MICHIGAN MERIT EXAMINATION H.B. 6412 & 6413:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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House Bills 6412 and 6413 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Matthew Gillard
House Committee: Appropriations
Senate Committee: Appropriations
Date Completed: 12-8-08
CONTENT
House Bill 6412 would amend the Revised School Code to make it consistent with the State School Aid Act. The bill would:
- Eliminate retakes of the Merit Exam except for the ACT portion of the assessment;
- Require all students not eligible for free lunch to pay for Merit Exam retakes;
- Restrict any Merit Exam writing exams to only the ACT writing test;
- Require all three WorkKeys components to be administered; and
- Require the Department of Education to identify specific grade level content expectations to be taught before and after the middle of 11th grade, so teachers will know what content will be covered within the Merit Exam.
House Bill 6413 would amend the definition of "state assessment test" in the Michigan Promise Grant Act to account for the elimination of full Merit Exam retakes.
MCL 380.1279g (H.B. 6412)
390.1622 (H.B. 6413)
FISCAL IMPACT
House Bills 6412 and 6413 would have no future fiscal impact. The estimated savings of $2.0 million was taken in the 2008-09 School Aid appropriations bill (Public Act 268 of 2008).
Fiscal Analyst: Debra Hollon
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. 6413/0708