There are 886 school districts in Michigan and 3,550 schools. There were 1,460,703 students enrolled in public schools K-12 in the 2019-2020 school year. Around 70% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. There is no policy mandate regarding school climate measurement, however, the state does provide its survey. Michigan state has school policies that address bullying prevention, and school safety such as emergency planning and weapons on school property, suicide prevention and awareness, special education, parent involvement, and anti-discrimination. There are no policies regarding social media and/or internet safety education. There is a unique policy that regards restorative practices as an alternative or in addition to suspension or expulsion which was enacted in August of 2017.
Safety
School Climate Survey Suite Overview.
This third-party organization works on behalf of the Michigan Department of Education to collect and analyze school climate data.
Who does this protect? Staff, Administrators, Students
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1310b Policy prohibiting bullying; adoption and implementation; public hearing; submission of department policy; contents of policy; annual report of incidents of bullying; form and procedure; school employee school volunteer, pupil, or parent or guardian reporting act of bullying to school official; modified policy; definitions; section to be known as “Matt Epling Safe School Law.”
Defines bullying and cyberbullying, as well as behaviors associated with these actions.
Michigan asks schools to develop and implement procedures to prevent bullying and harassment behavior and the consequences of such behavior. Policies also explain that procedures are needed for reporting an incidence of bullying and investigating it as well as how this policy will be communicated.
- Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1310b Policy prohibiting bullying; adoption and implementation; public hearing; submission of policy to the department; contents of policy; annual report of incidents of bullying; form and procedure; school employee school volunteer, pupil, or parent or guardian reporting act of bullying to school official; modified policy; definitions; section to be known as “Matt Epling Safe School Law.”
- Michigan Compiled Laws 750.411t. Hazing prohibited; violation; penalty; exceptions; certain defenses barred; definitions; section title.
Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1310b Policy prohibiting bullying; adoption and implementation; public hearing; submission of department policy; contents of policy; annual report of incidents of bullying; form and procedure; school employee school volunteer, pupil, or parent or guardian reporting act of bullying to school official; modified policy; definitions; section to be known as “Matt Epling Safe School Law.”
Michigan anti-bullying laws cover on-school property conduct as well as off-school property conduct. However, it only covers off-school property conduct if the behavior is committed using a telecommunications access device, or if the telecommunications service provider is owned by or under the control of the school district.
Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1310b Annual report of incidents of bullying.
The department shall establish a form and procedure for school districts and public school academies to report incidents of bullying to the department on an annual basis and shall make this information readily available to the public.
Who does this protect? Students, Teachers
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Michigan schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies.
- Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1308b. Emergency operations plan; requirements; Notice; Exemption of Certain Information From Freedom of Information Act; “School Building” Defined.
Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1308 Statewide school safety information policy.
A school board will provide detailed and accurate building plans, blueprints, and site plans, for each school building operated by the school board, to the local law enforcement agency.
Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1291 Local school security task force.
This task force can perform functions at the local level similar to those performed at the state level by the school security task force created under the school security task force act. The local school security task force shall include representatives of parents, teachers and other school employees, school administrators, law enforcement officials, pupils, and other members of the community affected by weapons in schools.
Michigan Compiled Laws 29.19 Fire Drills in Schools and School Dormitories; Unrestricted Emergency Egress; Compliance; Record; Minimum Drills; Weather Conditions; Tornado Safety Drills; Location of Drills; Security Measures; Drills During Lunch or Recess Periods; Documentation of Completed School Safety Drill; Posting on Website; List of Scheduled Drill Days; Limitation; Protective Apparatus or Equipment; Development of Model; Cardiac Emergency Response Plan; Definitions.
- A minimum of 5 fire drills is required for each school year for a school that operates any of the grades kindergartens to 12.
- A minimum of 2 tornado safety drills is required for each school year.
- A minimum of 3 drills in which the occupants are restricted to the interior of the building and the building secured is required for each school year at a school that operates any grades kindergarten to 12.
https://law.justia.com/codes/michigan/2020/chapter-29/statute-act-207-of-1941/section-29-19/
Michigan Compiled Laws 750.237a Individual Engaging in Proscribed Conduct in Weapon Free School Zone; Violation; Penalties; Definitions.
