Education Issues

Education/K-12/Higher Education

Michigan Constitutional Issues ... Education
Report 313-7( September 94 ) 4 pages

Examines provisions of Article 8 that a constitution convention might consider: aid to nonpublic schools; governance of K-12 and higher education; and the relationship between state board of education, the state superintendent and the governor.

Organization of State of Michigan Education Functions,
Report 335, ( January 2003 ) 39 pages

Several functions previously housed in the Department of Education were transferred out of the Department in the 1990s. Some of these functions, such as Disability Determination Services, have little discernible relationship to educational policy and have found more appropriate organizational locations. Others, such as the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP), have a direct relationship to educational policy but were transferred to departments whose basic missions do not include education.

The Michigan Constitution prevents a clear line of accountability between the Governor and the Department of Education because the head of the department, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, is appointed by the separately-elected State Board of Education.

The approach adopted was to recommend placement of activities related to preschool and elementary-education policy in the Department of Education and to recommend creation of an Office of Standards, Assessment, and Accreditation Services to carry out an enhanced quality assurance and oversight function.

The principal organizational changes that would occur under the proposed structure would be transfer of Career and Technical Preparation and Adult Education from the present Department of Career Development to the Department of Education and transfer of MEAP from the Department of Treasury and the Center for Educational Performance and Information from the Department of Management and Budget to the Department of Education. Other changes were proposed as well.

School District Organization & Reorganization

Proposal E: Form of Governance for the Detroit Public Schools
Memo 1077 ( September 2004 ) 4 pages

CRC has released its analysis of Proposal E on the City of Detroit November 2 ballot. With expriration of the school reform board one year away, Proposal E allows voters to choose a new method of school board governance. CRC's analysis details a history of the relationship between the Detroit Public Schools and the City of Detroit, looks at other major U.S. cities in similar states of reform, and considers how the two options before the voters will result in changes in accountability, local control, and school improvement.

Report 326, A Bird's Eye View of Michigan Local Government at the End of the Twentieth Century, A primer on the structure, powers, and finances of Michigan local government written for a Symposium on the Future of Local Government in Michigan, hosted by the Michigan Municipal League on June 23-25, 1999. ( August 99 ) 38 pages

Report 298, School District Organization in Michigan This paper provides background information useful for a serious discussion of school district reorganization by public officials and interested citizens. First, the paper provides an historical perspective of school district organization by tracing the evolution of school districts beginning with the period Michigan was a territory. It also describes the existing statutory methods for altering school district boundaries. Finally, the paper describes the shift in pupil membership to the smaller membership districts over the period 1970-1990, a period during which the total state membership declined in excess of 525,000 pupils. --- See also CC #995 --- ( November 90 ) 19 pages

CC 995, School District Organization in Michigan --- Summarizes Report #298 --- ( December 90 ) 4 pages

Report 297, History of Relationship Between the Detroit Board of Education and the City of Detroit This paper describes the legal relationship between the Detroit public school system and the city government, and places that relationship in the context of the historical development of the Detroit Public School System. Sources used for this report include various reports of the City of Detroit Public Schools dating back to the mid-nineteenth century, City of Detroit reports, state statutes, and several accounts written by early Detroit educators and historians. ( July 90 ) 16 pages

Memo, Township, School District and Special District Government in Michigan, Monograph on the origins and issues surrounding the organization and implementation of these three levels of government. ( December 61 ) 13 pages

A Survey of Selected Operations of the Lansing School District

School Districts: How Many Are Needed?
CC 641 ( May 55 ) 2 pages

Investigates the need for consolidation of school districts.

School Organization - Detroit Metropolitan Area
Report to the Commission of Inquiry ( February 34 ) 20 pages

Considers the educational and financial aspects of a proposal to consolidate the school districts of Wayne County into a single organic unit. In 1934, there were 101 mutually independent school districts in the county, each under the control of a board of education responsible to the people of the district. Organization of a county unit presumably would involve consolidation of the districts of the county and the creation of a single small county board of education, responsible to the people of the county. The numerous local districts would be abolished and the several existing boards of education would cease to exist. the responsibility for the administration and supervision of the county district would be delegated by the county board of educaiton to a superintendent of schools who would be the chief executive of the public schools of the county.

Rural School Organization
Special Bulletin 229, ( January 33 ) 49 pages

At a time when all governmental expenditures are being critically scrutinized by the public and by legislative bodies, with the purpose of effecting economies and reductions, public school expenditures come prominently to view because no other governmental function of the State requires so large an outlay of funds as does the public school system. Along with other governmental costs, public school expenditures in the State have increased rapidly in the past few decades until in 1930 the annual outlay for this service amounted to approximately 135 million dollars.

The one-room school districts are most frequently cited as proof that some organizational change in the public school system is desirable. Of the 6,775 school districts in the State, approximately 5,138 are one-room school districts. In the year 1930-31, 549 of these schools operated with an average daily attendance of 10 or less, and an average operating cost per pupil of $13.95 per month. At the other extreme, there were 220 one-room schools with an average daily attendance above 40, having an operating cost per pupil of $3.96 per month. It thus appears that these extremes point to an inefficient use and distribution of school facilities.

The Michigan Legislature of 1929, created a state educational survey commission to inquire into these problems. This commission, because of the limited amount of funds at its disposal, centered its attention on the problem of equalizing the school taxes and recommended a plan for this purpose to the legislature. In its report, however, the commission had the following to say regarding the present district organization.

"The two largest items in the cost of a one-room school are the teacher’s salary and the building. A county board of education by rearranging thy districts could reduce the number of buildings necessary and cut down the number of teachers required. The larger classes resulting would be advantageous to the pupils and would permit better supervision."

"The beginning of a county system of education should be set up at once. This should be accompanied by a continuance of the present study of school finances, together with a study of county school district organization of administration."

The recommendation of this commission with respect to continuing the study of school finances, together with a study of school district government, was acted upon by the legislature of 1931 by including "School District Government" when it created the "State Commission of Inquiry into County, Township, and School District Government." This study and report has been prepared in cooperation with this last named commission.

School Organization - Decentralization (Detroit)

CC 925, Detroit Ballot Issue -- Should Decentralization of the Detroit School District be Continued? ( August 81 ) 2 pages

State Education Department Supervision

Organization of State of Michigan Education Functions,
Memo 1070, ( January 2003 ) 4 pages

-- Summary of Report 335 --

Organization of State of Michigan Education Functions,
Report 335, ( January 2003 ) 41 pages

Several functions previously housed in the Department of Education were transferred out of the Department in the 1990s. Some of these functions, such as Disability Determination Services, have little discernible relationship to educational policy and have found more appropriate organizational locations. Others, such as the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP), have a direct relationship to educational policy but were transferred to departments whose basic missions do not include education.

The Michigan Constitution prevents a clear line of accountability between the Governor and the Department of Education because the head of the department, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, is appointed by the separately-elected State Board of Education.

The approach adopted was to recommend placement of activities related to preschool and elementary-education policy in the Department of Education and to recommend creation of an Office of Standards, Assessment, and Accreditation Services to carry out an enhanced quality assurance and oversight function.

The principal organizational changes that would occur under the proposed structure would be transfer of Career and Technical Preparation and Adult Education from the present Department of Career Development to the Department of Education and transfer of MEAP from the Department of Treasury and the Center for Educational Performance and Information from the Department of Management and Budget to the Department of Education. Other changes were proposed as well.

Intermediate School Districts

CC 976, Detroit and Wayne County Intermediate School Districts Ballot Issues ( October 88 ) 8 pages

Schools - Management; Business Practices, Budgeting

School Finance - Public Support

Proposal 2006-05: Educational Funding Guarantee Law
Report 344 ( September 2006 ) 32 pages

The Citizens Research Council has released its analysis of Proposal 2006-05, the Educational Funding Guarantee Law, a statutory initiative that Michigan voters will be presented with at the November 7, 2006, general election. The proposal would amend the State School Aid Act to guarantee a minimum amount of state funding for K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities in Fiscal Year 2007 (FY07). For all years after fiscal year 2007, the proposal would guarantee funding increases equal to the annual change in inflation.

In addition to the state funding guarantees, Proposal 2006-05 would cap the amount of retirement contributions to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) made by K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities, and require the State of Michigan to make up the difference between the capped employer's contribution and the actual retirement contribution required by the system.

The proposal also contains a declining enrollment provision for K-12 school districts that are experiencing falling student membership. The provision allows the use of a three-year average to determine current-year membership. Finally, the proposed law would require the gap between the basic per pupil foundation allowance and the maximum state-guaranteed per pupil foundation allowance to be reduced from $1,300 to $1,000 by fiscal year 2012.

Proposal 2006-05: Educational Funding Guarantee Law
Memo 1083 ( September 2006 ) 7 pages

Summarizes the analysis of the initiated law to guarantee minimum state funding of education in CRC Report #344

Prospects for School Aid in the Economic Recovery,
State Budget Notes 2002-03 (March 2002 ) 4 pages

Discusses the prospects for state school aid, the largest category in teh state budget, for the next 5 years and presents a scenario to finish the process of managing through the current budget problem.

How Local Economic Development Programs Affect School Funding,
Note 2001-01, ( January 2001 )

Proposal A of 1994 changed the dynamics of school finance. In doing so, reliance on property taxes for school funding was reduced and the impact that economic development programs have on school funding was nearly eliminated. This paper describes how those economic development programs and school funding interact.

Memo, State School Aid Systems An interstate comparison of the different ways state and local governments interact and share responsibilities for funding schools. ( August 92 ) 6 pages [16 KB]

CC 998, Higher Education Financing: How Michigan Compares with Other States ( June 91 ) 4 pages [38,726 bytes]

A comparison of public higher education financing in Michigan with the 14 other most populous states (over 5 million population) and the U.S. average shows that:

1. Enrollment in Michigan public education institutions is relatively high.
2. State-local appropriations per student in Michigan are relatively low.
3. Average tuition per student in Michigan is significantly higher than in most other states and the U.S. average.
4. Total appropriations and tuition per student in Michigan are above average.
5. While the combined total appropriations and tuition per student has doubled since 1980, the total is up only 11 percent in constant dollars.

CC 994, Arguments Used by Plaintiffs and Defendants in School Finance Litigation (by John G. Augenblick) Discussion of the courts and the litigation process in school finance. ( October 90 ) 6 pages

CC 987, Total Financial Support for K-12 Education (1974-1978), Reviews the total revenue position of Michigan school districts during the 15-year period 1973-74 to 1987-88. ( February 90 ) 6 pages

CC 986, School-Finance Reform in Michigan: Will Judicial Intervention be Next? Examined the likelihood that the courts would be called upon to remedy per pupil funding disparities in the state's elementary-secondary education system. ( January 90 ) 6 pages

Report 296, School Finance Constitutional Amendment Proposals --- See also CC #984 --- ( October 89 ) 12 pages

School Finance Constitutional Amendment Proposals,
CC 984, ( October 89 ) 4 pages [50KB]

The legislature placed two school fiance reform proposals on the November, 1989 ballot. Proposal A: One-half percent increase in the Sales and Use Taxes with all revenues dedicated to schools; & Proposal B: Proposed to increase the Sales and Use Tax rates to 6%, create different levies for business and non-business properties, and equalize local school operating taxes. Proposal B required amending the State Constitution. (Both were defeated.)

School Finance Reform,
Memo, ( October 87 ) 3 pages

In February 1987 the Michigan State Board of Education appointed a 42-member Michigan School Finance Commission to make recommendations concerning school finance reform. This paper highlights the recommendations of the commission.

School Finance - State Aid

How Local Economic Development Programs Affect School Funding,
Note 2001-01, ( January 2001 )

Proposal A of 1994 changed the dynamics of school finance. In doing so, reliance on property taxes for school funding was reduced and the impact that economic development programs have on school funding was nearly eliminated. This paper describes how those economic development programs and school funding interact.

