The MDE has announced that application for State Fiscal Stabilization Fund - Education Stabilization Funds (ESF) will be available June 10, 2009.

The purpose of the ESF funds, as described by the MDE, is “to save and create jobs and to advance essential education reforms to benefit students from early learning through post-secondary education," including:

1. College- and career- ready standards and high-quality, valid and reliable assessments for all students;
2. Development and use of pre-K through postsecondary and career data systems;
3. Increasing teacher effectiveness and ensuring an equitable distribution of qualified teachers; and
4. Turning around the lowest-performing schools.

Applications must be submitted using the Michigan Electronic Grants System (MEGS) no later than July 31, 2009. If an LEA does not submit an application by July 31, 2009, the LEA will not receive FY 2009 ESF grant funds.

The application will be submitted online using MEGS at: http://megs.mde.state.mi.us/megs

Access the ESF information including allocation amounts and application information beginning on June 10, 2009, at www.michigan.gov/mde-grants. The information will be under the “What’s New” header.

Questions may be submitted by email to mdestabilization@michigan.gov or by phone at 517.373.1806.