ALLOW SUSPENDED STUDENTS TO ENROLL

IN STRICT DISCIPLINE ACADEMIES

Senate Bill 69 as passed the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Patricia L. Birkholz

House Committee:  Education

Senate Committee:  Education

Complete to 3-22-05

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 69 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 2-17-05

The bill would amend the Revised School Code to include suspended students among those permitted to attend strict discipline academies.  

Currently, a strict discipline academy may only enroll students:

-- placed in the academy by a court or by the Family Independence Agency or a county juvenile facility under the direction of a court.

-- expelled under Section 1311(2) (for possession of a dangerous weapon, arson, or criminal sexual conduct).

-- expelled under Section 1311a (for assault against a school employee or a bomb threat), or under another provision of the law.

-- expelled for other reasons and referred to the academy by a student's school and placed in the academy by the student's parent or legal guardian.

Senate Bill 69 would add to this list suspended students who had been referred to an academy by the school and placed there by the student's parent or guardian.

Under the code, special education students who do not meet the preceding criteria may enroll in a strict discipline academy if the "individualized educational planning committee" recommends the placement. The bill would refer instead to a student's "individualized education program team," as defined in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  (The current term embraces an individualized educational program team as defined in federal law but also refers to planning committees as defined in state rules.

MCL 380.1311g

FISCAL IMPACT:

This bill would have no fiscal impact to the state.  There may be minimal fiscal impact to a local school district.  The transfer of a suspended student to a strict discipline academy could result in a loss of a portion of the foundation allowance to the school district.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Mary Ann Cleary

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.