Memo 1048, The Durant Decision, On July 31, 1997, the Michigan Supreme Court held that special education programs are a State mandate and that the State had failed to fund such programs at the level required by the State Constitution. A financial settlement has been structured covering both the plaintiffs and other school districts similarly affected by the State's actions. Correcting the underfunding of special education programs is not the only Headlee Amendment issue which should concern the Governor and Legislature. An effort should be undertaken to identify and catalogue existing mandates imposed upon units of local government by the State, and to identify new mandates as they are adopted. In addition, the Legislature should invigorate the local government claims review board which it established in 1979. Finally, the Legislature needs to adopt amendments to its joint rules to establish a process to identify potential mandates, as required by the Headlee Amendment implementation legislation. ( January 98 ) 7 pages [75KB]

CC 998, Higher Education Financing: How Michigan Compares with Other States ( June 91 ) 4 pages [38,726 bytes]

A comparison of public higher education financing in Michigan with the 14 other most populous states (over 5 million population) and the U.S. average shows that:

1. Enrollment in Michigan public education institutions is relatively high.
2. State-local appropriations per student in Michigan are relatively low.
3. Average tuition per student in Michigan is significantly higher than in most other states and the U.S. average.
4. Total appropriations and tuition per student in Michigan are above average.
5. While the combined total appropriations and tuition per student has doubled since 1980, the total is up only 11 percent in constant dollars.

Memo, School Finance Reform ( October 87 ) 3 pages

Educational Vouchers

Statewide Ballot Issues: Proposal 00-1 - School Choice
Memo 1055, (October 2000 ) 4 pages

Summary of Report 331

Statewide Ballot Issues: Proposal 00-1 - School Choice
Report 331, ( September 2000 ) 20 pages

A detailed CRC analysis of Proposal 00-1 (school choice) on the November statewide ballot. The analysis contains background on public aid to nonpublic schools in Michigan, a description of the proposal, a consideration of its potential financial impact, a review of U. S. Supreme Court decisions regarding public aid to sectarian nonpublic schools, an analysis of the "4-year graduation rate," descriptions of voucher plans in other states, and data regarding nonpublic schools in Michigan.

CC 833, State Ballot Issues: Proposal C -- Prohibit Use of Public Money for Support of Non-Public Schools ( October 70 ) 4 pages

School Finance - Federal Aid

CC 987, Total Financial Support for K-12 Education (1974-1978), Reviews the total revenue position of Michigan school districts during the 15-year period 1973-74 to 1987-88. ( February 90 ) 6 pages

Public School Academies (Charter Schools)

Memo 1043, Public School Academies (Charter Schools) In Michigan, Examined how elementary-secondary education might be improved by charter schools, accountability issues, and the need to collect sufficient data to measure charter school performance. ( July 96 ) 8 pages [56,029 bytes]

CC 1037, Questions and Answers Relating to Public School Academies (Charter Schools) in Michigan, Describes what charter schools are, how they are established and governed, and why the Legislature authorized them. ( October 95 ) 6 pages [25,287 bytes]

School Organization & Finance

Report 326, A Bird's Eye View of Michigan Local Government at the End of the Twentieth Century, A primer on the structure, powers, and finances of Michigan local government written for a Symposium on the Future of Local Government in Michigan, hosted by the Michigan Municipal League on June 23-25, 1999. ( August 99 ) 38 pages [413KB]

CC 1003, School District Tax Base Sharing in Michigan ( March 92 ) 8 pages [42,929 bytes]

Memo, Tax Base Sharing for Local School Districts ( June 91 ) 3 pages

CC 991, Wayne County Ballot Issues Description of the issues surrounding millage requests for one mill for Wayne County Community College and one mill for general county operations. ( July 90 ) 4 pages

School Finance Reform in Michigan,
CC 982, ( June 89 ) 4 pages [51KB]

Analyzes several factors that have made K-12 school finance reform difficult to achieve. --- Summarizes Report #293 ---

School Finance Reform in Michigan,
Report 293, ( May 89 ) 17 pages

School finance reform has two major focuses: one relating to providing equal eduation opportunity, which usually results in an effort to reduce the per pupil expenditure disparity between school districts; and the second to reduce reliance on the property tax as the principal revenue source to support elementary and secondary education. This paper discusses recent efforts to address those focuses.

