Michigan’s school of choice program provides parents the opportunity to move their child from one school to another within the boundaries of the school district, or allow non-resident students to enroll in another district. Each local school district decides whether or not it will participate in schools of choice. Contact the school directly for your local policy and timelines.
The MDE School of Choice web page references these two portions of the law:
- School of Choice Section 105/c
- school of choice when schools within the same ISD/RESA Section 105 of the State School Aid Act
- school of choice when schools are in different ISD/RESA Section 105c of the State School Aid Act
What about students with IEPs?
This information is from the MDE document “School of Choice Definitions”
If a student is eligible for special education programs and services, or is a child with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, develop and implement an individualized education plan for that student.
A district may not refuse enrollment to a student eligible for special education programs and services, unless the application is under Section 105c and there is no written agreement with the district of residence. Special education programs and services are not considered “special programs” under Section 105 or 105c.
Note: If the student resides in a contiguous intermediate school district and is enrolled under Section 105c, the enrolling district and district of residence must have a written agreement regarding the payment of added costs of special education programs and services. It is recommended that written agreements regarding the payment of added costs of special education programs and services are specific to the individual student. The written agreement shall address how the agreement shall be amended in the event of significant changes in the costs or level of special education programs or services required by the pupil.
If a student enrolled under Section 105c becomes eligible for special education services following enrollment, the enrolling district and the resident district must have a written agreement in order for the enrolling district to continue to count the student in membership.
If a student enrolled under Section 105 is eligible, or becomes eligible, for special education services and relocates to a resident district outside of the boundaries of the intermediate school district, then the enrolling district and the district of residence must have a written agreement regarding the payment of added costs of special education programs and services in order for the student to continue to be counted in membership by the enrolling district.
If a student enrolled under Section 105c relocates to another resident district outside of the boundaries of the intermediate school district in which the enrolling district is located, then the enrolling district and the district of residence must have a written agreement regarding the payment of added costs of special education programs and services in order for the student to continue to be counted in membership by the enrolling district. School districts that enroll non-resident students under Section 105 or 105c receive the lesser of their own foundation allowance or the foundation allowance of the district of residence. Districts that enroll non-resident students under cooperative education programs receive the foundation allowance of the district of residence. Districts may not charge tuition for non-resident students enrolled under Section105 or 105c, or under cooperative education programs.
What if a school of choice student ends up needing an IEP?
More information is available on:
