21f

What is 21f?

Did you know Michigan students have the legal right to take online courses?

In 2013, the Michigan Legislature expanded student access to digital learning options through Section 21f. As a result, students in grades 6-12 enrolled in a public-school academy (PSA) or public local district (including students enrolled through a district on a part-time basis, such as those participating in a shared-time program) are eligible to enroll in up to two online courses during an academic term. It should be noted that districts do have the ability to deny the enrollment of K-5 students in online classes.

A student may be enrolled in more than two online courses if the student’s primary district determines that it is in the student’s best interest, the student agrees with the recommendation of the district, and the district and student have developed an education development plan that is kept on file by the district. Michigan's Online Learning Law | Michigan Virtual

Interested in Pursuing 21f Courses With GATE?

GATE offers virtual sessions of CHAMP (grade 9-12 curriculum) and ISHALL (grade 9-12 English language, and literature arts curriculum) in the Michigan Virtual 21f catalog.

For gifted students who need double acceleration in math or English, GATE provides a virtual synchronous opportunity to complete four years of curriculum in half the time (four semesters/two years). GATE students complete one year of typical classroom curriculum in one semester. GATE provides live classrooms with scheduled tutoring for all students to study and ask questions.

GATE academic year (AY) programs are intended to be completed in order, in totality. Students may not leave the program early, or start a program midway through the cohort.

Why Choose CHAMP?

CHAMP, in partnership with the Department of Mathematics and Office of University Outreach and Engagement at Michigan State University, provides classroom instruction for qualified mathematically gifted students in grades 6-9 when applying.

CHAMP is designed so that the participating students will complete in two years the math content assigned in Michigan High School Content Expectations (HSCE) for all four years of high school as well as meet the Common Core National Standards.

Why Choose ISHALL?

ISHALL, in partnership with the Department of English, the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures, and Office of University Outreach and Engagement at Michigan State University provides classroom instruction for qualified middle school students in grades 6-10 when applying. ISHALL is designed so that the participating students will complete in two years the English content assigned in Michigan High School Content Expectations (HSCE) for all four years of high school as well as meet the Common Core National Standards.

Students study a wide range of texts and media in literature and the humanities including novels, biographies, plays, poetry, and film. Students will also be exposed to a variety of different historical movements and types of literature, such as romanticism, enlightenment, Shakespearean drama, and comedy, in addition to modern works.

Because students are studying typical high school literature content, ISHALL curiculum may contain mature content that is not appropriate for all students. Parents need to review the sample curriculum and determine if their student is ready for ISHALL.

Does My School Have to Approve?

This option is limited to online classes the district offers or that are listed within the state online course catalog available at https://micourses.org.  While all of these classes have been reviewed from each sponsoring local district, your school must approve the classes chosen.

What Else Do I Need to Discuss With My School/District?

Grades and transcripts will be sent to the student’s school of record. It is up to the school/district to determine how the grades are integrated into the student’s GPA and how it is displayed on the student’s final report cards. Schools/districts may dictate prerequisites before allowing a student to enroll in a 21f class.

Additional essential roles of students, families, and the school district can be found here. This page should be reviewed in total with district personnel prior to applying for a GATE program as it includes details about scheduling, paying, and how credit will be awarded.

Where Do I Choose the GATE class?

Michigan's Online Course Catalog - Search Local & Statewide

For mathematics, search “CHAMP”

For English, search “ISHALL”

For all GATE offerings, search "GATE"

Students should be knowledgeable with GATE application and class requirements.

How to Apply to a GATE Program

GATE applications open by mid-January every year. The first deadline is early May and if there are still seats available in any sessions, a later summer deadline will be extended for Academic Year programs. Students opting into 21f, must contact their districts and must complete the GATE AY program application the same as all GATE applicants. Families who submit their completed application by the May deadline will be informed by late May about their application decision. Those who apply after the deadline will be informed on a rolling weekly basis.

Cost

Course Payment Ceiling

A district is not required to pay toward the cost of an online course an amount that exceeds 6.67% of the state’s minimum foundation allowance or per pupil funds calculated in the State School Aid Act for the current fiscal year.

Some school districts may operate under a traditional six-hour schedule and others may employ a modified block schedule. Regardless of the district’s schedule, it may not establish a payment ceiling for online courses that is different from the 6.67% payment rule outlined in Section 21f.

The family will bear any cost above the amount paid by the district. The family will also bear the cost of any online course taken in addition to the student’s full-time class schedule.

GATE classes may not be taken in conjunction with other corresponding disciplines at the same time. For example, if a student enrolls in GATE’s CHAMP program, the student can not be taking a mathematics class at their home school.

Paying for Online Courses

Under Section 21f, school districts are required to use their foundation allowance or per pupil funds to “pay for expenses associated with the online course or courses” and to cover the “cost of the online course.” The cost of an online course is tied to the direct expenses associated with paying for it through enrollment/tuition fees and includes required course materials such as learning kits, calculators, or textbooks that are in addition to the enrollment/tuition fees. Section 21f identifies the maximum amount districts are required to pay for the enrollment/completion of online courses available in the statewide catalog.

Qualifying applicants for CHAMP and ISHALL will be responsible for paying program tuition fees upon acceptance. GATE will invoice districts annually and once payment is recieved from the district, families will be reimbursed any cost covered by the district.

Families are responsible for any testing and application fees.

See full GATE costs here.

Other

Information presented is subject to change without notice. Please use links provided to verify all information before applying.
GATE offers virtual options of AY courses every application season. However, cohorts are subject to minimum enrollment restrictions. If a course does not get the required number of accepted students, it will be joined with the cohort that has met the required enrollment.