Gov. Whitmer Signs 'Return To Learn' Bills

MICHIGAN — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday signed the bipartisan Return to Learn bills she and legislative leaders agreed upon Friday.

The bill package outlines flexible instructional requirements for the 2020-21 school year and also provides significant financial stability to districts by primarily using last year's pupil count to determine this year's funding levels, Whitmer's office said.

“Over the past week, we have taken crucial steps to help Michigan schools and families navigate the new school year," Whitmer said in a statement. "Alongside this bipartisan agreement, I announced nearly $65 million in federal funding to help give students, parents, educators, and support staff the resources they need to provide the best and most safe education possible.

“These bills will help schools implement their comprehensive safety plans going into the 2020-21 school year. I am proud of this bipartisan package and will continue working with everyone who wants to ensure our schools are safe during COVID-19. These are great steps, but we will need a comprehensive bipartisan plan and funding from the federal government. It is time the Republicans in Congress to do their part to protect families and students across the country.”

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Under the legislation, schools are provided flexibility around the number of school days, instructional hours, student count and attendance. The legislation outlines the new coronavirus learning plan, which is intended to provide districts with flexibility to adapt their programs to respond to the pandemic.

Under each plan, schools are required to describe how instruction will be delivered, giving school districts the ability to provide instruction in-person at school or a different location, online, digitally, or any other remote means of learning. Districts are also required to describe how instruction for core academic areas provided under the learning plan will expose each student to standards comparable to in-person instruction and a description of how student progress will be graded or reported.

Districts are required to describe how they will ensure students with disabilities will be provided with equitable access to instruction accommodation as well as describe how students will be provided with equitable access to technology and internet if instruction is virtual.

Whitmer's office said the legislation ensures that students are engaged in learning by requiring consistent two-way interactions between students and teachers. As districts develop their plans they are required to work with their local health departments and employees to develop district wide guidelines and key metrics from local data. Learning plans must be submitted to its ISD or authorizing body by Oct. 1.