Peace officers and individuals licensed by a state, don’t have to be in Michigan to carry a concealed weapon or possess a firearm or weapon with permission from the principal or school board can possess a weapon on school property. Otherwise, students, staff, and teachers are not allowed to possess weapons on school property.
Who does this protect? Students, Staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Teaching/Learning
Bilingual instruction may include instruction in the history and culture of the country, territory, or geographic area associated with the language spoken by children of limited English-speaking ability who are enrolled in the program and the history and culture of the United States. A child with limited English-speaking ability may enroll in a bilingual program in another school district if theirs doesn’t offer it.
- Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1152 “Bilingual instruction,” “children of limited English-speaking ability,” and “in-service training” defined.
- Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1153 Bilingual instruction program; establishment and operation.
Michigan provides students with disabilities the accommodations and resources they need to have an appropriate education
- Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1751 Special Education Programs and Services of Local School District.
- Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1703 Qualifications and Requirements for Special Education Personnel; Rules Relative to Special Education Programs and Services; Review.
- Michigan Administrative Code-Special education programs and services- Part 3- Administration of programs and services.
- Michigan Administrative Code Special Education programs and services- Part 2- Initial evaluation, timelines, individualized education program, district responsibilities, and due process procedures.
Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Interpersonal Relationships
There is currently no policy surrounding Respect and Diversity in Michigan. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center
Institutional Environments
Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1294 Parent involvement plan; adoption; distribution; review.
The board of a school district or intermediate school district or the board of directors of a public school academy shall adopt and implement a parent involvement plan designed to encourage parental participation.
Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1295 Parental involvement contracts. School districts are encouraged to develop and implement these parental contracts.
These contracts shall establish a learning partnership between parent, teacher, and pupil, and for the parents, the contract will address at least all of the following;
- Review and assist the student with their homework
- Ensure the student goes to school every day and is ready
- Attend school functions and get involved with student’s activities at school
- Try to attend every parent-teacher conference
Who does this protect? Students, Parents
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Michigan schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies.
- Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1308b. Emergency operations plan; requirements; Notice; Exemption of Certain Information From Freedom of Information Act; “School Building” Defined.
Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1308 Statewide school safety information policy.
A school board will provide detailed and accurate building plans, blueprints, and site plans, for each school building operated by the school board, to the local law enforcement agency.
Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1291 Local school security task force.
This task force can perform functions at the local level similar to those performed at the state level by the school security task force created under the school security task force act. The local school security task force shall include representatives of parents, teachers and other school employees, school administrators, law enforcement officials, pupils, and other members of the community affected by weapons in schools.
Michigan Compiled Laws 29.19 Fire Drills in Schools and School Dormitories; Unrestricted Emergency Egress; Compliance; Record; Minimum Drills; Weather Conditions; Tornado Safety Drills; Location of Drills; Security Measures; Drills During Lunch or Recess Periods; Documentation of Completed School Safety Drill; Posting on Website; List of Scheduled Drill.
Days; Limitation; Protective Apparatus or Equipment; Development of Model; Cardiac Emergency Response Plan; Definitions.
- A minimum of 5 fire drills is required for each school year for a school that operates any of grades kindergarten to 12
- A minimum of 2 tornado safety drills is required for each school year
- A minimum of 3 drills in which the occupants are restricted to the interior of the building and the building secured is required for each school year at a school that operates any grades kindergarten to 12
https://law.justia.com/codes/michigan/2020/chapter-29/statute-act-207-of-1941/section-29-19/
Michigan Compiled Laws 750.237a Individual Engaging in Proscribed Conduct in Weapon Free School Zone; Violation; Penalties; Definitions.
Peace officers and individuals licensed by a state, don’t have to be in Michigan to carry a concealed weapon or possess a firearm or weapon with permission from the principal or school board can possess a weapon on school property. Otherwise, students, staff, and teachers are not allowed to possess weapons on school property.
Who does this protect? Students, Staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Social Media
There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in Michigan. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School
There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relationships in Michigan. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School