Sec. 99s.
(1) From the funds appropriated under section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $3,250,000.00 from the state school aid fund appropriation and an amount not to exceed $775,000.00 from the general fund appropriation for Michigan science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (MiSTEM) programs. In addition, from the federal funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount estimated at $5,249,300.00 from DED-OESE, title II, mathematics and science partnership grants.
(2) From the general fund allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 to the department for administrative and travel costs related to the MiSTEM advisory council. All of the following apply to the MiSTEM advisory council funded under this subsection:
(a) The MiSTEM advisory council is created. The MiSTEM advisory council shall provide to the governor, legislature, department of talent and economic development, and department recommendations designed to improve and promote innovation in STEM education and prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
(b) The MiSTEM advisory council created under subdivision (a) shall consist of the following members:
(i) The governor shall appoint 11 voting members who are representative of business sectors that are important to Michigan's economy and rely on a STEM-educated workforce, nonprofit organizations and associations that promote STEM education, K-12 and postsecondary education entities involved in STEM-related career education, or other sectors as considered appropriate by the governor. Each of these members shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and for a term determined by the governor.
(ii) The senate majority leader shall appoint 2 members of the senate to serve as nonvoting, ex-officio members of the MiSTEM advisory council, including 1 majority party member and 1 minority party member.
(iii) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint 2 members of the house of representatives to serve as nonvoting, ex-officio members of the MiSTEM advisory council, including 1 majority party member and 1 minority party member.
(c) Each member of the MiSTEM advisory council shall serve without compensation.
(d) The MiSTEM advisory council shall recommend a statewide strategy for delivering STEM education-related opportunities to pupils and objective criteria for determining preferred STEM programs. The MiSTEM advisory council also shall make funding recommendations to the governor, legislature, and department for funding programs under this section for 2016-2017 not later than March 1, 2016, including, but not limited to, recommendations concerning funding for the STEM programs funded under this section for 2015-2016, and shall continue to make funding recommendations annually thereafter.
(e) The MiSTEM advisory council shall work with directors of mathematics and science centers funded under subsection (3) to connect educators with businesses, workforce developers, economic developers, community colleges, and universities.
(3) From the state school aid fund allocation under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $2,750,000.00 to support the activities and programs of mathematics and science centers. In addition, from the federal funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount estimated at $5,249,300.00 from DED-OESE, title II, mathematics and science partnership grants, for the purposes of this subsection. All of the following apply to the programs and funding under this subsection:
(a) Within a service area designated locally, approved by the department, and consistent with the comprehensive master plan for mathematics and science centers developed by the department and approved by the state board, an established mathematics and science center shall provide 2 or more of the following 6 basic services, as described in the master plan, to constituent districts and communities: leadership, pupil services, curriculum support, community involvement, professional development, and resource clearinghouse services.
(b) The department shall not award a state grant under this subsection to more than 1 mathematics and science center located in a designated region as prescribed in the 2007 master plan unless each of the grants serves a distinct target population or provides a service that does not duplicate another program in the designated region.
(c) As part of the technical assistance process, the department shall provide minimum standard guidelines that may be used by the mathematics and science center for providing fair access for qualified pupils and professional staff as prescribed in this subsection.
(d) Allocations under this subsection to support the activities and programs of mathematics and science centers shall be continuing support grants to all 33 established mathematics and science centers. For 2015-2016, each established mathematics and science center that was funded for 2014-2015 under former section 99 shall receive state funding in an amount equal to 100% of the amount it was allocated under former section 99 for 2014-2015. If a center declines state funding or a center closes, the remaining money available under this subsection shall be distributed to the remaining centers, as determined by the department.
(e) From the funds allocated under this subsection, the department shall distribute for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $750,000.00 in a form and manner determined by the department to those centers able to provide curriculum and professional development support to assist districts in implementing the Michigan merit curriculum components for mathematics and science. Funding under this subdivision is in addition to funding allocated under subdivision (d).
(f) In order to receive state or federal funds under this subsection, a grant recipient shall allow access for the department or the department's designee to audit all records related to the program for which it receives those funds. The grant recipient shall reimburse the state for all disallowances found in the audit.
(g) Not later than September 30, 2018, the department shall reevaluate and update the comprehensive master plan described in subdivision (a).
