1. How should schools/districts determine what programs or interventions to implement using Section 31a funds?
  2. The purpose of Section 31a is to ensure that at-risk pupils are proficient in reading by the end of 3rd grade and career and college ready in high school. The legislation indicates thatLocal Educational Entities (LEAs) and schools should achieve these goals for at-risk students by providing instructional and non-instructional services consistent with the school improvement plans based on the comprehensive needs assessment (CNA). Although this is the intent of the legislation, most LEAs and schools developed their 2014-15 plans in the spring of last year prior to this legislation being approved as part of the state aid package.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will allow flexibility during 2014-15 to adjust the LEA and school-level improvement plans. We encourage LEA and school staff to thoughtfully review the needs of at-risk students as part of the CNA and make appropriate adjustments in the improvement plans during the course of the 2014-15 year. The planning tools are dynamic and adjustment may be made throughout the year. Plan carefully for high impact programs, activities and services that will accelerate reading proficiency and career and college readiness for at-risk students.

There is no application required for the Section 31a program. But at the end of each year there is a required report on Section 31a-funded activities. We will be revising this annual report and will communicate details when the report format is ready. We encourage LEAs and schools to evaluate the fidelity of implementation of Section 31a programs, activities and services and their impact on 3rd grade reading and career and college readiness using the program evaluation tool in coordination with the evaluation of other initiatives.

  1. The MDE recommends that LEAs and schools select evidence-based programs, activities and services for at-risk pupils that have the best and most direct impact on accelerating reading proficiency by the end of
    3rd grade and career and college readiness by 11th grade. These should be included in the LEA and school improvement plans after thoughtful planning and selection of programs, activities and services to benefit at-risk students.
  1. For accountability purpose, the Section 31a legislation requiresLEAs and schools to identify the Section 31a at-risk pupils based on the characteristics outlined in the law, and code these students as such in the Michigan Student Data System. The MDE is developing guidance for identifying at-risk students and will communicate this guidance as soon as it is available. LEAs and schools will be held accountable for ensuring reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade and career and college readiness by 11th grade.
  1. What are some examples of allowable, directinstructional uses of funds?

LEAs and schools may use Section 31a funds to support programs, activities and services that will ensure at-risk pupils are proficient in reading by the end of 3rd grade, and career and college ready by 11th grade. The following are only examples:

  • Instructional staff
  • Instructional materials, software, or equipment to implement instruction
  • Job-embedded, ongoing, research-based and need-based professional learning to improve the quality and fidelity of instruction
  • Development, enhancement and implementation of curriculum, formative or interim assessments and evidence-based instruction to improve student learning
  • Mentoring, coaching and collaboration among instructional staff to improve student learning
  • Programs and activities to engage students and parents more actively in instruction and improve learning outcomes
  • Implementation of high-quality credit recovery, extended day or year, early childhoodand similar programs appropriate for the school or LEA that will accelerate student learning

Note:The supplement, notsupplant provision of Section 31a has been deleted to give school staff increased flexibility to achieve reading proficiency at 3rdgrade, and college and career readiness in 11thgrade.

  1. What should guide LEAs/schools wishing to implement the schoolwide reform option?

LEAs and schoolsplanning to implement the schoolwide reform option are required to provide instructional or non-instructional services consistent with the LEA and school improvement plan in order to ensure that at-risk pupils are proficient in reading by the end of 3rd grade, and career and college ready by 11th grade.

Direct Non-Instructional Services

  1. When may direct non-instructional services be provided?

The direct non-instructional services supported withSection 31a funds may be conducted before, during or after regular school hours or by adding extra days to the school year/calendar. LEAs and schools will be held accountable for ensuring that at-risk pupils are proficient in reading by the end of 3rd grade, and career and college ready by 11th grade.

  1. What are examples of non-instructional services that may be included?

Funds under this Section may include, but are not limited to, the following types of services:

  • Medical, counseling or behavioral intervention programs/services can include counselors, nurses, social workers or staff with specialized training in behavioral intervention strategies
  • Community Medical Referrals
  • Dental Care
  • Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Education
  • Mental Health Services
  • Prenatal Care
  • Immunizations
  • Obesity interventions

Note: LEAs and schools are responsible for ensuring that all staff are qualified to provide services defined as part of their responsibilities.

  1. Are there other non-instructional services that may be included?

Yes. Activities and services to improve the culture and climate of the school, to address safety and security, to provide anti-bullying or crisis intervention programs, and other programs, activities and services may be supported with Section 31a funds. The ultimate purpose of such activities should ensure that at-risk pupils are proficient in reading by the end of 3rd grade, and career and college ready by 11th grade.

Unallowable Uses of Funds – Auditing, Reporting, and Accountability

  1. May Section 31a funds be used to pay for any central office or school-based administrative costs?

No. The law clearly states that administrative costs may not be paid out of Section 31a funds. The MDE considers expenditures that fall under Function Codes (FCs) 23x- General Administration, 24x- School Administration, 25x- Business Services, 28x- Central Services and 51x-Long Term Debt Services to be administrative in nature. See theMichigan Public School Accounting Manual for complete descriptions of those FCs.

  1. Should funds used have a specific focus?

Yes. LEAs and schools are accountable for ensuring that all at-risk pupils are proficient in reading by the end of 3rd grade and career and college ready by 11th grade. Select programs, activities and services carefully that will have the greatest impact on this purpose and implement these with fidelity to ensure impact on student achievement consistent with the purpose of Section 31a.

  1. May a district carry over Section 31a funds?

Unobligated funds have a limit of a one-year carryover period. If the funds are not expended and reported in the July 15 annual report, the funds are returned to the State's School Aid budget.

  1. Are LEAs subject to auditing and reporting requirements?

Yes. The MDE may monitor or audit the use of Section 31a funds at any time. The annual reporting requirement is still in place. The MDE will adjust the elements of the annual report during academic year 2014-15 and will notify LEAs of any changes as they become available.

Page 1 of 4