MI HB6086

The Department of Education shall contract for a comprehensive statewide cost study to determine the basic cost per pupil necessary to provide public education enabling students to complete Michigan merit standard credit requirements and demonstrate proficiency on the Michigan merit examination.

The study must consider both adequacy (sufficient resources to meet performance standards and ensure academic success) and equity (resources distributed fairly regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic status, and geography).

The contracted vendor must have proven experience using multiple national-level research approaches including successful school district analysis, professional judgment, and evidence-based methods, with ability to assess cost associations with student performance goals and resource delivery efficiency.

The study must examine educational resources and expenditures needed for quality K-12 education, including review of geographic cost indexing, special funding needs (poverty, limited English proficiency, disabilities, population density, rural/urban issues), and impacts of food service, transportation, construction, and debt service costs.

The department must complete the study within 1 year of the bill's effective date and submit findings to the legislature, governor, and legislative auditor general within 30 days of completion.