ENROLLMENT PRIORITY FOR LOW-INCOME

STUDENTS AT CHARTER SCHOOLS

House Bill 4327 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Stephanie Chang

Committee:  Education Reform

Complete to 4-19-17

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4327 would amend three sections of the Revised School Code to provide a geographic preference for low-income students at public school academies (PSA), urban high school academies, and schools of excellence.  These schools are described later.

Currently and under the bill, these three types of public schools academies—or charter schools—may not discriminate on any basis that would be illegal if used by a school district.  If there are more applications than there are spaces available at the school, students will be selected to enroll using a random selection process. (Existing students at the school are automatically retained). 

However, the Code lists criteria under which the schools may give enrollment priority: when a sibling is already enrolled at the school, or when a parent is employed by, at, or on the board of directors at the school.  (PSAs and schools of excellence also give priority to students who transfer to those schools from other public schools under a matriculation agreement between the schools, so long as certain other requirements are met.)

The bill would add another enrollment priority for the three types of schools for a student who lives within the geographic boundaries listed in the school's contract, and who meets the income eligibility criteria for free- or reduced-price breakfast, lunch, or milk.  This preference would apply as long as at least 50% of students in the geographic boundaries also meet the income eligibility criteria and the school's board of directors has adopted a resolution determining that the preference is needed to serve low-income and at-risk students in the area.      

·         School of Excellence (as defined by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE))[1]: a charter school entity authorized under MCL 380.551 -380.561, commonly referred to as Part 6E of the Revised School Code. Schools of Excellence are established as either (1) a replication of a high performing school, (2) a cyber school, or (3) a conversion of a 6A PSA based on criteria that define superior academic performance.

·         Urban High School Academy: a charter school authorized under MCL 380.521 – 380.529, commonly referenced as Part 6C of the Revised School Code. These schools can only be authorized by state public universities.

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

MCL 380.504, 380.524, and 380.556

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact for the state or for local school districts, intermediate school districts (ISDs), or public school academies (PSAs). 

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney    

                                                                                               Fiscal Analysts:   Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Samuel Christensen

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

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