Snyder Signs Bill Expanding Educational Opportunities

Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation yesterday expanding educational opportunities and choices for students and families by increasing the number of cyber charter schools and broadening eligibility for dual enrollment programs.

The reforms help students to best meet their needs while contemplating Michigan's already outstanding traditional public schools.

Snyder said "Michigan students can now achieve a quality education without boundaries. Empowering more parents and students with the option to enroll in cyber charter schools and attend college level courses increases not only their educational opportunities , but also their potential for success."

Senate Bill 619 lifts the cap on the number of cyber charter schools, and sets an enrollment limit of two percent of student population. It also removes the requirement of cyber school students having been previously enrolled in a public school.

Any applicant for a cyber school contract must demonstrate experience delivering a quality education program that imposes student academic achievement, and offer any configuration of grades K-12 or all of those grades. Students will be issued a computing device by the school and the school will be responsible for subsidizing the cost of Internet access.

Senator Patrick Colbeck who sponsored the bill said "providing more choice in public education empowers parents and gives them greater input in determining the best learning environment for their children. Cyber charter schools are a unique way to broaden that choice for many of Michigan's families."

Visit www.legislature.mi.gov for more information on this and other bills.