(h) The department shall give preference in awarding the federal grants allocated under this subsection to eligible existing mathematics and science centers.
(i) In order to receive state funds under this subsection, a grant recipient shall provide at least a 10% local match from local public or private resources for the funds received under this subsection.
(j) Not later than July 1 of each year, a mathematics and science center that receives funds under this subsection shall report to the department in a form and manner prescribed by the department on the following performance measures:
(i) Statistical change in pre- and post-assessment scores for students who enrolled in mathematics and science activities provided to districts by the mathematics and science center.
(ii) Statistical change in pre- and post-assessment scores for teachers who enrolled in professional development activities provided by the mathematics and science center.
(k) As used in this subsection:
(i) "DED" means the United States Department of Education.
(ii) "DED-OESE" means the DED Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.
(4) From the general fund money allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 to the Michigan STEM partnership, to be used to administer the grant process under this subsection. From the general fund money allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2015-2016 an amount not to exceed $375,000.00 to the Michigan STEM partnership to be used for a competitive grant process to award competitive grants to organizations conducting student-focused, project-based programs and competitions, either in the classroom or extracurricular, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects such as, but not limited to, robotics, coding, and design-build-test projects, from pre-kindergarten through college level. All of the following apply to the grant funding under this subsection:
(a) Funding under this subsection is in addition to funding allocated under subsection (3) and shall be used for connecting mathematics and science centers for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics purposes and to support the goals of the Michigan STEM partnership.
(b) A program receiving funds under section 99h may not receive funds under this subsection.
(c) In order to receive state funds under this subsection, a grant recipient shall provide at least a 10% local match from local public or private resources for the funds received under this subsection.
(5) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 for 2015-2016 only for grants to districts to support professional development for teachers in a department-approved training program for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction. All of the following apply to the grant funding under this subsection:
(a) Any district may apply for funding under this subsection for 2015-2016 by a date determined by the department. In awarding grants, the department shall give priority, in a form and manner determined by the department, to applicant districts with teachers who have not previously received training in programs funded under this subsection or former section 99b.
(b) For a training program to be approved by the department for the purposes of this subsection, the program shall meet all of the following criteria:
(i) Utilize an integrative STEM approach to content organization and delivery. The integrative STEM approach shall include content derived from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
(ii) Offer evidence that the program outcomes address mathematics, science, and technological literacy standards in an exploratory middle school or high school offering.
(iii) Offer evidence that the program positively influences student career choices along STEM career paths and increases student engagement through peer-reviewed research.
(iv) Present evidence of the periodic updating of the curriculum.
(v) Utilize outcome measures for teacher professional development.
(vi) Provide peer-reviewed evidence that the program is effective with disadvantaged students and those with language barriers.
(c) The department shall award grants to districts in an amount determined by the department, but not to exceed $3,200.00 per participant.
(d) A district receiving funds under this subsection shall use the funds only for department-approved training programs under this subsection.
(6) From the allocations under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 for 2015-2016 only for competitive grants to districts that provide pupils in grades K to 12 with expanded opportunities in science education and skills by participating in events and competitions hosted by Science Olympiad. All of the following apply to the grant funding under this subsection:
(a) A district applying for a grant under this subsection shall submit an application in the form and manner determined by the department not later than November 15, 2015. The department shall select districts for grants and make notification not later than December 15, 2015. To be eligible for a grant, a district shall pay at least 25% of the cost of participating in the Science Olympiad program.
(b) The department shall distribute the grant funding allocated under this subsection for the following purposes:
(i) Grants to districts of up to $800.00 for new elementary teams.
(ii) Grants to districts of up to $400.00 for established elementary teams.
(iii) Grants to districts of up to $1,600.00 for new secondary teams.
(iv) Grants to districts of up to $800.00 for established secondary teams.
(7) From the general fund allocation under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 for 2015-2016 only for a grant to the Van Andel Education Institute for the purposes of advancing and promoting science education and increasing the number of students who choose to pursue careers in science or science-related fields. Funds allocated under this subsection shall be used to provide professional development for science teachers in using student-driven, inquiry-based instruction.
History: Add. 2015, Act 85, Eff. Oct. 1, 2015
Last modified: October 10, 2016