MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INFORMATION ON NONPUBLIC AND HOME SCHOOLS August 2001 ATTENDANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 NONPUBLIC SCHOOL DEFINITION . . . . . . . . 2 REPORTING Nonpublic School Membership Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 FUNDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 STATE REQUIREMENTS School Building and Construction Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Articles of Incorporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Courses of Study . . . . . 4 Teacher Certification Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Teacher Criminal History and Unprofessional Applicant Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 School Calendar . . . . . 4 Child Care, Day Care or Latchkey Program Regulations . 4 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Auxiliary Services . . . . 4 Special Education . . . . 5 Americans With Disabilities Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Curriculum Materials . 6 Enrollment in Public School Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Michigan Virtual High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Participation in Title I . 6 Participation in Title VI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Regional Educational Media Centers (REMC) . . . . . . . . . 7 Food Programs . . . . . . 7 Driver Education and Bus Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Athletics and Extracurricular Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Homebound/Hospitalized Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Drug Free Schools and Communities Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 STUDENT RECORDS . . . 8 Transfer of Grades and Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Release of Student Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Immunizations . . . . . . 9 Nonpublic School Closures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 MISCELLANEOUS Assessment and Merit Award Scholarship . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Accreditation . . . . . . . 10 Discipline Policies . . 10 Work Permit . . . . . . . 10 T.B. Testing . . . . . . . 10 Playground Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 RESOURCES Department of Education and Other State Agencies . . . . 11 1 This listing of subjects applies to exemption (f) home schools. The Department of Education has historically interpreted comparable curricula for nonpublic schools to be: mathematics, reading, English, science, and social studies in all grades, and the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of Michigan, and the history and present form of civil government of the United States, the State of Michigan, and the political subdivisions and municipalities of the State of Michigan in high school. 2 ATTENDANCE The law in Michigan governing compulsory attendance requires a parent, legal guardian, or other person having control or charge of a child age six to sixteen to send the child to school during the entire school year [MCL 380.1561(3)]. (See Attachment A) A child is not required to attend a public school in the following cases: (3) (a) The child is attending regularly and is being taught in a state approved nonpublic school, which teaches subjects comparable to those taught in the public schools to children of corresponding age and grade, as determined by the course of study for the public schools of the district within which the nonpublic school is located. (3) (f) The child is being educated at the child’s home by his or her parent or legal guardian in an organized educational program in the subject areas of reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar.1 (4) For a child being educated at the child’s home by his or her parent or legal guardian, exemption from the requirement to attend public school may exist under either subsection (3)(a) or (3)(f), or both. NONPUBLIC SCHOOL DEFINITION A nonpublic school is defined under section 388.552 of the Private, Denominational and Parochial Schools Act, 1921 PA 302 [MCL 388.552]. (See Attachment B). A home school family operating under 380.1561(3)(a) as described above is considered a nonpublic school if in compliance with the Private, Denominational and Parochial Schools Act, 1921 PA 302. If a home school family chooses to operate under exemption (a), it may report to the Michigan Department of Education. (See Reporting) REPORTING Nonpublic School Membership Report The Nonpublic School Membership Report (Form SM4325) is an annual report used by the Department. Information requested on the form includes the number of students in each grade, teacher qualifications, and the course of study offered. Use of the form is authorized by section 5 of the Nonpublic School Act, and was approved by the Michigan Supreme Court in Sheridan Road Baptist Church v Department of Education, 426 Mich 462, 472, n 5; 396 NW2d 373 (1986) and Clonlara, Inc v State Board of Education, 442 Mich 230, 242, 501 NW2d 88 (1993). Forms are sent to nonpublic schools in late summer with an early October due date. New nonpublic schools may request the Nonpublic School Membership Report (Form SM4325) from the Department by calling (517) 373-0796. The Department forwards the list of nonpublic schools that have completed the reporting process to the appropriate intermediate school district, who then forwards the names to the local school districts. If a home school family chooses to operate solely under exemption (f), see information under Attachment B-1. 3 FUNDING The Michigan Constitution under Article VIII, Section 2, prohibits public monies from being paid directly or indirectly to aid or maintain any private, denominational, or nonpublic school. Federally funded programs may be available to nonpublic schools students. A detailed listing, Handbook on Serving Private School Children With Federal Education Programs, can be ordered from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Nonpublic Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5E318, Washington, D.C. 20202-3600; phone (202) 401-1365; fax (202) 401-1368. In addition, information may be accessed through the Internet at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OIIA/NonPublic. STATE REQUIREMENTS School Building and Construction Safety The requirements for school safety are authorized by MCL 388.851 and MCL 29.1 et seq. and regulated by the State Fire Safety Board. To meet the safety and sanitation requirements, satisfactory reports on fire safety and health and safety conditions at the school site are to be submitted. Local county health departments should be contacted for health and safety inspections. A school building code number will be issued after the Michigan Department of Education receives a copy of the final fire safety report. To arrange an inspection by the Office of Fire Safety, Department of Consumer and Industry Services, contact Dan Dykstra at (517) 322-5440. Nonpublic schools and exemption (3)(a) home schools with six or more students are required to meet Fire Safety regulations. Contact the Office of Fire Safety for more details. Architects are required to submit sealed construction plans to the following agencies for review: Life Safety Code Requirements Health and Safety Inspections Office of Fire Safety Contact your local county health department Dan Dykstra Department of Consumer and Industry Services 7150 Harris Drive Lansing, Michigan 48913 (517) 322-5440 Barrier Free Code Requirements Electrical Code Requirements Department of Consumer and Industry Services Department of Consumer and Industry Services Irvin J. Poke, Chief Tom Kriegish, Chief Bureau of Construction Codes -Plan Review Division Electrical Division 2501 Woodlake Circle 2501 Woodlake Circle P.O. Box 30254 P.O. Box 30254 Okemos, Michigan 48864 Okemos, Michigan 48864 (517) 241-9328 (517) 241-9320 When the above agencies have found the construction plans to be in compliance with all state codes, the Department of Education will be informed and approval to begin construction and/or remodeling will be granted. Approval to occupy will be granted only after the Office of Fire Safety has conducted a final on-site review. Persons planning to build, remodel, or add on to existing school structures should contact: Michigan Department of Education Sue Anderson School Support Services P.O. Box 30008 Lansing, Michigan 48909 (517) 373-4013 Articles of Incorporation It is possible, but not required, for nonpublic schools to become incorporated. For information on standards for incorporation, please contact David F. Hanson, Department of Career Development, at (517) 373-6551. 4 Courses of Study Nonpublic schools shall provide curricula comparable to those provided in local school districts. Instruction includes mathematics, reading, English, science, social studies in all grades, and the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of Michigan, and the history and present form of civil government of the United States, the State of Michigan, and the political subdivisions and municipalities of the State of Michigan in high school. The state does not require specific content in the basic courses. Nonpublic schools, however, may wish to use suggested curriculum standards and benchmarks that have been developed for public schools. A copy of the guidelines can be obtained from the Curriculum Development Unit in the Department of Education, at (517) 373-7248 or accessed on the web at http://cdp.mde.state.mi.us. Teacher Certification Requirement An individual may qualify to teach in Michigan nonpublic schools in one of three ways: 1. By obtaining a Michigan Teaching Certificate [MCL 388.553]. 2. By obtaining a substitute, full-year or emergency teaching permit. 3. By obtaining a bachelor’s degree. However, if a nonpublic school claims an objection to teacher certification based upon a sincerely held religious belief, the minimum education requirements for teachers are waived (Syllabus of People v DeJonge 442 Mich 266 under Attachment C). Information regarding Michigan teacher certificates and permits is under Attachment D. Teacher Criminal History and Unprofessional Applicant Checks Criminal history checks are mandatory for individuals offered initial employment as a teacher, school administrator, school counselor, school psychologists, school nurse, or school social worker in a public or nonpublic school [MCL 380.1230 and MCL 380.1230a]. (See Attachment E) Michigan law requires a former or current employer to disclose to a prospective school employer any unprofessional conduct by the applicant [MCL 380.1230b]. A public or nonpublic school is prohibited from hiring an applicant who refuses to sign a document requesting this information. (See Attachment F) School Calendar In 1993, the Michigan Supreme Court in Clonlara, Inc v State Board of Education (442 Mich 252) ruled that the Nonpublic School Act did not require a nonpublic school to be in session for 180 days required for public schools. The Department recommends, however, that a nonpublic school develop a school year calendar comparable to the public school district where the nonpublic school is located. In the 2000-2001 school year, public schools are required to provide a minimum of 180 days and 1,098 hours of pupil instruction [MCL 388.1701(3)]. Child Care, Day Care or Latchkey Program Regulations Programs regulating the operation of child care, day care or latchkey programs are licensed by Michigan’s division of Child Day Care Licensing. For further information, please contact Child Day Care Licensing, Department of Consumer and Industry Services, at (517) 373-8300. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Auxiliary Services Auxiliary services are provided for both general education and special education students. A nonpublic school may qualify for auxiliary services, federal Title I and Title VI programs, Regional Educational Media Center (REMC) services, and bus transportation services from public school districts. A school should complete the Nonpublic School Membership Report on a yearly basis for services. For further information on auxiliary services, please contact the Office of Special Education, Department of Education, at (517) 373-1696. 5 Auxiliary services include health and nursing services and examinations, national defense education act testing, speech and language teacher services, social work services, school psychological services, teacher consultant services for children with disabilities, and other ancillary services for students with disabilities, remedial reading, and other services determined by the Legislature. Section 380.1296 of the Revised School Code provides that if particular services are provided to public school students in a school district, those services must also be made available to students attending nonpublic schools located within that district. A public school that provides auxiliary services to its resident students shall provide the same auxiliary services on an equal basis to students at nonpublic schools. In 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Agostini v Felton (117 S Ct 1997) that intermediate and local school districts are required to make auxiliary services available on site at all nonpublic schools. A public school is required to notify a nonpublic school within its district about the types of auxiliary services available to its students. The Michigan Administrative Code Rule 340.293 states: “A school district providing any of these auxiliary services shall notify in writing, no later than April 1 of each school year, each of the nonpublic schools within its district as to the nature and extent of such services as contained in its proposed budget. Within 30 days after receipt of such notice, nonpublic schools shall in writing notify the district as to the services that will be needed for nonpublic school children. A school district shall confirm in writing no later than August 1 of each school year to each of the nonpublic schools within its district the nature and extent of such services as contained in its final budget as adopted by the school district board of education. . .” Special Education Most, but not all, auxiliary services are “special education” related services and consist of “ancillary and other related services” as defined in Rule 340.1701 of Michigan’s Revised Administrative Rules for Special Education. Only auxiliary services that are special education in nature will be discussed here. It is not a prerequisite that a public school district must actually be providing a particular special education auxiliary service for its resident public school special education pupils before it is obligated to provide that particular service to children in nonpublic schools located in the district [MCL 380.1296]. Both state and federal laws/regulations require that if a special education eligible student in the public schools is found to need an ancillary or related service, then the service must be provided, whether or not the service is currently available within the district. If a nonpublic school special education student needs a special education type auxiliary (i.e., ancillary or related) service, it must be provided to that student even if it is not currently being provided to any of the resident public school students. In that sense, the requirement to provide a list of auxiliary services included in the school’s budget is obsolete [R 340.293]. However, a general notice regarding auxiliary services should be provided to nonpublic schools by the local district. To receive a special education auxiliary service, the nonpublic school student first must be found eligible for special education by an individualized educational planning committee (IEPC) (i.e., the student must be found to have a qualifying impairment and to be in need of one or more special education services). To begin the process, the nonpublic school should refer the student to the local school district in which that nonpublic school is located. The nonpublic school, not the child’s parent, should make the referral. Upon receipt of the referral, the public school district will conduct an evaluation and hold an IEPC meeting to determine the student’s eligibility and the auxiliary services that are needed. The parent and a representative of the nonpublic school should be involved in this meeting. This referral and evaluation process should be completed within 30 school days. 6 The intermediate school district (ISD) plan for special education should describe how such services are provided to students within the ISD. In some ISDs, local districts provide services to their students while in others the ISD provides auxiliary services to local districts. In such cases, the ISD would provide the service to the nonpublic school also. However, the local district is still responsible for providing auxiliary services to eligible nonpublic school students educated within its boundaries. Therefore, unless otherwise informed, the nonpublic school’s referral should be sent to the local district, not to the ISD. For further information on auxiliary services for special education, please contact the Office of Special Education, Department of Education, at (517) 373-0924. Americans With Disabilities Act For information regarding the Americans With Disabilities Act (20 USC Chapter 33, 34 CFR Part 300), please contact the Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services, Department of Education, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, Michigan 48909; (517) 373-0924. Curriculum Materials Nonpublic schools and home school families may purchase the textbooks and the instructional materials they deem necessary. Textbooks, and curriculum (where available), may be purchased from a teacher bookstore. Support services may be contracted but are not required by law. Information regarding home school support services and materials may be accessed on the Internet at the following search prompts: home school curriculum, home school associations, or correspondence schools. Enrollment in Public School Classes A student who attends a nonpublic school that has reported to the Department of Education may enroll in nonessential elective classes at the resident public school. (Snyder v Charlotte Public Schools, 421 Mich 517, 365 NW2d 151 (1984). Students in home school families operating under exemption (f) may also enroll in nonessential elective classes at the resident public school. (See Attachment G) In July 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Agostini v Felton that public schools may provide shared time courses to nonpublic school students on nonpublic school premises using public school employees. Nonessential elective classes may include, but are not limited to: band, drama, art, physical education, music, computer, and advanced placement courses. Michigan Virtual High School The Michigan Virtual High School (MVHS) was established by 2000 PA 230 to provide leadership in Michigan to support the design, development, and delivery of enhanced teaching and learning resources. Courses are available online for Michigan K-12 students, teachers, as well as life-long learners. The MVHS will begin offering online courses during the 2000-2001 school year on a pilot basis. The project is anticipated to be fully operational during the 2001-2002 school year. Nonpublic and home school students may participate in the MVHS online services and course offerings to the same extent that they are allowed to participate in public school district course offerings as provided for under Michigan law. The MVHS would prefer that home school students work through a local or intermediate school district to assist with the enrollment process and to ensure appropriate “on-site mentor” support. Participation in Title I Nonpublic school students who live in Title I (20 USC §1120 and §6301 et seq.) school attendance areas and are failing academically, or students at risk of failing to meet the student performance standards in the core academic curriculum, are eligible for Title I services provided by the public school district in which they live. Funding for services to nonpublic school students is based on the number of children who live in Title I school attendance areas and meet the eligibility requirement for free or reduced-price school meals. 7 Each spring, public school districts contact nonpublic school administrators regarding participation in the Title I program. If the nonpublic school can provide low-income data and wishes its eligible students to participate, specific arrangements are made cooperatively between the district and nonpublic school. The 1997 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Agostini v Felton (117 S Ct 1997) makes it possible to provide Title I services on the premises of religiously-affiliated nonpublic schools. Questions regarding Title I should be directed to the public school district. Further information may be obtained from Linda Brown, Office of Field Services, Department of Education, at (517) 373-3921 (Email Address: brownlq@state.mi.us). Participation in Title VI Nonpublic school students may benefit from Title VI (20 USC §6402 and §7301 et seq) programs through either the local school district in which the nonpublic school is located or the intermediate school district that serves the region. Local public school district officials are responsible for consulting with nonpublic school officials to plan Title VI programs and services that may best meet the needs of children attending nonpublic schools. The plan must provide direct benefit to the nonpublic school student, not the nonpublic school. For example, the use of computers purchased with Title VI funds for keeping student records or cataloging library books would provide a benefit to the private school rather than to the children in the school and, therefore, would not be allowed. Nonpublic school Title VI plans are included with those of the public school district in a single application. All materials and equipment acquired under Title VI are purchased and owned by the public school district and loaned to the nonpublic school. Nonpublic school administrators should contact their local or intermediate school district to participate in Title VI. Further information may be obtained from Linda Brown, Office of Field Services, Department of Education, at (517) 373-3921 (Email Address: brownlq@state.mi.us). Regional Educational Media Centers (REMC) A Regional Educational Media Center (REMCs) provides a service that is available to nonpublic and home school students. The REMCs work cooperatively with one or more intermediate school districts for the improvement of instruction in Michigan’s elementary and secondary schools. Most REMCs offer: instructional materials including video, video disk, and computer software; cooperative purchasing of equipment, supplies and media; Internet access and support; production services; technological problem solving; training in the use of all types of equipment; training in the integration of media into instruction, media and technology consulting; and a distribution system. Additional services include: inservice media; AV, video and computer equipment repair; desktop publishing, graphic design and layout; printing; video production, editing and duplication; professional library and online services; instructional television or building based video collections; and satellite downlink services. For additional information regarding REMCs please contact your intermediate school district or visit their webpage at: http://remc13.k12.mi.us/. Food Programs School meals (breakfast and lunch) are available to federally tax-exempt nonpublic schools. For information on how to initiate or expand a program, please contact Barbara Campbell in the Child Nutrition Program, Department of Education, at (517) 373-2077 (Email Address: campbellb@state.mi.us). 8 Meals and snacks served in child care centers and preschools may be eligible for Child and Adult Care Food Program reimbursement. The facility must have tax exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, be nonresidential and licensed by the Department of Consumer and Industry Services, Division of Child Day Care Licensing. For additional information on food programs, contact Julie Stark, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Department of Education, at (517) 373-7391 (Email Address: starkj@state.mi.us). Driver Education and Bus Transportation A nonpublic or home school student is eligible to enroll in a driver education program provided at the public school district where the student is a resident [MCL 257.811]. If the resident public school does not operate a driver education program, the district issues a “Certificate of Participation” to the eligible resident student that can be used at another public or private driver education program. For further information regarding driver education, please contact Greg Lantzy, School Support Services, Department of Education, at (517) 373-3677. For information on school bus transportation for nonpublic school students, please contact Sue Anderson, School Support Services, Department of Education, at (517) 373-4013. Athletics and Extracurricular Activities The supervision and control of interscholastic athletics are the responsibility of each local board of education. Most local boards have adopted policies as proposed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Please contact the appropriate local school district or the Michigan High School Athletic Association at (517) 332-5046 or access information from the following Internet address: http://www.mhsaa.com/. In order to participate in public school extracurricular activities, a student should be enrolled part-time in the public school. Homebound/Hospitalized Services If a student is enrolled part-time as a public school student and part-time as a nonpublic school student, then the public schools may have some responsibility to provide homebound/hospitalized instruction. The responsibility rests with the parent and the nonpublic school to maintain continuity with the student’s nonpublic school instruction while that student is confined to the home or hospital. Parents should contact the local school district if a student is hospitalized or confined to the home during regular school hours for more than five school days [MCL 388.1709]. Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Nonpublic schools are entitled to participate in the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act programs. For information about funding or to receive an application contact: Office of Drug Control Policy Department of Community Health Lewis Cass Building, 2nd Floor 320 S. Walnut St. Lansing, Michigan 48913 (517) 373-4700 STUDENT RECORDS There is no law that requires nonpublic schools to maintain student records. Parents are encouraged to maintain student records of progress throughout the year. These records will assist public or nonpublic school personnel with placement should the student enroll in a public school. 9 Transfer of Grades and Credits The granting of credits and placement of students is solely determined by the receiving public or nonpublic school. Nonpublic schools and home school families are encouraged to determine what the public school policy is for grade placement and granting of credits should a student decide to return to the public system. If a student attends a nonpublic or home school and returns to a public school, the public school generally reevaluates the student for grade placement and the transfer of credit. The issuance of report cards, transcripts, and diplomas are the responsibility of the nonpublic school and home school family (based on internal standards). Release of Student Records The collection of tuition and the provision of student records are a matter of contract between the school and the parent. A nonpublic school may have the right under the contract to withhold student records. Involved parties could contact an attorney to determine responsibilities. Immunizations Parent(s) must have their children immunized and present proof of immunization before a child may enter school unless religious convictions forbid parent(s) to immunize. A school must report to the local health department on the status of immunizations for new entrants by November 1 and February 1 of each school year. Beginning in the 2002-2003 school year, a parent must present to the school an immunization status for students enrolling in the 6th grade [MCL 380.1177]. For more information contact the Office of School Excellence, Department of Education, at (517) 373-7247 or the Department of Community Health at (517) 335-8159 or the local health department. Nonpublic School Closures The Department receives many calls from adults and prospective employers who are searching for copies of nonpublic school transcripts. They often face obstacles because the diploma-granting high school is no longer in operation and the student records are unobtainable. The Department does not maintain these records. Nonpublic schools should contact their central offices for specific procedures regarding storage of student records. An independent nonpublic school that does not have