Charter schools in Michigan

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Charter schools in Michigan are public schools operated independently of public school systems, either by nonprofit or for-profit organizations. Although they are largely publicly funded, charter schools are exempt from many of the requirements imposed by state and local boards of education regarding hiring and curriculum. As public schools, charter schools cannot charge tuition or impose special entrance requirements; students are usually admitted through a lottery process if demand exceeds the number of spaces available in a school. Charter schools generally receive a percentage of the per-pupil funds from the state and local school districts for operational costs based on enrollment. In most states, charter schools do not receive funds for facilities or start-up costs; therefore, they must rely to some extent on private donations. The federal government also provides revenues through special grants. As of March 2017, 44 states and the District of Columbia had approved legislation authorizing the creation of public charter schools. Six states had not.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, a charter school advocacy group, there were an estimated 300 total charter schools in Michigan in the 2015-2016 school year. These schools enrolled approximately 149,100 students.
  • Overall, charter school students accounted for 9.85 percent of total public school enrollment in Michigan in 2015.
  • The Michigan State Legislature approved the state's charter school law in 1993.

    • Background

    History

    The Michigan State Legislature approved Michigan's charter school law in 1993.

    In 1991 Minnesota became the first state to pass a charter school law.[1]

    The National Conference of State Legislatures defines charter schools as follows:[2]

    “

    Charter schools are publicly funded, privately managed and semi-autonomous schools of choice. They do not charge tuition. They must hold to the same academic accountability measures as traditional schools. They receive public funding similarly to traditional schools. However, they have more freedom over their budgets, staffing, curricula and other operations. In exchange for this freedom, they must deliver academic results and there must be enough community demand for them to remain open.[3]

    		”
    —National Conference of State Legislatures

    Across the nation, charter schools have grown in number since the passage of the first public charter school law. As of March 2017, 44 states plus the District of Columbia had enacted charter school laws, and in 2013 it was estimated that 4.6 percent of all public school students attended charter schools. Performance results of charter schools nationally have been mixed, with some performing demonstrably better and others closing because they could not meet required standards.[2][4][5]

    Michigan's charter school law was passed in 1993. The state's first charter schools opened in 1994.[6]

    Participation

    According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, a charter school advocacy group, there were an estimated 300 total charter schools in Michigan in the 2015-2016 school year. These schools enrolled approximately 149,100 students. Overall, charter school students accounted for 9.85 percent of total public school enrollment in Michigan in 2015.[7]

    Charter schools, 2015-2016
    State Total number of charter schools Estimated enrollment Percentage of total public school enrollment
    Michigan 300 149,100 9.85%
    Illinois 145 64,400 3.13%
    Indiana 91 40,300 3.92%
    Wisconsin 244 44,800 5.15%
    United States total 6,824 2,930,600 5.85%
    Note: The percentages in the column labeled "Percentage of total public school enrollment" were calculated by taking the estimated number of charter school students in a given state and dividing by the total estimated number of public school students in that state in 2015. Total public school enrollment estimates came from the National Center for Education Statistics.
    Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "A Closer Look at the Charter School Movement," February 3, 2016

    Demographics

    See also: Charter school demographics and Demographic information for all students in the United States

    The table below presents information about the race/ethnicity of charter school students in Michigan in the 2013-2014 school year, as reported by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. To facilitate comparison, the same figures are also provided for all public school students.[8][9]

    Enrollments by ethnicity, 2013-2014 (as percentages)
    Data sample White Black Hispanic Asian Other
    Charter schools in Michigan 33.0% 53.0% 8.0% 3.0% 3.0%
    Public schools in Michigan 68.3% 18.3% 6.8% 2.9% 3.6%
    Charter schools in the U.S. 34.9% 27.1% 30.0% 4.1% 3.8%
    Public schools in the U.S. 50.3% 15.6% 24.8% 4.8% 4.4%
    Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 203.70. Percentage distribution of enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools, by race/ethnicity and state or jurisdiction: Fall 2003 and fall 2013," accessed June 7, 2016
    National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "The Health of the Charter Public School Movement: A State-by-State Analysis," March 2016

    State law

    Authorizers

    Charter school authorizers are, according to the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA), the organizations "designated to approve, monitor, renew, and, if necessary, close charter schools." NASCA has identified six primary types of charter school authorizers:[10]

    1. Higher education institutions (HEI)
    2. Independent charter boards (ICB)
    3. Local education agencies (LEA)
    4. Non-education government entities (NEG)
    5. Not-for-profit organizations (NFP)
    6. State education agencies

    The table below lists charter school authorizers in Michigan as of June 2016. Click [show] to expand the table's contents.

    Enrollment regulations

    Charter schools in Michigan may not charge tuition and cannot "screen out students based on disability, race, religion, gender, test scores, etc." In the event that there are more applicants to a charter school than there are seats available, a random lottery must be held to determine admissions.[11] Charter schools are permitted to service grades K-12 or any combination thereof.[11]

    Funding

    In Michigan, charter schools receive a portion of their funding from the state.

