STEM ENDORSEMENT S.B. 344 (S-1):
SUMMARY OF SUBSTITUTE BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 344 (Substitute S-1)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised School Code to establish a STEM endorsement for pupils who successfully completed particular requirements while in grades 7 through 12.
Specifically, a pupil would be eligible for a STEM endorsement if he or she, in addition to completing all the applicable requirements of the Michigan Merit standard for a high school diploma, successfully completed all of the following credit requirements while in grades 7 to 12:
-- Six or more credits in mathematics, including at least five in courses that are either listed in Section 1278a(1)(a)(i) or that cover the same content standards as a course listed in that section, and including a credit that covers the content standards for precalculus and calculus.
-- Six or more credits in science, including at least four in courses that are either listed in Section 1278b(1)(b) or that cover the same content standards as a course listed in that section.
-- 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, which could be gained through separate technology and engineering course work or in conjunction with course work associated with the credits required in mathematics and science.
(Courses listed in Section 1278a(1)(a)(i) include in algebra I, geometry, algebra II, trigonometry, statistics, precalculus, calculus, applied math, business math, and certain Department of Education-approved career or technical education programs or curricula. Courses listed in Section 1278b(1)(b) include biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, agricultural science, forensics, astronomy, Earth science, environmental science, geology, physiology, microbiology, and certain Department-approved computer science or technical education programs or curricula.)
The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.
Proposed MCL 380.1278d Legislative Analyst: Nathan Leaman
FISCAL IMPACT
State: The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the Department of Education that would depend on the implementation of the bill. Issuing STEM endorsements could result
in either minor or more extensive involvement by the Department, which would result in varying fiscal impacts. If the Department merely had to provide guidance to schools and an electronic STEM endorsement for the diplomas that qualified, the result would be minor costs to the Department that could be covered by current appropriations. However, if the Department had to give approval to the math and science courses and produce physical endorsements for the diplomas that qualified, the costs would increase greatly and possibly require additional appropriations to the Department.
Local: At the local level, costs could vary depending on how much involvement would be required of the schools. If they 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. Costs also could vary depending on how endorsements were displayed on the diploma. If schools had to print alternative diplomas for students who met the qualifications, then schools could be required to spend extra resources on producing different sets of diplomas. If schools received a physical endorsement from the Department and it were placed on the diploma, then minor costs would be incurred to place the STEM endorsements on the correct diploma.
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.