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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(19).

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 documents are available below.

Allocation Information

Section 31a Estimated Allocations can be found on the Michigan Department of Education's (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 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below for further guidance.

Resource Materials & Tools

At-Risk Program Planning

The MDE team is providing Technical Assistance (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.

Section 31a Consultants have provided recorded Webinars 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 FY22 Section 31a APFR. Contact information is listed below.

Program Contacts