Information on Michigan academic standards and instructional resources.
Responsible for providing final decisions in administrative appeals to MDE.
Learn more about the MDE office responsible for providing leadership in curriculum and instruction that provides students with greater choices to prepare for success.
Early learning and development program resources for all children, birth to age eight, especially those in highest need.
Resources for educator certification, recognition programs, evaluation, and workforce research.
Resources related to financial and pupil accounting and auditing.
Options available for Michigan students that provide unique learning opportunities.
Resources for Michigan’s Out-of-School Time programs and providers.
Resources for programs and initiatives that support school improvement efforts.
Michigan has an innovative and comprehensive system of assessments to measure student achievement in learning our state content standards.
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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:
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.
