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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
- 2021-22 Legislative Update Summary
- FAQ (Updated 4/15/22)
- Pupil Identification Worksheet Template (Updated 6/4/21)
- Program Monitoring Indicators
- Program Review Companion Guide (Updated 8/11/21)
- The State School Aid Act of 1979
- Regionalization of Service Areas: Point of Contact
- Regionalization of Service Areas Assignment by ISD (Updated 4/7/22)
- Webinars
- MDE Section 31a Playlist (Recorded Webinars)
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.
- Section 31a At-Risk Planning Guide (Updated 4/24/20)
- TA on intentional program planning and continuous improvement
- Section 31a Inventory and Analysis Worksheet (Updated 4/24/20)
- Documentation tool that LEAs may complete to inventory Section 31a program services and review State and local data to determine the effectiveness of programming
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:
- FY22 Section 31a APFR June 1 Recorded Webinar
- This is a Webinar demonstrating how to complete the Section 31a APFR in NexSys
- FY22 Section 31a APFR: Quick Review for Experienced Section 31a Reporters Pre-Recorded 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.
- FY22 APFR MTSS Responses Pre-Recorded Webinar
- This Webinar shares updated guidance and background information regarding the MTSS narrative response questions on the APFR. FY22 is the 4th 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.
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
- Michelle Williams: Manager
- Special Populations Unit, OES, WilliamsM48@michigan.gov
- Dawn Carmody: Section 31a and Title I, Part D - Neglected and Delinquent Consultant
- Special Populations Unit, OES, CarmodyD1@michigan.gov
- Suzanne Grambush: Section 31a, Early Literacy, and MTSS Consultant
- Special Populations Unit, OES, GrambushS1@michigan.gov
- Stephanie Holmes-Webster: Section 31a, Early Literacy, and MTSS Consultant
- Special Populations Unit, OES, HolmesWebsterS@michigan.gov
- Alex Schwarz: Accountability Specialist
- Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability, SchwarzA@michigan.gov
- Section 31a General Mailbox