ALGEBRA II REQUIREMENT: CTE PROGRAM S.B. 698: FLOOR SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]






Senate Bill 698 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Wayne Kuipers
Committee: Education

CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised School Code to permit a pupil to meet the algebra II requirement of the Michigan Merit Standard by completing a formal career and technical education (CTE) program or curriculum that was approved by the Department of Education and had embedded math content, including a program or curriculum in electronics, machining, construction, welding, engineering, or renewable energy.


Within 30 days after the bill's effective date, the Department would have to post on its website and submit to the Senate and House standing committees on education guidelines for implementing that provision.


MCL 380.1278a Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker

FISCAL IMPACT
State: The Department of Education would see increased costs under this legislation. The costs would stem from the requirement that the Department determine, within 30 days of the bill's enactment, what would constitute an "approved formal career and technical education program or curriculum that has embedded mathematics content", and then post the guidelines on its website.


Also, to the extent that fewer students dropped out of school because of a real or perceived inability to complete algebra II, the State would incur higher per-pupil foundation allowance costs for the additional length of time these students remained in school. In other words, the State saves foundation allowance funding when a student drops out, and if students remain in school, the State pays school districts foundation allowance funding for each student counted in membership. If, as a result of this legislation, more students were counted in membership than otherwise will occur, higher State school aid foundation allowance costs would result.


Local: Since this legislation would allow for alternative methods of fulfilling algebra II requirements, but would not mandate those alternative methods, there are no local costs associated with the bill. If a district chose to use a CTE program for algebra II completion, it would be the option of the local district based on the needs within the district.


Date Completed: 8-6-09 Fiscal Analyst: Kathryn Summers

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb698/0910