• The Press Release;
• Downloadable data files for district and building-level results;
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for this new test; and
• A link to the Michigan Merit Exam results webpage.

The announcement and application for the 2008-2009 CHARTER SCHOOL PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS is available on the MDE Charter Schools webpage at:  www.michigan.gov/charters  Attached for your use and information is the announcement in both PDF and Word formats, including the application Narrative and Management Plan. 

Please note the very tight deadline on the application for proposed charter schools to open in Fall 2008 or 2009:  For schools with authorizer commitments for 2008 or 2009 openings:

If an authorizer has notified MDE by July 31, 2008 that it expects to charter a school for Fall 2008 or Fall 2009 opening, MDE will accept applications from the school for new 12-month planning or implementation grants by August 28, 2008 for an October 1, 2008 award date.

For earlier-stage developers planning for 2010 openings: 

MDE will accept grant applications for up to 18 months from earlier stage PSA planners who have submitted an application to a Michigan authorizer, but who have not yet received a charter contract.  Although some applicants may find it possible to use these funds toward a fall 2009 school opening, MDE expects most applicants to use the full 18 months to plan for Fall 2010 school opening.  Completed applications must be received at the Michigan Department of Education by January 10, 2009.  Review panels are expected to score the applications by mid-February; grant announcements are expected by March 15 for an April 1, 2009 award date.

More complete information may be found in the attached announcement and application materials and on the website.  In order to apply, applicants will need to have a MEIS number and authorization to initiate the application on MEGS.  Links to information about the MEGS system and authorization may be found on the charter school web page noted above.

If you have questions about the application process, format, management plan or budget expenditures, I may be reached at 517-241-4715.  You may also contact Joann Neuroth at 517-241-6668.

For questions regarding MEGS and MEIS, contact Kim Sidel at 517-373-3345.

Greg Olszta

The purpose of this memo is to update you on items related to the Michigan School Report Card for 2008 including the deadline for appeals for high schools, K-12 schools, alternative schools, special education centers, and district AYP and the one percent cap on proficient scores for students with disabilities assessed with alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards (MI-Access). The following summarizes the deadline:

The Detroit Public Schools has dozens of abandoned schools sitting boarded up and rotting and draining precious revenue from the school system. But it refuses to lease them to charter school operators who want to put the buildings back into service.

It's a terrible policy that does a tremendous disservice to the city of Detroit.

The 53 closed schools are poorly maintained and monitored. Many have been opened by vandals and others and have become a danger. The closed school buildings also contribute to neighborhood blight. (more...)