the presentations and time has been allotted for discussion at the end of the session.

Learning Team Members:

Jeff Bohl
Philip Boone
Bob Howe
Kevin MacRitchie
Doug McCall
Bob Rock
Chuck Saur
John VanWagoner

Agenda:

Noon Lunch
1:00 General introduction of the topic
1:10 Results of stakeholder interviews
1:35 Wavier Guidance and the Traverse City Experience
1:45 Introduction of Mary Alice Galloway
2:15 Group Discussion
2:45 Break
3:00 Rules change overview
3:20 Legislative overview  
3:40 Legislative examples
3:45 Referendum Overview
3:55 Introduction of Dianne Byrum
4:25 Group Discussion
5:00 Final Comments from Dan/Jacque

Resource Persons:

Dianne Byrum,
Member Michigan State University Board of Trustees,
Michigan House of Representatives 1991-94 and 2003-06,
Michigan Senate 1995-2002

Dianne Byrum is currently a partner with Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, an East Lansing, Michigan-based public relations firm.

MaryAlice Galloway (EPFP 2000-01)
Interim Director
Office of School Improvement
Michigan Department of Education

MaryAlice has worked for the Michigan Department of Education for many years in a variety of service areas. She currently serves as Interim Director of the Office of School Improvement overseeing the many programs and services in the areas of school improvement, federal formula funded programs (Title I, Title II, etc), curriculum and instruction, and support to diverse learners. She is committed to collaborative efforts to accomplish the work of education for all Michigan students.

Resource Materials:

Sections from the Michigan Department of Education’s Pupil Accounting Manual

Section 2 – Hours of Pupil Instruction

Section 3 – Pupil Membership Count Requirements

Section 5H – Reduced School Pupils

Section 5O

Recent newspaper and magazine articles and editorials from around the national and state regarding student days and hours of instruction, “seat time”.

Letter from Michigan Superintendent of Instruction Mike Flanagan to Traverse City Area Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jayne Mohr regarding her request to waive seat time requirements.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

“Rule” defined

Eligibility to receive state aid – see subsection (9)

State Board, duties general – see subsection (3)

School District Pupil Accounting for Distribution of State Aid

David Hollister: “A Public Policy Primer”

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