School Organization & Finance -- Detroit

CC 1032, Detroit School District $1.5 Billion Bond Proposition, Proposition asking approval to issue unlimited tax general obligation bonds to finance a comprehensive capital improvement program ( October 94 ) 4 pages [27,204 bytes]

Memo, Detroit School Operating Millage Renewal Proposal Should all 32.25 mills of the extra-voted millage be renewed on September 14, 1993 in light of the tax burden of the city, the condition of the school system, and the pending signing by the governor of Senate Bill 1 (Public Act 145 of 1993) ( August 93 ) 4 pages [12 KB]

Misc., Detroit School District Request for Renewal of Three Mills for Operations ( October 92 ) 2 pages [5 KB]

Memo, Detroit School District Request for Renewal of 3.5 Mills for Operations ( May 90 ) 2 pages

CC 998, Higher Education Financing: How Michigan Compares with Other States ( June 91 ) 4 pages [38,726 bytes]

A comparison of public higher education financing in Michigan with the 14 other most populous states (over 5 million population) and the U.S. average shows that:

1. Enrollment in Michigan public education institutions is relatively high.
2. State-local appropriations per student in Michigan are relatively low.
3. Average tuition per student in Michigan is significantly higher than in most other states and the U.S. average.
4. Total appropriations and tuition per student in Michigan are above average.
5. While the combined total appropriations and tuition per student has doubled since 1980, the total is up only 11 percent in constant dollars.

Report 297, History of Relationship Between the Detroit Board of Education and the City of Detroit This paper describes the legal relationship between the Detroit public school system and the city government, and places that relationship in the context of the historical development of the Detroit Public School System. Sources used for this report include various reports of the City of Detroit Public Schools dating back to the mid-nineteenth century, City of Detroit reports, state statutes, and several accounts written by early Detroit educators and historians. ( July 90 ) 16 pages [60KB]

Detroit School Ballot Issues,
CC 983, ( August 89 ) 6 pages [66KB]

Proposition 1 -- Proposed $160 million Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds; Proposition 2 -- Five Mill Increase in Extra-Voted Property Tax for 5-Year Period

Detroit and Wayne County Intermediate School Districts Ballot Issues,
CC 976, ( October 88 ) 8 pages [78KB]

On November 8, 1988, Detroit voters were asked in three separate ballot questions to renew four extra-voted mills of property tax for school operations, to add another six mills for operations, and to authorize the issuance of up to $160 million of unlimited tax, deficit financing bonds. In addition, the Wayne County Intermediate School District was again requesting approval of a one mill increase to fund special education programs.

Misc., Detroit School Ballot Issue To Renew 7.5 Mills For Operation ( March 84 ) 3 pages

CC 925, Detroit Ballot Issue -- Should Decentralization of the Detroit School District be Continued? ( August 81 ) 2 pages

CC 920, Ballot Issues: Wayne County: Proposition J -- A Separate and Fixed Tax Limit of 18 mills; Propositions K, L, & M--Extra-Voted Millage; Detroit: Proposal Y -- 3.5 Mills Extra-Voted for the Detroit Schools ( October 80 ) 5 pages

K-12 School Finance Issues

Adequacy, Equity and Capital Spending in Michigan Schools: The Unfinished Business of Proposal A
Misc. ( May 2005 ) 74 pages

       Full Document
       Summary
       Text Only
       Appendices Only

The report, which was prepared in collaboration with the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University, concludes that unmet need for capital construction in local school districts totals approximately $8.7 billion and that it is weighted toward school districts with the lowest property tax wealth. It puts forth a series of alternatives that might be adopted to bring greater equity to the financing of school construction in Michigan.

