Information on Michigan academic standards and instructional resources.
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Learn more about the MDE office responsible for providing leadership in curriculum and instruction that provides students with greater choices to prepare for success.
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Resources related to financial and pupil accounting and auditing.
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This MDE office provides resources and technical assistance in physical education, sex education, health education, behavioral, emotional, mental, and social education as well as safety, discipline, and transportation.
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Michigan has an innovative and comprehensive system of assessments to measure student achievement in learning our state content standards.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
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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.
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 provided a virtual webinar on Thursday, October 20, 2024. The recording of the webinar is available on the MDE Section 31a YouTube Playlist.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
Direct any questions to the Section 31a General Mailbox or your LEA’s Section 31a Single Point-of-Contact while completing the FY25 Section 31a APFR. Contact information is listed below.
To help support the timely submission of the FY25 APFR, Section 31a Consultants are offering a Live Webinar on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 10:00am–11:30am. The Live Webinar and Question & Answer session is designed to walk LEA representatives through the accurate completion of the FY25 APFR.
Please register in advance for the June 3, 2025, Live Webinar. After registering, a confirmation e-mail will be sent containing the information about how to join the Live Webinar.
In addition to the Live Webinar, Section 31a Consultants will be offering three TA Office Hours sessions on June 24, June 30, and July 10, 2025. These Office Hours are opportunities for district leadership to join the ZOOM link below (during the listed time) for TA support.
During TA Office Hours, please feel free to stop in using the link below for the day and time you would like TA. When entering TA Office Hours, you will first enter a waiting room and the Section 31a Consultant will let you into the meeting room.
OES Special Populations Unit
Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability
