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Section 31a At-Risk

Section 31a At-Risk

Program Description

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.

Current Legislative Updates

2024-25 State School Aid Act

Section 31a(14) Intent to Use Form for Eligible LEAs

In the 2024-25 State School Aid Act, eligible LEAs and PSAs that are identified with Opportunity Index scores in Bands 5 or 6 may utilize grant funds for the expanded allowable uses described in Section 31a(14), including reducing K-3 teacher-to-pupil in eligible schools (see the 2024-25 Eligible Schools for Section 31a(14)(a) List below) and supporting the use of retention and recruitment efforts to reduce staff turnover and vacancies. LEAs with an intent to use funds must report to the Michigan Department of Education (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 Form in NexSys.

The Section 31a Consultant Team will provide a virtual Webinar on Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 11:00am-12:15pm, to take a deeper look at the new expanded use of funds in Section 31a(14) along with the reporting requirement to the MDE for expanded use of funds provisions. Complete the registration to attend the Webinar.

Section 31a(14)(a) Eligible Schools for K-3 Teacher-to-Student Ratio Reduction

2024-25 Eligible Schools for Section 31a(14)(a) List

The 2024-25 Section 31a(14)(a) describes the new provision that allows districts in opportunity indexes 5 and 6 with schools with economically disadvantaged percentages equal to or greater than the minimum percentage for an LEA or PSA to be assigned to Opportunity Index Band 5 (72.01%) to reduce the teacher to pupil ratio in grade K-3 classrooms. School-level economically disadvantaged percentages were calculated with consideration for new Community Eligibility Program (CEP) buildings as referenced in Section 31a(3). LEAs must meet the following requirements and provisions to use funds in accordance with Section 31a(14)(a), which include that the LEA:

  • Must align with the needs assessment and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Model [Section 31a(2, 15)]
  • Must comply with the requirements under Section 1280f of the Revised School Code, MCL 380.1280f, “Read by Grade Three” Law [Section 31a(2)]
  • Shall not use funding for administrative costs or to supplant existing funding, including but not limited to, maintaining existing salaries or costs [Section 31a(15)]
  • Must report to the MDE by November 1 of the current fiscal year the intent to use the subsection (14) provision for use of funds [Section 31a(16)]
  • May retain the use of the Section 31a grant under subsection (14) for the fiscal year in which eligibility is determined plus two additional fiscal years, for a total of three grant cycles [Section 31a(16)]

Allocation Information

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:

  • Calculation
    • Office of State Aid and School Finance: 517-335-4059
  • Pupil Eligibility Count
    • Office of Educational Supports (OES), Financial Unit: 517-241-5388

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS): The MDE MTSS Practice Profile

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.

School Breakfast Program Supplement

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.

Resource Materials & Tools

At-Risk Program Planning

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.

Annual Program and Fiscal Report (APFR)

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:

  • FY24 Section 31a APFR: Overview Webinar 
    • This is a Webinar demonstrating how to complete the Section 31a APFR in NexSys
  • FY24 Section 31a APFR: Quick Review for Experienced Section 31a Reporters Webinar
    • This is a quick review of the Section 31a APFR for those LEA leaders who have completed the Report in previous years. It will provide an overview of the NexSys Report including a review of the four forms that are required, guidance on completing the MTSS responses, and highlight changes to this year’s Report.
  • FY24 Section 31a APFR: MTSS Responses Webinar
    • This Webinar shares updated guidance and background information regarding the MTSS narrative response questions on the APFR. FY23 is the 5th year that these questions have been a part of the Report and this Webinar provides historical context, MTSS resources, and tips for accurately completing the APFR narrative responses.
  • FY24 Webinar Coming Soon

Direct any questions to the Section 31a General Mailbox or your LEA’s Section 31a Single Point-of-Contact while completing the FY24 Section 31a APFR. Contact information is listed below.

Program Contacts

OES Special Populations Unit

Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability