scholarship

American Indian-run casinos can give directly to a local school district's scholarship fund under legislation that unanimously moved out of the Senate Appropriations Committee today.

Track this Bill SB 1097, sponsored by Sen. Ron JELINEK (R-Three Oaks), came at the request of the New Buffalo School District, which hoped to replace the now-extent state-sponsored Promise Scholarship Grant with their own scholarship program funded by an allotment given to the schools by the new Four Winds casino.

The $4,000 scholarship for 96,000 Michigan college students was eliminated under a higher education conference committee report just reported out on a 4–2 vote.

Chair Rep. Joan Bauer (D-Lansing) voted against the budget along with Sen. Jim Barcia (D-Bay City). While it is unusual for a chair to oppose their own budget bill, Ms. Bauer said she couldn’t support the cuts to the Promise Grant and other scholarship programs.

Rep. George Cushingberry Jr. (D-Detroit) joined the three Republican members in voting the conference report approved.

Mr. Cushingberry said he plans to bring up a supplemental budget out at some point to restore funding for the Promise Grant.

As the school year begins, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is implementing a number of updates to the High School Content Expectations (HSCE) to assist schools in preparing students for success on the Michigan Merit Exam (MME). MDE has listened to the field and in response to concerns, the Algebra II Course/Credit Requirements have been revised to reflect ACT’s College Readiness Standards, Achieve’s American Diploma Project Benchmarks, and the proposed common core college and career readiness standards Michigan plans to adopt. We are also identifying HSCE that may be tested on the MME.

East Lansing -- College students are expected to gather at Michigan State University on Wednesday in support of a state-funded scholarship that helps them pay tuition bills.

The Michigan Senate has voted to eliminate funding for the Michigan Promise scholarship in the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1. Gov. Jennifer Granholm's administration wants to save at least a portion of the program that now provides up to $4,000 per student to help offset tuition costs.

About 96,000 students heading into school this fall are expecting a portion of the scholarship money.

The scholarship is in danger because of Michigan's growing state budget problems.

The Michigan State University College Democrats are helping to organize Wednesday's rally.

Dear Representative Bauer and Committee Members:

Today, Michigan Legislators are facing many difficult, unpopular
decisions. As high school principals who are put between ‘a rock and a hard place’ each day, we empathize with what you are going through.

In 1999, MASSP provided testimony to the Senate as to the critical need for an award system that would provide an incentive for students to take the HS MEAP. MASSP has not wavered in our support of the

June 24, 2009

MEMORANDUM

TO: Local and Intermediate School District Superintendents, Public School Academy Directors, Nonpublic School Administrators, FROM: Sally Vaughn, Ph.D.
Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer

SUBJECT: 2009-2010 Teacher and Administrator Shortage Areas for Employment of Retirants

Attached for your information and reference is the list of teacher and administrator shortage areas identified by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) for the employment of retirees in accordance with MCL 38.1361.

State Senate Republicans Propose Steep Spending Cuts, Including Elimination of Michigan Promise Scholarships
Posted by Peter Luke | Lansing Bureau June 16, 2009 21:51PM

LANSING -- Aiming for $1.2 billion in state budget reductions, Senate Republicans this week are pushing through some of the steepest spending cuts in recent memory, including the elimination of the $4,000 Michigan Promise college scholarship.

TRACKING THE STORY
Proposed cuts being taken up in the Michigan Senate this week:
• Elimination of the Michigan Promise scholarships: $140 million
• Cuts in needs-based scholarships: $60 million
• Cut to revenue sharing to cities and townships: $165 million.

Thursday, June 18, 2009
Editorial: Save the scholarships
Governor, lawmakers must find budget cuts elsewhere to preserve state college scholarships
The Detroit News

Not so long ago, it would have seemed odd to hear so much talk about education at a summit devoted to reviving America's industrial might.

But speaker after speaker at the National Summit on the economy in Detroit emphasized the fact that a strong manufacturing base depends on a highly skilled work force.

Chip McClure, chief executive officer of auto parts maker Arvin Meritor, said his factories require workers with at least a high school diploma and often a two-year college degree.

On Monday I was with some association directors and the conversation was centered on lack of state dollars. A higher education person shared the Promise Scholarship for the Class of 2009 could be shifting to a needs based program thereby reducing the amount of available scholarship dollars and, the program would likely come to an end after this year.

So, today (Thurs., June 11th) I scheduled a meeting with the Chair of the House Higher Education appropriations committee so to get the facts on the demise of the Promise Award and share this news with our members in an article that is due.

MEMORANDUM

TO: Local and Intermediate School District Superintendents, High School Principals, High School Counselors

FROM:Michael P. Flanagan, Superintendent of Public Schools

DATE: March 4, 2009

SUBJECT: CLARIFICATION ON ACT Qualifying Score to Establish Eligibility for Installment Payments of the Michigan Promise Scholarship