    The way charter schools are financed differs from state to state, and even between districts within states. In Michigan, charter schools receive funding on a per-pupil basis, as do all public schools. According to state law, the per-pupil amount allocated to charter schools "may not exceed the per-pupil base foundation received by the local school district where the charter school is geographically located." Charter schools are not permitted to levy millages or sell public bonds.[12][11]

    The state does not provide start-up or planning grants to charter schools, but the state does provide funding assistance for facilities. According to the Education Commission of the States, "the Michigan Public Educational Facilities Authority provides opportunities for low cost financing and technical assistance through bonding and loan programs."[13]

    Accountability

    See also: Accountability measures for charter schools

    Charter schools are required by law to conduct annual financial audits. In addition, they must submit financial reports to their authorizers on a quarterly basis. Charter schools are also required to make certain information publicly available. This includes information "about the school's board of directors, health and safety reports, and a list of teachers and administrators and their salaries, among other things."[13]

    Michigan law specifies the following as reasons for the termination or revocation of a school's charter:[13]

    “
    1. Failure of the public school academy to demonstrate improved pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils or meet the educational goals set forth in the contract;
    2. Failure of the public school academy to demonstrate improved pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils or meet the educational goals set forth in the contract;
    3. Failure of the public school academy to meet generally accepted public sector accounting principles and demonstrate sound fiscal stewardship;
    4. Failure of the public school academy to meet generally accepted public sector accounting principles and demonstrate sound fiscal stewardship.

    In addition, a charter school's contract will be revoked at the end of a school year if the charter school has been among the lowest achieving 5 percent for at least four years.[3]

    		”
    —Education Commission of the States

    Charter school law rankings

    In January 2016, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released a report ranking all of the nation's charter school laws. Michigan's law ranked 21 out of 43. The organization ranked each state's law by considering what it called "20 essential components of a strong charter school law." The table below compares Michigan's score with that of neighboring states. To access the full report, including methodology, click here.[14]

    Charter school law rankings, January 2016
    State 2016 ranking 2015 ranking Ranking difference 2016 score 2015 score Score difference
    Michigan 21 21 0 143 141 2
    Illinois 32 29 -3 129 129 0
    Indiana 1 5 4 177 161 16
    Wisconsin 37 38 1 110 79 31
    Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "Measuring Up To The Model: A Ranking of State Charter School Laws," January 2016

    Issues

    Debate

    Proponents of charter schools such as the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools argue that, due to their freedom from some state oversight and regulation, they can adopt more innovative educational approaches. This allows them to cater to their particular higher-risk school age populations, which are generally composed of more minority and poor students. In addition, advocates argue that charter schools empower parents and improve traditional public schools through competition.

    Meanwhile, critics such as Diane Ravitch argue that charter schools have not been proven to produce significantly higher levels of academic achievement as promised. It is difficult to find data comparable to traditional public schools. Critics also contend that charter schools divert funds from traditional public schools, which continue to enroll significant majorities of public school students, thereby compounding problems at failing schools and generating unequal outcomes for students.[15]

    Funding inequity

    In 2014, the University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform released a report identifying disparities between charter school funding and traditional public school funding. Examining 31 states, the researchers considered all sources of charter school funding, including public funds, grants, and philanthropic donations. Researchers found that charter schools received on average 28.4 percent less than traditional public schools. Tennessee's funding disparity was lowest at 0.1 percent, while Louisiana's was highest at 58.4 percent. The disparity in Michigan was -27.7 percent, earning the state an F grade. Charter schools in the state received on average $3,633 per pupil than traditional public schools.[16]

    Below is a chart that compares Michigan's grade and funding disparity with those of surrounding states. To access the full report, click here.

    Charter school funding disparity by state
    State Grade District per-pupil revenue Charter per-pupil revenue Disparity in dollars Disparity in percents
    Michigan F $13,118 $9,485 -$3,633 -27.7%
    Illinois D $13,461 $11,408 -$2,053 -15.3%
    Indiana F $13,286 $8,671 -$4,616 -34.7%
    Wisconsin F $16,757 $9,870 -$6,887 -41.1%
    Source: University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform, "Charter School Funding: Inequity Expands," accessed October 22, 2014

    Charter school management organizations and other groups

    See also: Charter school management organization

    In the 2010-2011 school year, 74 charter schools in Michigan were freestanding, 18 operated under charter management organizations, and 149 operated under education management organizations.[17]

    The Michigan Association of Public School Academies is a charter school advocacy group. Its stated mission is "to improve educational outcomes for Michigan's children by advancing quality education through choice and innovation."[18]

    The Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers is a membership group for the state's charter school authorizers. The group "seek[s] to advance public school choice and accountability by supporting high-quality oversight and serving as a unified voice for authorizers across Michigan."[19]

    Innovation

    See also: Charter school innovation indicators and High-performing charter schools

    Charter school proponents argue that charter schools have the freedom to adopt more innovative practices, which in turn lead to improved academic performance. To get a sense of the level of innovation occurring in charter schools, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools surveyed charter schools across the country on the various innovative education practices they employed. In Michigan, an average of 22 percent of charter schools reported using innovative practices in the 2011-2012 school year. The table below displays the prevalence of a variety of innovative practices in Michigan as a percentage of all charter schools in the state. The figures are compared with those in surrounding states.[20]

    Charter schools with innovative practices, in percents (2011-2012)
    State Extended day Extended year Year-round calendar Independent study School-to-work Higher education courses Average
    Michigan 55% 23% 9% 21% 5% 18% 22%
    Illinois 74% 52% 4% 17% 13% 9% 28%
    Indiana 63% 63% 5% 11% 11% 26% 30%
    Wisconsin 35% 31% 15% 40% 25% 15% 27%
    Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "The Health of the Public Charter School Movement: A State-By-State Analysis," accessed October 3, 2014

    Academic performance

    In June 2014, the Detroit Free Press reported that "[o]f the charter schools ranked by the state during the 2012-13 school year, 38 percent fell below the 25th percentile, meaning at least 75 percent of all state public schools performed better." By contrast, the newspaper found that 23 percent of traditional public schools fell below the 25th percentile. Furthermore, the paper found that a "majority of the lowest-performing charters have been around for 10 years or more." Lou Glazer, president of Michigan Future (a nonprofit charter school development group), said, "We've allowed all sorts of people to get in the business who are not great at teaching and learning ... and they're allowed to go on for year after year after year without great results."[21]

    Some charter school advocates argued that these findings were skewed by the fact that charter schools tend to serve high-poverty student populations. In 2012-2013, charter schools that ranked below the 25th percentile had an average poverty rate of 72 percent, compared to 48 percent for all public schools statewide.[21]

    Dan Quisenberry of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies said, "[Charter schools] have changed the world in some important ways. We all have aspirational goals for seeing all kids in an excellent environment. If that's the measure, we're not there yet. But I don't think that's failure. We are seeing success." Quisenberry pointed to alternate measures of charter school success, such as proficiency and graduation rates.[21]

    To access the full report from the Detroit Free Press, click here.

    Ballot measures and legislation

    Ballot measures

    See also: School choice on the ballot and List of Michigan ballot measures

    Ballotpedia has tracked the following statewide ballot measures relating to school choice.

    1. Michigan Proposal H, Funding of Schools Initiative (1978)
    2. Michigan Proposal 00-1, Tuition Voucher Use and Teacher Testing Initiative (2000)

    Legislation

    The following is a list of recent charter school bills that have been introduced in or passed by the Michigan state legislature. To learn more about each of these bills, click the bill title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.

    Note: Due to the nature of the sorting process used to generate this list, some results may not be relevant to the topic. If no bills are displayed below, no legislation pertaining to this topic has been introduced in the legislature recently.

    Recent news

    The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Michigan charter school. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

    Charter schools in Michigan - Google News

    See also

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    External links

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Public School Review, "What is a Charter School?" accessed October 2, 2014
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 National Conference of State Legislatures, "Charter School Finance," accessed October 9, 2014
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    4. ↑ Center for Research on Education Outcomes, "National Charter School Study," accessed October 9, 2014
    5. ↑ National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "Total Number of Students," accessed October 9, 2014
    6. ↑ Michigan Association of Public School Academies, "Charter School Facts," accessed November 26, 2014
    7. ↑ National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "A Closer Look at the Charter School Movement," February 3, 2016
    8. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 203.70. Percentage distribution of enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools, by race/ethnicity and state or jurisdiction: Fall 2003 and fall 2013," accessed June 7, 2016
    9. ↑ National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "The Health of the Charter Public School Movement: A State-by-State Analysis," March 2016
    10. ↑ National Association of Charter School Authorizers, "Types of Authorizers," accessed June 6, 2016
    11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Michigan Department of Education, "Michigan Charter Schools - Questions and Answers," September 2014
    12. ↑ Michigan Association of Public School Academies, "Charter School Information," accessed November 26, 2014
    13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Education Commission of the States, "Charter Schools Update 2014 - State Profile - Michigan," June 2014
    14. ↑ National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "Measuring Up To The Model: A Ranking of State Charter School Laws," January 2016
    15. ↑ The New York Review of Books, "The Myth of Charter Schools," November 11, 2010
    16. ↑ University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform, "Charter School Funding: Inequity Expands," accessed October 22, 2014
    17. ↑ National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "The Health of the Public Charter School Movement: A State-By-State Analysis," accessed October 3, 2014
    18. ↑ Michigan Association of Public School Academies, "Overview," accessed November 26, 2014
    19. ↑ Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers, "Our Mission," accessed November 26, 2014
    20. ↑ National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "The Health of the Public Charter School Movement: A State-By-State Analysis," accessed October 3, 2014
    21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Detroit Free Press, "Concerns over charter school performance persist as more open in state," June 26, 2014
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