Memo 1048, The Durant Decision, On July 31, 1997, the Michigan Supreme Court held that special education programs are a State mandate and that the State had failed to fund such programs at the level required by the State Constitution. A financial settlement has been structured covering both the plaintiffs and other school districts similarly affected by the State's actions. Correcting the underfunding of special education programs is not the only Headlee Amendment issue which should concern the Governor and Legislature. An effort should be undertaken to identify and catalogue existing mandates imposed upon units of local government by the State, and to identify new mandates as they are adopted. In addition, the Legislature should invigorate the local government claims review board which it established in 1979. Finally, the Legislature needs to adopt amendments to its joint rules to establish a process to identify potential mandates, as required by the Headlee Amendment implementation legislation. ( January 98 ) 7 pages [75,136 bytes]

CC 1017, Statewide Ballot Proposal: Proposal A -- Local Property And School Finance Reform, Analyzed a property tax-school finance proposal which was on the statewide ballot at the June 1993 special election. ( May 93 ) 6 pages [42,318 bytes]

Misc., Detroit School District Request for Renewal of Three Mills for Operations ( October 92 ) 2 pages

CC 1012, State Ballot Proposals A and C -- Proposed Property Tax Amendments, (A: Legislative & C: Initiative) ( September 92 ) 6 pages [42,878 bytes]

Report 312, Analysis of Statewide Ballot Proposal A: Elementary-Secondary School Finance, Would amend the Michigan Constitution to permit school operating taxes to be imposed on a nonumiform basis; limit the growth in assessments on individual parcels of property; increase the sales tax rate to six percent; require that the state guarantee school district operating revenue per pupil; and require a 3/4 vote to increase school operating taxes. Also describes statutory changes that would become effective with passage or alternatives that would become effective with defeat ( February 94 ) 26 pages [2,189,771 bytes]

CC 1024, Statewide Ballot Proposal A: Elementary-Secondary School Finance, --- Summarizes Report #312 --- ( February 94 ) 6 pages [19,278 bytes]

CC 1022, A Summary of the Governor's Plan To Reform Public Elementary And Secondary Education In Michigan, Plan of changes proposed by Governor Engler in response to the passage of Public Act 145 of 1993 exempting property from school operating taxes. Changes included Constitutional changes, school program reform, school aid fund allocation changes, and revenue changes ( November 93 ) 4 pages [34,506 bytes]

CC 1019, Questions And Answers Relating To the Exemption of Property From School Operating Taxes, Provides answers to nine basic questions regarding Public Act 145 of 1993, which exempted all property from general ad valorem taxation for school operating purposes. ( September 93 ) 4 pages [36,680 bytes]

CC 994, Arguments Used by Plaintiffs and Defendants in School Finance Litigation (by John G. Augenblick) ( October 90 ) 6 pages

CC 955, The Financing of Adult Education in Michigan --- See also Misc. Report --- ( June 85 ) 6 pages

Misc., The Financing of Adult Education in Michigan ( May 85 ) 24 pages

School Aid Fund Budget Outlook

CC 1028, Proposal A: Questions Regarding School Property Taxes, Provided answers to nine basic questions regarding Proposal A of 1994, the property tax-school finance proposal. ( June 94 ) 4 pages [12,932 bytes]

Misc., Categorical Recapture in the State School Aid Act ( December 90 ) 2 pages

Memo, Issues Relative to the Initiative Petition to Reduce Property Assessment Ratios Examined the statutory initiative process; the meaning of the term "session days" and other related issues. ( September 90 ) 5 pages

Teacher's Unions (Public Employee Unions, Strikes, Bargaining)

Teacher & Other School Employee Salaries

Financing Michigan Retired Teacher Pension and Health Care Benefits,
Report 337 ( September 2004 ) 17 pages

This report analyzes recent changes in investment experience and retiree health care costs for the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS). In addition, it provides projections of the contribution rates for the pension and health benefit portions of the system. If the actuarial assumptions beyond FY2003 prove accurate, the contribution rate paid by the employers will jump significantly from the 14.87 percent charged by the State for FY2005 to over 20 percent in FY2008. The sharp increase is the combined result of escalating health care costs paid on a pay-as-you-go basis; the very large losses experienced in the stock market in 2001 and 2002; and the postponement of contribution rate increases made possible by the use of reserves, soon to be exhausted.

