Information on Michigan academic standards and instructional resources.
Learn more about the MDE office responsible for providing leadership in curriculum and instruction that provides students with greater choices to prepare for success.
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Options available for Michigan students that provide unique learning opportunities.
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Michigan has an innovative and comprehensive system of assessments to measure student achievement in learning our state content standards.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
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Section 31a of the State School Aid Act provides categorical funding to eligible Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and Public School Academies (PSAs) for the intent and purposes focused on the following student outcomes: attending school regularly, reading proficiently by the end of 3rd Grade, being proficient in mathematics by the end of 8th Grade, and being career and college ready by high school graduation [Section 31a(1)]. An "At-Risk Pupil" is a K-12 pupil, for whom the LEA has documentation, that meets any of the 10 identification criteria in Section 31a(25).
Funds allocated through Section 31a At-Risk are limited to instructional services and direct non-instructional services to pupils. They are intended to be spent in the current State fiscal year and may not be used for administration or other related costs. LEAs may carry over funds for one year. Legislative and Technical Assistance (TA) documents are available below.
The Section 31a law in the 2025-26 State School Aid Act continues the provision to expand the allowable use of the Section 31a at-risk grant funds for eligible districts and schools, including K-3 Teacher-to-Pupil Ratio Reduction for eligible schools [Section 31a(14)(a)] and efforts to recruit and retain staff [Section 31a(14)(b)].
Which LEAs are eligible?
Section 31a(14)(a): Eligible LEAs are districts with school buildings that operate grades K-3.
Section 31a(14)(b): Eligible LEAs are LEAs in Opportunity Index Bands 4, 5, and 6.
The Section 31a law allows LEAs to utilize up to 30% of their Section 31a allocation for reduction of the teacher-to-pupil ratio in grades K-3 [Section 31(14)(a)] and/or up to 30% of their allocation for strategies to recruit and retain staff [Section 31a(14)(b)].
To meet requirements and provisions to use funds in accordance with Section 31a(14), LEAs:
LEAs that intend to use funds for the K-3 Teacher-to-Pupil Ratio Reduction or for retention and recruitment efforts must report to the MDE no later than November 1. Additional information is provided in the links below including a Planning Template and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to support eligible LEAs with the completion of the Section 31a(14) Intent to Use Report in NexSys.
LEAs are advised that this information may be revoked or changed in accordance with current law.
Section 31a Estimated Allocations can be found on the MDE's State Aid Payment Information webpage. Please refer to the following contacts for specific allocation-related questions:
LEAs utilizing Section 31a funding are required to implement a K-12 MTSS framework with fidelity. The MDE has created the MTSS Practice Profile as a model for implementing a responsive framework to address the academic and non-academic needs of students in the State of Michigan. For more comprehensive information, please visit the MDE MTSS Practice Profile webpage.
Per Section 31a(6), LEAs operating a school breakfast program are to use up to $10/student for the costs associated with the operation of that program. This is not an optional expenditure of Section 31a funds. Please refer to the FAQ below for further guidance.
The Section 31a Consultant Team is providing TA guidance resources to aid LEAs in meeting the intent and purpose of Section 31a. These resources will guide LEAs in intentional program planning to address the requirements of Section 31a and maximize resources to meet the instructional and non-instructional needs of at-risk-eligible students.
The Section 31a APFR is due July 15 of each year. This fulfills the Section 31a(9) reporting requirement. The APFR is available through NexSys by logging into your MILogin for Third Party account.
The Section 31a Consultant Team has provided recorded Webinars for district leaders regarding how to ensure accurate and timely completion of the APFR. The APFR has minor revisions from year-to-year. These videos will be useful resources throughout the year for new and veteran reporters due to the stability of the Report. Webinars are provided on the following topics:
Direct any questions to the Section 31a General Mailbox or your LEA’s Section 31a Single Point-of-Contact while completing the FY25 Section 31a APFR. Contact information is listed below.
OES Special Populations Unit
Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability
