This report is being submitted in fulfillment of the following legislative directive:
The Michigan Virtual University shall provide a report to the legislature not later than November 1 of each fiscal year for which funding is allocated under this section that includes its mission, its plans, and proposed benchmarks it must meet, including a plan to achieve the organizational priorities identified in this section, to receive full funding for the next fiscal year for which funding is allocated under this section. By not later than March 1 of each fiscal year for which funding is allocated under this section, the Michigan Virtual University shall provide an update to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on school aid to show the progress being made to meet the benchmarks identified.
Mission: Maximize learning and teaching by bringing together the best in people and technology.
Test, Evaluate Tools
Organizational Priority
2(a)(i) - Test, evaluate, and recommend as appropriate new technology-based instructional tools and resources.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will explore different applications associated with defined innovation pathways around using technology to increase instructional capacity and improve effectiveness, learner engagement and communications, access to educational technology and curriculum, and demonstrate personal and professional learning. This work will encompass exploring the impact of next-generation learning engagement platforms, safe and ethical use of digital tools in classrooms, student and professional credentials and badges, and the impact of digital learning tools on physical space and infrastructure. Bringing together interested schools, partners, and tool providers, Michigan Virtual will organize pilots to enable continuous design and iteration of digital tool use in classrooms.
Michigan Virtual will participate in an advisory role with MAISA’s MIGreatDataLake project to continue to push for interoperability of digital learner records and how it impacts the recognition and portability of student achievements and outcomes in K-12 settings as well as the impacts of AI on unstructured data usage in support of improved student outcomes.
Michigan Virtual will engage in year-round enrichment programs that explore next-generation learning platforms and offer innovative learning opportunities to students as supplemental learning in-school and out-of-school environments. These programs will be offered at a low cost through schools, community-based organizations and direct to parents interested in providing enrichment opportunities for students.
Michigan Virtual will publish posts, research articles, presentations and workshops documenting applications for creating new educator and student pathways using technology to achieve instructional goals in their online, blended, and traditional classrooms in a variety of student-centered learning models.
Michigan Virtual will pilot an ISD-developed generative AI tool built to support safe and responsible use by Michigan teachers. The pilot will evaluate the tool’s instructional value, usability, and privacy and safety safeguards across a range of district types.
Benchmarks
Explore and test the application of emergent digital tools in classroom, school and district processes and systems and share findings through in-person presentations and workshops, and online through the Michigan Virtual Professional Learning Portal and the Michigan Virtual website.
Provide at least 3 innovative pilots that allow teachers and students to have hands-on, facilitated pilot experiences on advancements in educational technology and the impact on teaching and learning.
Continue to develop career-focused catalog of enrichment experiences, deployed through a next-generation learning engagement platform direct to parents, and through Michigan Virtual’s learning platform for integration into local school digital learning systems.
Support statewide data interoperability through partnership with MiGreatDataLake.
Publish, present on, or deliver workshops on findings around the exploration and use of learning tools and resources in-person, online through the Michigan Virtual Professional Learning Portal, and on the web.
Complete a pilot with at least 100 teachers in 10 districts and publish findings with recommendations on the tool’s utility in the classroom to the Michigan Virtual website.
Research, Design, Recommend Virtual Delivery Models
Organizational Priority
2(a)(ii) - Research, design, and recommend virtual education delivery models for use by pupils and teachers that include age-appropriate multimedia instructional content.
Plans
Building on findings from the Any Time, Any Place, Any Pace research series, Michigan Virtual will conduct additional research examining the relationship between student pacing behaviors, engagement, and course outcomes. Previous findings identified important differences in student course progress emerging around week four and becoming well-established by week seven. Researchers will further investigate these patterns to better understand how early course progress may help identify students at risk of unsuccessful course outcomes and inform opportunities for timely student support.
Michigan Virtual will also build on previous research examining the importance of early engagement in online courses. Researchers will investigate the relationship between assignment submission behaviors during the first two weeks of a course and subsequent course performance. Findings will provide greater insight into the role of early assignment submissions in student success and help inform practices for teachers and mentors supporting online learners.
Additionally, Michigan Virtual will conduct research examining submission and grade patterns across automatically graded and instructor-graded assignments in asynchronous online courses. This study will explore when students complete different assignment types, whether students disproportionately complete or leave behind certain types of assignments, and how these patterns relate to course performance. Findings may inform course design, instructional practices, and student support strategies.
