MI HB5269

Department of Education must contract for a comprehensive statewide cost study to determine the basic per-pupil cost needed to enable students to complete Michigan merit standard credit requirements and demonstrate proficiency on the Michigan merit examination.

Study must consider both adequacy (sufficient resources to meet performance standards) and equity (equal opportunity for all students regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic status, or geography).

Vendor must use multiple national-level research approaches including successful school district analysis, professional judgment, and evidence-based methods to assess data reliability, efficiency, and application to school cost pressures.

Study must examine educational resources and expenditures required for quality education, geographic cost indexing, additional funding needs (poverty, limited English proficiency, disabilities, population density, rural/urban factors), and costs for food service, transportation, construction, and debt service.

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