The effects of escalating pension costs on public school finance will be dramatic. In FY2005, the increase in MPSERS contributions will average approximately $90 per pupil, an amount greater than the entire per pupil increase in school aid support. In the following three fiscal years, the average per pupil increase in MPSERS contributions will exceed $100 each year. In FY2008, the per pupil costs of MPSERS contributions will average about $1,200.

In a year of moderate economic growth, the increase in school aid revenues on a per pupil basis would likely average no more than $300. Combining increased costs for MPSERS contributions and health benefits for working employees leaves little room for increased spending elsewhere in school budgets, even if the economy improves throughout the period.

Note 96-03, Public School Teacher Pay Relative To Personal Income In Michigan, ( August 96 ) 2 pages [30,294 bytes]

Teacher Tenure & Supply; Evaluation

Teacher Retirement & Fringe Benefits

Proposal 2006-05: Educational Funding Guarantee Law
Report 344 ( September 2006 ) 32 pages

The Citizens Research Council has released its analysis of Proposal 2006-05, the Educational Funding Guarantee Law, a statutory initiative that Michigan voters will be presented with at the November 7, 2006, general election. The proposal would amend the State School Aid Act to guarantee a minimum amount of state funding for K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities in Fiscal Year 2007 (FY07). For all years after fiscal year 2007, the proposal would guarantee funding increases equal to the annual change in inflation.

In addition to the state funding guarantees, Proposal 2006-05 would cap the amount of retirement contributions to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) made by K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities, and require the State of Michigan to make up the difference between the capped employer's contribution and the actual retirement contribution required by the system.

The proposal also contains a declining enrollment provision for K-12 school districts that are experiencing falling student membership. The provision allows the use of a three-year average to determine current-year membership. Finally, the proposed law would require the gap between the basic per pupil foundation allowance and the maximum state-guaranteed per pupil foundation allowance to be reduced from $1,300 to $1,000 by fiscal year 2012.

Proposal 2006-05: Educational Funding Guarantee Law
Memo 1083 ( September 2006 ) 7 pages

Summarizes the analysis of the initiated law to guarantee minimum state funding of education in CRC Report #344

Financing Michigan Retired Teacher Pension and Health Care Benefits,
Report 337 ( September 2004 ) 17 pages

This report analyzes recent changes in investment experience and retiree health care costs for the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS). In addition, it provides projections of the contribution rates for the pension and health benefit portions of the system. If the actuarial assumptions beyond FY2003 prove accurate, the contribution rate paid by the employers will jump significantly from the 14.87 percent charged by the State for FY2005 to over 20 percent in FY2008. The sharp increase is the combined result of escalating health care costs paid on a pay-as-you-go basis; the very large losses experienced in the stock market in 2001 and 2002; and the postponement of contribution rate increases made possible by the use of reserves, soon to be exhausted.

The effects of escalating pension costs on public school finance will be dramatic. In FY2005, the increase in MPSERS contributions average approximately $90 per pupil, an amount greater than the entire per pupil increase in school aid support. In the following three fiscal years, the average per pupil increase in MPSERS contributions will exceed $100 each year. In FY2008, the per pupil costs of MPSERS contributions will average about $1,200.

In a year of moderate economic growth, the increase in school aid revenues on a per pupil basis would likely average no more than $300. Combining increased costs for MPSERS contributions and health benefits for working employees leaves little room for increased spending elsewhere in school budgets, even if the economy improves throughout the period.