a central office may want to ask the intermediate school district in the region to maintain the student records. MISCELLANEOUS Assessment and Merit Award Scholarship Nonpublic schools may choose to administer a standardized assessment. The Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) is the test utilized by the State. The MEAP test is managed by the Department of Treasury and is administered at no cost to a nonpublic or home school student. For further information including testing dates and locations, contact the MEAP Office, Department of Treasury, at (517) 373-8393 or access information at: http://www.MeritAward.state.mi.us/merit/meap/index.htm. The Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Program was established by 1999 PA 94. The program is a meritbased scholarship that is based on student achievement. Under the program, a student may be eligible for a scholarship of $2,500 to $3,000 to be used at any approved postsecondary education institution. The scholarship is available to public, nonpublic, and home school students who meet the eligibility requirements. For further information regarding the Michigan Merit Award Scholarship, contact the MEAP Office, Department of Treasury, at (888) 956-3748 or at: http://www.MeritAward.state.mi.us/. 10 Accreditation Nonpublic schools may choose, but are not required, to participate in either of the following accreditation programs: Michigan Nonpublic School Accreditation North Central Accreditation Association Association University of Michigan 505 N. Capitol Avenue 950 Victors Way, Suite 50 Lansing, Michigan 48933 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108-2736 (517) 372-9315 (734) 998-9300 Discipline Policies In general, state law does not address disciplinary procedures in nonpublic schools. Michigan law prohibits the use of corporal punishment in a public school [MCL 380.1312]. In addition, Michigan law requires a public school to permanently expel a student who possesses a dangerous weapon, commits arson or criminal sexual conduct or commits physical assault against an employee or a volunteer at a public school [MCL 380.1311 and MCL 380.1311a]. Work Permit The Youth Employment Standards Act at MCL 409.104 states: “...a minor shall not be employed in an occupation regulated by this act until the person proposing to employ the minor procures from the minor and keeps on file at the place of employment a copy of the work permit or a temporary permit. The work permit shall be issued by the issuing officer of the school district, intermediate school district, public school academy, or nonpublic school at which the minor is enrolled, and a copy of the work permit shall be placed in the minor’s permanent school file for as long as the minor is employed. A temporary permit shall be valid for 10 days from the date of issue. A work permit may be issued by the school district in which the minor’s place of employment is located, or by the public school academy or nonpublic school nearest that place of employment.” For additional information, contact Diana Bailey, Department of Career Development, at (517) 373-8904. T.B. Testing Teachers are not required by the state to have regular tests for tuberculosis. However, school systems, public or nonpublic, may require regular T.B. testing of employees. Playground Equipment The Playground Equipment Safety Act, 1997 PA 16, establishes requirements for the manufacture and assembly of public playground equipment. Free tools to help evaluate play spaces include: Handbook for Public Playground Safety (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207), Parent Checklist: How Safe is Your Local Playground? (CFA Playground Checklist, P.O. Box 12099, Washington, D.C. 20005-0999, include a self-addressed stamped envelope), and National Action Plan for the Prevention of Playground Injuries (National Program for Playground Safety, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0618.) Michigan Department of Education Office of Nonpublic Schools Post Office Box 30008 Lansing, Michigan 48909 http://www.mde.state.mi.us/off/nonpublic/nonpublicqa Phone: (517) 373-1833 Fax: (517) 241-4223 Email Address: bazzettw@state.mi.us 11 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RESOURCE STAFF Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) David Brock (517) 373-0924 Academically Talented Vonda Combs (517) 373-2551 Child Care Food Program Julie Stark (517) 373-7391 Compensatory Education (Title I) Linda Brown (517) 373-3921 Curriculum Development Lindy Buch (517) 373-7248 Driver Education Greg Lantzy (517) 373-3677 Dual Enrollment Vonda Combs (517) 373-2551 Lunch and Breakfast Program Barbara Campbell (517) 373-2077 Nonpublic School Office Wanda Bazzett (517) 373-1833 School Building Construction Sue Anderson (517) 373-4013 Rehabilitation Act-Section 504 (888) 320-8384 Special Education David Brock (517) 373-0924 Title VI Linda Brown (517) 373-3921 Transportation Sue Anderson (517) 373-4013 Information about Department of Education programs is accessible through the Internet at: http://www.state.mi.us/mde. PROGRAMS AVAILABLE THROUGH OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES Safe and Drug-Free Schools Office of Drug Control Policy Judith Pasquarella (517) 373-4700 Fire Safety Department of Consumer and Industry Services Dan Dykstra (517) 322-5440 Bureau of Construction Codes Department of Consumer and Industry Services Irvin J. Poke (517) 241-9328 Child Day Care Licensing Department of Consumer and Industry Services (517) 373-8300 Michigan Educational Assessment Department of Treasury Program (MEAP) and Christine Schram MEAP High School Test (517)373-8393 Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Department of Treasury (888) 956-3748 Office of Non-Public Education U.S. Department of Education (202) 401-1365 Email Address: OIIANon-PublicEducation@ed.gov