Intergovernmental_Relations

Intergovernmental Relations A. Fiscal Federalism Fiscal Federalism exists within states as well as federal governments. States concentrate a part of their state aid to education. The law in Michigan governing compulsory attendance is tied to fiscal federalism. The law requires that the school district provide to each pupil a required 1098 hours of instruction in order to receive state aid. State appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2009-2010 are estimated at $10,718,801,700.00." (Michigan, 2009) B. Regulatory Federalism a. States Regulation This particular school code is located and created by the laws of the state of Michigan including the state aid that is regulated by the state for the school districts. The Michigan Attorney General also has stated that the school district needs to implement a policy stating that attendance will also be considered when deciding what grade a student will receive in a class. He stated that attendance must play a role in the grade given to the student. b. Mandates The state of Michigan has mandates to the school districts to meet certain mandates in order to qualify for state aid, for example each school district has to have specific number of pupil instruction in order to qualify. C. Intergovernmental Service Contracts Within this law is also the stipulation that a law enforcement officer will be contracted by the local school district or intermediate school district to enforce the policy. If necessary, the enforcement officer contacts the parents of the child and proceedings start at the court to enforce the parent to be responsible for the child not have good attendance. In fact, the parent can be charged with a misdemeanor if the parent is found guilty of neglecting to have his child attend school. D. School Districts The state board of education has taken the position to insist that the school district regulate what is an excused absence and an unexcused absence. The board also has the authority to adopt attendance policies as to the number of days a child can miss due to an illness. References Michigan, L. C. (2009). Michigan Legislative Website. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from www.legislative.mi.gov