2009 Senate Bill 981 / Public Act 205

Authorize failing school “turnaround” procedures and more

Introduced in the Senate

Nov. 10, 2009

Introduced by Sen. Wayne Kuipers (R-30)

To establish a process by which failed public schools could be placed under the control of a “turnaround school chief educational officer,” who could reassign (but not fire) employees, suspend employee seniority systems and union work rules, and control curriculum and discretionary spending. Alternatively, management of a failing school could be contracted to a charter school management company.

Referred to the Committee on Education

Dec. 2, 2009

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that waters down the powers of the school turnaround officers, and also imposes new certification and/or advanced degree mandates on school superintendents and principals.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Liz Brater (D-18)

To require charter schools to report the number of special education students.

The amendment passed 20 to 16 (details)

Motion

To reconsider the vote by which the amendment offered by Senator Brater was adopted.

The motion passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Liz Brater (D-18)

To require charter schools to report the number of special education students.

The amendment passed 36 to 0 (details)

Passed in the Senate 28 to 8 (details)

To establish a process by which failed public schools could be placed under the control of a “turnaround school chief educational officer,” who could request renegotiation of union work rules and tenure provisions, but would not have the authority to invalidate provisions determined to be impediments to progress. Alternatively, management of a failing school could be contracted to a charter school management company.

Received in the House

Dec. 2, 2009

Referred to the Committee on Education

Dec. 10, 2009

Substitute offered by Rep. Tim Melton (D-29)

To adopt a version of the bill that includes various measures intended to make Michigan eligible for federal "Race to the Top" grants.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Melton (D-29)

To require that charter school manager selected to operate a failed high school may only be one whose existing charters see 80 percent of their students enroll in college. Also, to add other restrictions.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 78 to 28 (details)

To establish a process by which certain failed public schools could be converted into charter schools, but only if the charter manager meets very retrictive conditions the bill would impose, and only in 37 school districts where graduation rates are currently below 60 percent. The bill would also require school districts to adopt some form of merit pay; eliminate the current Algebra II high school graduation requirement; increase the compulsory school attendance age from 16 to 18; mandate the certification of school administrators; and more. Most (but not all) of these are measures intended to make Michigan eligible for federal "Race to the Top" grants.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 10, 2009

Failed in the Senate 1 to 31 (details)

To concur with a House-passed version of the bill. The vote sends the bill to a House-Senate conference committee to work out the differences.

Dec. 19, 2009

Received

To adopt a compromise version of the bill reported by a House-Senate conference committee. This would establish a process by not more than 10 failed public schools could be converted into charter schools, and existing charters that meet very high standards could be converted into "school of excellence" charters, freeing a regular charter slot under the existing cap. It is estimated that only around 30 new charters (including "schools of excellence" charters) would be authorized. The bill would also authorize the creation of two statewide "cyber-schools," require school districts to adopt some form of merit pay; essentially eliminate the current Algebra II high school graduation requirement; and mandate the certification of school administrators. It would also require school districts to adopt an unspecified merit pay system for teachers. Most (but not all) of these are measures intended to make Michigan eligible for federal "Race to the Top" grants.

Passed in the Senate 23 to 8 (details)

Motion

To give the bill immediate effect.

The motion passed 24 to 4 (details)

Received in the House

Dec. 19, 2009

To adopt a compromise version of the bill reported by a House-Senate conference committee. This would establish a process by not more than 10 failed public schools could be converted into charter schools, and existing charters that meet very high standards could be converted into "school of excellence" charters, freeing a regular charter slot under the existing cap. It is estimated that only around 30 new charters (including "schools of excellence" charters) would be authorized. The bill would also authorize the creation of two statewide "cyber-schools," require school districts to adopt some form of merit pay; essentially eliminate the current Algebra II high school graduation requirement; and mandate the certification of school administrators. It would also require school districts to adopt an unspecified merit pay system for teachers. Most (but not all) of these are measures intended to make Michigan eligible for federal "Race to the Top" grants.

Passed in the House 82 to 17 (details)

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Dec. 31, 2009