Michigan Department of Education 2020-2021 Report for Reduction of Hours/Days Waiver for Alternative and/or Innovative Programs

The purpose of this report is to gather information on programs that utilized the Alternative Education and Innovative Programs (Hours and Days) Waivers. These waivers were approved on a site-by-site basis. Therefore, if a district operated multiple sites under the waiver for 2020-2021, a report must be completed for each site.

If you are unsure of your 5-digit district or building code, please check in the Education Entity Master (EEM). Reports with incorrect or incomplete codes may be returned for modifications.

Questions regarding this form should be directed to Steve Nemeckay. The deadline to submit this reporting form is Friday, July 16, 2021.

Upon submission of this form, a confirmation will be sent to the contact e-mail below.

Contact Information

Contact Person First Name *

Contact Person Last Name *

Contact Person Title *

Contact Person E-mail Address *

Contact Person Phone Number *

District/Program Information

Enter the Name of the District *

Enter the 5-digit District Code *

Program/School Name *

Enter the 5-digit Building Code

Is the program an Alternative Program or an Innovative program? *

Alternative Program

Innovative Program

50% Attendance Waiver Flexibility

The State School Aid Act, Section 101(3)(h) [MCL 388.1701]: At the request of a district that operates a department-approved alternative education program and that does not provide instruction for pupils in all of grades K to 12, the superintendent may grant a waiver from the requirements of subdivision (e). The waiver shall indicate that an eligible district is subject to the proration provisions of subdivision (e) only if the district does not have at least 50% of the district's membership in attendance on any day of pupil instruction. In order to be eligible for this waiver, a district must maintain records to substantiate its compliance with the following requirements:

The district offers the minimum hours of pupil instruction as required under this section.
For each enrolled pupil, the district uses appropriate academic assessments to develop an individual education plan that leads to a high school diploma.
The district tests each pupil to determine academic progress at regular intervals and records the results of those tests in that pupil's individual education plan.
The 50% waiver is only available to districts not operating full K-12 programming or to districts that have been approved in previous fiscal years.

Did the district apply for the 50% attendance waiver? *

Yes

If the 50% Attendance Waiver flexibility was requested, what steps and strategies are you taking to increase attendance?

Alternative and Innovative Programs

Please explain how utilization of this waiver fits into the school improvement plan. *

Describe the alternative or innovative program and what makes this program unique. Include implementation of innovative ideas by leadership and instructional staff. Please discuss the intended outcomes of the program. *

Does the program accommodate varying learning and ability levels? *

Does the program use diagnostics to help determine student needs? *

Does the program utilize supports to address student needs and build upon student strengths? *

Are there accommodations made for students that need acceleration? *

Student Engagement and Achievement

How does this program improve student engagement and achievement? If you used technology, how did you utilize it? *

Does the program contextualize and integrate real-world applications to students to increase engagement? *

Does the program indicate how student engagement is measured? *

Does the program use apps, tablets, desk/laptops, or video conferencing to deliver instruction? *

Does the program engage parents in what is/was being taught in the instructional setting? Are online-based resources made available to promote parent/student coursework conversation and aid in homework help (if applicable)? *

Time not Reported as Instructional Time

Please explain how you are using the time not reported as instructional time to take advantage of the flexibility of this waiver to promote student success. *

Does the program utilize part of this time for one on one and small group student help? *

Does the program utilize part of this time to communicate with parents or guardians about student progress? *

Does the program utilize part of this time to make connections with community partners such as, postsecondary institutions, local college access networks, physical and mental health resources, local law enforcement, libraries and so on? *

Does the program utilize part of this time for professional learning community activities? *

Professional Development

Describe how the allowance of this waiver has impacted professional development for staff that directly relates to student engagement and achievement. *

Is the program regularly discussed at staff meetings? *

Does the program have a bearing on what type of professional development is chosen? *

Does the program impact regular teaching practices? *

Does the program impact teacher technology training surrounding the use of apps, tablets, desk/laptops, or video conferencing used to deliver instruction? *

Drop-Out Considerations

Examples of interventions are Early Warning Systems (EWS), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Practice Guide for Dropout Prevention, Student Reading and Math Assessment Data.

Describe how the approved program specifically addresses students who are at-risk of dropping out of school. Include how these students are identified and the interventions utilized to promote success in school if applicable. *

Does the program demonstrate an active EWS? *

Does the program demonstrate utilization of the practices within the IES practice guide for Dropout Prevention? *

Does the program demonstrate a clear MTSS process? *

Does the program demonstrate collection of student assessment data for utilization in its MTSS process? *