STEM ENDORSEMENT                                                                            S.B. 344 (S-2):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Bill 344 (Substitute S-2 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator John Proos

Committee:  Education

 


CONTENT

 

The bill would amend the Revised School Code to allow a school district or public school academy to notate a pupil's transcript or diploma to indicate that the pupil had earned a STEM endorsement if he or she, in addition to completing all applicable requirements of the Michigan Merit standard for a high school diploma, successfully completed six or more credits in mathematics, six or more credits in science, and at least one half credit featuring significant course work involving technology activities, and at least one half credit featuring significant course work involving engineering activities, while in grades 7 to 12.

 

Proposed MCL 380.1278d                                           Legislative Analyst:  Nathan Leaman

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the Department of Education since the bill would not mandate STEM endorsements.

 

At the local level, costs could vary depending on whether schools decided to notate transcripts or diplomas with a STEM endorsement. If schools needed to redesign multiple classroom curricula to meet Department guidelines or add classes, then schools would have to spend resources that could be needed elsewhere. The costs of confirming that students met the qualifications for a STEM endorsement would be minor and fit within the current costs of determining whether a student meets current graduation requirements. Due to variations in schools' decisions to issue STEM endorsements and cost variations, it is not possible to estimate an average cost.

 

Date Completed:  5-31-17                                                     Fiscal Analyst:  Cory Savino

 

This 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.