EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Senate Bill 757 (Substitute S-4)

Sponsor:  Sen. Roger Kahn, M.D.

House Committee:  Education

Senate Committee:  Education

Complete to4-28-10

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 757 (S-4) AS PASSED BY THE SENATE3-3-10

The bill would amend the Revised School Code (MCL 380.1278b) to require students to review their educational development plan (EDP) in 8th grade, and to revise the plan, as appropriate, before entering high school.  The bill would take effect onJuly 1, 2011.

Currently, the board of a school district or public school academy (customarily called a charter school) must ensure that each student has the opportunity in 7th grade to develop anEDP, and ensure that each student has developed anEDP before beginning high school.

In contrast, under the bill, the board of a school district or charter school would have to provide each student with the opportunity to develop anEDP during 7th grade, and to ensure that each student reviews the plan during 8th grade and revises it as appropriate before beginning high school.

The school code requires that anEDP be developed by a student under the supervision of a school counselor or other designee who is qualified to act in a counseling role and is selected by the high school principal. The plan must be based on a career pathways program or similar career exploration program.  Senate Bill 757 (S-4) would retain these provisions (while also requiring theEDP to be reviewed and revised), and also require that the plan be based on high school readiness scores.  Further, the bill specifies that the plan be designed to assist students to identify career development goals as they relate to academic requirements.

Now the school code states that if a student receives special education services, a school psychologist also should participate in developing the student's educational development plan.  Senate Bill 757(S-4) would delete that provision.

FISCAL IMPACT:

            The bill would have no fiscal impact on state or local government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                   Fiscal Analyst:   Mary Ann Cleary      

                                                                                                                           Bethany Wicksall

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.