Michigan Legislative Website

Sec. 98.

(1) From the general fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $4,387,500.00 for 2012-2013 for the purposes described in this section.

(2) The Michigan virtual university shall establish the center for online learning research and innovation. The center for online learning research and innovation shall do all of the following:

(a) Support and accelerate innovation in education through the following activities:

(i) Test, evaluate, and recommend as appropriate new technology-based instructional tools and resources.

(ii) Research, design, and recommend online and blended education delivery models for use by pupils and teachers that include age-appropriate multimedia instructional content.

(iii) Research, design, and recommend competency-based online assessments.

(iv) Research, develop, and recommend annually to the department criteria by which cyber schools and online course providers should be monitored and evaluated to ensure a quality education for their pupils.

(v) Based on pupil completion and performance data reported to the department or the center for educational performance and information from cyber schools and other online course providers operating in this state, analyze the effectiveness of online learning delivery models in preparing pupils to be college- and career-ready and publish a report that highlights enrollment totals, completion rates, and the overall impact on pupils. The report shall be submitted to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, the state budget director, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the department not later than December 31, 2013.

(vi) Design professional development services for teachers, school administrators, and school board members to learn how to effectively integrate new technologies and online learning into curricula and instruction.

(vii) Identify and share best practices for implementing online and blended education delivery models with intermediate districts, districts, and public school academies to accelerate the adoption of innovative education delivery models statewide.

(b) Provide leadership for this state's system of online and blended learning education by doing the following activities:

(i) Develop and report policy recommendations to the governor and the legislature that accelerate the expansion of effective online learning in this state's schools.

(ii) Provide a clearinghouse for research reports, academic studies, evaluations, and other information related to online learning.

(iii) Promote and distribute the most current instructional design standards and guidelines for online teaching.

(iv) In collaboration with the department and interested colleges and universities in this state, recommend to the superintendent guidelines and standards for a new teacher endorsement credential related to effective online and blended instruction.

(v) Pursue public/private partnerships that include districts to study and implement competency-based technology-rich online learning models.

(vi) Convene focus groups and conduct annual surveys of teachers, administrators, pupils, parents, and others to identify barriers and opportunities related to online learning.

(vii) Produce an annual consumer awareness report for schools and parents about effective online education providers and education delivery models, performance data, cost structures, and research trends.

(3) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, from the funds allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 for 2012-2013 to the Michigan virtual school operated by the Michigan virtual university to conduct and report on a year-long pilot study of a new performance-based funding model for the Michigan virtual school. The purpose of the pilot study is to determine the merits of a payment system for online instructional programs based on pupil performance rather than solely on enrollment and attendance factors. All of the following apply to the pilot study and the funding under this subsection:

(a) The Michigan virtual school shall randomly select a minimum of 1,000 of its qualifying online course enrollments for inclusion in the pilot study. The Michigan virtual school shall issue a refund or credit to districts for all online course enrollments included in the pilot study.

(b) The Michigan virtual school shall report to the department the number of online course enrollments in the pilot study that meet the following conditions:

(i) The pupil successfully completed the online course as measured by assessments aligned to the course content and earned a grade or credit from the district or public school academy in which the pupil is enrolled.

(ii) The online course is taught by a Michigan certificated teacher certified in the subject area in which the course is being offered.

(iii) Where applicable, the online course is aligned with Michigan curriculum standards.

(iv) The online course curriculum contains periodic online pupil assessments.

(v) Pupils have access to the appropriate technology hardware and software necessary to take the online course.

(vi) Parents or guardians and pupils have secure online access to review periodic pupil progress and performance data.

(vii) The online instructor is available to interact with parents or guardians and pupils using electronic communications.

(c) The department shall pay to Michigan virtual school from the funding under this subsection an amount not to exceed the equivalent of 1/12 of the state's minimum per pupil foundation allowance for each online course enrollment included in the pilot study that meets the conditions of subdivision (b) in the next school aid payment after the report is received by the department.

(4) In order for the Michigan virtual university to receive any funds allocated under this section, the Michigan virtual school must maintain its accreditation status from recognized national and international accrediting entities.

(5) The Michigan virtual school may offer online course offerings in addition to those offered in the pilot study described in subsection (3), including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(a) Information technology courses.

(b) College level equivalent courses, as defined in section 1471 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1471.

(c) Courses and dual enrollment opportunities.

(d) Programs and services for at-risk pupils.

(e) General education development test preparation courses for adjudicated youth.

(f) Special interest courses.

(g) Professional development programs for teachers, school administrators, other school employees, and school board members.

(6) If a home-schooled or nonpublic school student is a resident of a district that subscribes to services provided by the Michigan virtual school, the student may use the services provided by the Michigan virtual school to the district without charge to the student beyond what is charged to a district pupil using the same services.

(7) Not later than December 1 of each fiscal year, the Michigan virtual university shall provide a report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, the state budget director, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the department that includes at least all of the following information related to the Michigan virtual school for the preceding state fiscal year:

(a) A list of the districts served by the Michigan virtual school.

(b) A list of online course titles available to districts.

(c) The total number of online course enrollments and information on registrations and completions by course.

(d) The overall course completion rate percentage.

(e) An analysis of the results of the pilot study described in subsection (3), including, but not limited to:

(i) A list of the districts that were selected to be part of the pilot study.

(ii) The number of successful online course completions.

(iii) A list of the courses offered in the pilot study and the completion rates for each course.

(iv) Identification of opportunities and barriers that must be addressed in order to apply online learning performance funding based on successful completions rather than enrollment and attendance for online learning offerings statewide.

(8) The governor may appoint an advisory group for the center for online learning research and innovation established under subsection (2). The members of the advisory group shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and shall serve without compensation. The purpose of the advisory group is to make recommendations to the governor, the legislature, and the president and board of the Michigan virtual university that will accelerate innovation in this state's education system in a manner that will prepare elementary and secondary students to be career and college ready and that will promote the goal of increasing the percentage of citizens of this state with high-quality degrees and credentials to at least 60% by 2025.

(9) As used in this section:

(a) "Blended learning" means a hybrid instructional delivery model where pupils are provided face-to-face instruction, in part at a supervised school facility away from home and in part through computer-based and internet-connected learning environments with some degree of pupil control over time, location, and pace of instruction.

(b) "Cyber school" means a full-time online instructional program for pupils that may or may not require attendance at a physical school location.

(c) "Online instructional program" means a course of study that generates a credit or a grade, provided in an interactive computer-based and internet-connected learning environment, in which pupils are separated from their teachers by time or location, or both, and in which a Michigan certificated teacher is responsible for providing direct instruction, diagnosing learning needs, assessing pupil learning, prescribing intervention strategies, reporting outcomes, and evaluating the effects of instruction and support strategies.