School Enrollment; Attendance (including student behavior & conduct codes)

School Year; Year Round; Terms

School Transportation (including bussing, desegregation)

School Health, Special Education

School - Methods, procedures, Improvement & Equal Education (including class size) Opportunity

Teacher Training

School Evaluation; Student Testing & Assessment

Evaluating the Educational Outcomes of Your Local Schools
Report 282, ( July 86 ) 33 pages

This manual is organized into 9 chapters, each dealing with a specific aspect of evalu-ating education by looking at the outcomes. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 deal with who is re-sponsible for student learning and how to pursue an outcomes approach without get-ting sidetracked. Chapter 5 describes the democratic processes through which citizens hold their schools accountable for educational progress. Chapter 6 suggests that parents and other citizens should insist that their local schools define local edu-cational objectives and provide the public with information about progress toward achieving those objectives. Chapters 7 and 8 provide information about what kinds of measures of student performance are available and how to make use of student test-ing. The final chapter sets forth some characteristics that effective schools are known to possess. Each chapter is followed by exercises to accustom users to the educational outcomes approach.

School Buildings

K-12 School Finance Issues

Adequacy, Equity and Capital Spending in Michigan Schools: The Unfinished Business of Proposal A
Misc. ( May 2005 ) 74 pages

       Full Document
       Summary
       Text Only
       Appendices Only

The report, which was prepared in collaboration with the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University, concludes that unmet need for capital construction in local school districts totals approximately $8.7 billion and that it is weighted toward school districts with the lowest property tax wealth. It puts forth a series of alternatives that might be adopted to bring greater equity to the financing of school construction in Michigan.

Colleges & University Organization; Program

State-Wide Spring Election Ballot Issues
CC 697, ( March 59 ) 2 pages

Constitutional Amendments
I. Continuity Of State & Local Government In Emergencies;
II. State Board Of Agriculture To Be Board Of Trustees;
III. Board Of Governors Of Wayne State University

Colleges & University Finance & Management

Proposal 2006-05: Educational Funding Guarantee Law
Report 344 ( September 2006 ) 32 pages

The Citizens Research Council has released its analysis of Proposal 2006-05, the Educational Funding Guarantee Law, a statutory initiative that Michigan voters will be presented with at the November 7, 2006, general election. The proposal would amend the State School Aid Act to guarantee a minimum amount of state funding for K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities in Fiscal Year 2007 (FY07). For all years after fiscal year 2007, the proposal would guarantee funding increases equal to the annual change in inflation.

In addition to the state funding guarantees, Proposal 2006-05 would cap the amount of retirement contributions to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) made by K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities, and require the State of Michigan to make up the difference between the capped employer's contribution and the actual retirement contribution required by the system.

The proposal also contains a declining enrollment provision for K-12 school districts that are experiencing falling student membership. The provision allows the use of a three-year average to determine current-year membership. Finally, the proposed law would require the gap between the basic per pupil foundation allowance and the maximum state-guaranteed per pupil foundation allowance to be reduced from $1,300 to $1,000 by fiscal year 2012.

Proposal 2006-05: Educational Funding Guarantee Law
Memo 1083 ( September 2006 ) 7 pages

Summarizes the analysis of the initiated law to guarantee minimum state funding of education in CRC Report #344

CC 998, Higher Education Financing: How Michigan Compares with Other States ( June 91 ) 4 pages [38,726 bytes]

A comparison of public higher education financing in Michigan with the 14 other most populous states (over 5 million population) and the U.S. average shows that:

1. Enrollment in Michigan public education institutions is relatively high.
2. State-local appropriations per student in Michigan are relatively low.
3. Average tuition per student in Michigan is significantly higher than in most other states and the U.S. average.
4. Total appropriations and tuition per student in Michigan are above average.
5. While the combined total appropriations and tuition per student has doubled since 1980, the total is up only 11 percent in constant dollars.

State-Wide Spring Election Ballot Issues
CC 697, ( March 59 ) 2 pages

Constitutional Amendments
I. Continuity Of State & Local Government In Emergencies;
II. State Board Of Agriculture To Be Board Of Trustees;
III. Board Of Governors Of Wayne State University

Colleges & University Finance - Federal Aid