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Alternative Education
Overview
Alternative Education is a program operated as a subdivision of the regular K-12 program. It is designed for students who can be better served in an alternative delivery system. Students served include those who have specific needs and are often at risk of not graduating. Alternative Education programs seek to provide added flexibility and alternative instructional models. These often include expanded services from the traditional setting such as online learning, institutional programs, counseling, childcare, and transportation; in an effort to help students overcome barriers and meet the goals of the Michigan Merit Curriculum. Alternative Education pupils are funded under the K-12 foundation rate.
Alternative Education is a separate, non-traditional program within a K-12 public school district or a public school academy established to provide personalized educational services for students who:
- are at risk of not graduating with their class; and/or
- have individual needs not being met in a traditional setting.
MDE Contacts
- Jeff McNeal: 517-241-6958
- Steve Nemeckay: 517-331-7789
Alternative Education / Innovative Programs Reduction of Hours and/or Days Waivers
MDE will start accepting applications for waivers on March 30, 2023, for innovative and alternative programs. The application for innovative waivers can be found here. The application for alternative waivers can be found here. Applications must be submitted prior to June 15, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
For entities that received an innovative (hours and days) waiver in 2022-2023, the end-of-year report form can be found here. For entities that received an alternative (hours and days) waiver in 2022-2023, the end-of-year report form can be found here. The reporting deadline is June 15, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. The report is only required for entities that were approved for the waiver for 2022-2023.
Please reach out to Jeff McNeal or Steve Nemeckay if you have any questions.
Additional Resources
- Michigan Flexibility Guide
- Section 101(9) [MCL 388.1701] of the State School Aid Act of 1979
- Information on Teacher of Record for Online or Computer-Based Instruction
- Alternative Education: Classroom Teacher Placements
- Teacher Certification questions: mde-educatorhelp@michigan.gov or 517-241-5000
- Education Development Plan (EDP) Fundamentals
- Section 21f Expanded Virtual Learning for Course Providers (Updated 12/22/22)
- Section 21f allows districts, intermediate districts, community colleges, the Michigan Virtual (MV), and other third-party vendors the opportunity to publish courses in a Statewide catalog of virtual courses for consumption by pupils located throughout Michigan.