Education: examinations; pilot programs for a state-administered assessment system; create. Amends secs. 11, 104, 104b & 104c of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 et seq.) & adds sec. 104d. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4158'25

Added new appropriation sources including $41M from the community district education trust fund, $125M from the school transportation fund, $71M from the enrollment stabilization fund, $30M from the school meals reserve fund, $18M from the great start readiness program reserve fund, $334.1M from the MPSERS retirement obligation reform reserve fund, and $30M from the educator fellowship public provider fund.

Allocated up to $500,000 for 2024-2025 to operate an online reporting tool that provides student-level assessment data to educators, parents, and pupils immediately after scoring.

Added a requirement that M-STEP and other test results must include an item analysis listing all counted items and the percentage of pupils choosing each response.

Added a provision allowing the department to recommend, but not require, districts to allow external keyboards with tablet devices for online testing.

Established a pilot program for a state-administered assessment system consisting of interim and summative assessments, limited to 90 districts with specific geographic distribution requirements.

Modified the Michigan merit examination requirements to include a college entrance test, work skills test, and either M-STEP or the new pilot assessment system.

Added detailed requirements for the Michigan merit examination, including quality management standards, specific deadlines for scoring and reporting, and rules for accommodations for students with disabilities.

Added provisions allowing students in nonpublic schools or home schools to take the Michigan merit examination through their district of residence or a nonpublic school.

Modified the Michigan merit examination administration timeline to require completion during the last 12 weeks of the school year, with scores returned by the beginning of the pupil's first semester of grade 12.

Added a requirement that the Michigan merit examination be administered only once per pupil, with specific rules for retaking the college entrance component based on income eligibility and scholarship denial.