Michigan Virtual will continue to collaborate with Dr. Jacqueline Zweig to investigate Michigan Virtual's pacing and grading structures and their relationship to student outcomes. This work will examine the implementation and use of Michigan Virtual's grading and pacing tool, with a focus on understanding how these structures and practices may support student progress and course success. Findings from this collaborative research will be shared through Michigan Virtual publications and other appropriate channels.
Michigan Virtual will also engage Dr. Jean Sharp to present on her dissertation work related to K-12 online teaching and learning and distill recommendations that could be applied within Michigan Virtual.
Benchmarks
Design and conduct a research study examining student pacing patterns and their relationship to course outcomes, building on findings from the Any Time, Any Place, Any Pace research series.
Design and conduct a research study examining the relationship between assignment submissions during the first two weeks of an online course and student outcomes.
Design and conduct a research study examining submission and grade patterns for automatically graded and instructor-graded assignments in online courses.
Collaborate with Dr. Jacqueline Zweig to conduct research on Michigan Virtual's grading and pacing tool and its relationship to student outcomes.
Explore application of Dr. Jean Sharp’s dissertation findings.
Recommend Evaluation Criteria for Cyber and Online Providers
Organizational Priority
2(a)(iii) - Research, develop, and recommend annually to the department criteria by which cyber schools and virtual course providers should be monitored and evaluated to ensure a quality education for their pupils.
Plans
Michigan Virtual continues to collaborate with and recommend the National Standards for Quality Online Learning (NSQOL) (https://www.nsqol.org/). NSQOL includes separate quality standards for programs, teaching, and courses. Michigan Virtual also promotes the use of AccredVEd (https://accredved.org/) as an accrediting body for virtual programs. The AccredVEd process also allows for dual accreditation with Cognia.
Benchmarks
Promote the National Standards for Quality Online Learning (https://www.nsqol.org/) and provide feedback when NSQOL revises or releases standard sets.
Send letter annually to the department to communicate recommendations.
Effectiveness Report
Organizational Priority
2(a)(iv) - Based on pupil completion and performance data reported to the department or the center from cyber schools and other virtual course providers operating in this state, analyze the effectiveness of virtual learning delivery models in preparing pupils to be college- and career-ready and publish a report that highlights enrollment totals, completion rates, and the overall impact on pupils. The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall submit the report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on school aid, the state budget director, the house and senate fiscal agencies, the department, districts, and intermediate districts by not later than March 31 of each fiscal year for which funding is allocated under this section
Plans
By March 31, 2027, Michigan Virtual will produce the Effectiveness Report in a form and method consistent with the past version as it has been well-received and represents the most in-depth, state-level analysis of virtual course enrollments in the country. Like past reports, Michigan Virtual will also create an infographic summarizing key findings from the report. A link to the infographic and the report will be mailed to required recipients and published on the Michigan Virtual website. The report’s author will produce a recording that will be made available on-demand through the Michigan Virtual website.
Benchmarks
Publish the Effectiveness Report on the Michigan Virtual website by March 31, 2027, with a link to the report and infographic sent to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, the state budget director, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the department postmarked no later than March 31, 2027.
Mail an At-a-Glance Report Infographic and cover letter detailing the online report and resources to superintendents and high school and middle school principals (approximately 2,000 people) no later than April 30, 2027.
Post recording covering key findings from the report on the Michigan Virtual website by April 30, 2027.
Deliver PD and Submit PD Report
Organizational Priority
2(a)(v) - Provide an extensive professional development program to at least 30,000 educational personnel, including teachers, school administrators, and school board members, that focuses on the effective integration of virtual learning into curricula and instruction. The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute is encouraged to work with the MiSTEM council described in section 99s to coordinate professional development of teachers in applicable fields. In addition, the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute and external stakeholders are encouraged to coordinate with the department for professional development in this state, including professional development for employees in child care facilities, early childhood facilities, and after-school programs. By not later than December 1 of each fiscal year for which funding is allocated under this section, the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall submit a report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on school aid, the state budget director, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the department on the number of teachers, school administrators, and school board members who have received professional development services from the Michigan Virtual University. The report must also include both of the following:
(A) The identification of barriers and other opportunities to encourage the adoption of virtual learning in the public education system.
(B) A link to, and explanation of, the Michigan Virtual University's online course standards for professional development programming. The standards described in this sub-subparagraph must inform learners how to file a complaint about course content and detail the steps that will be taken for the review and resolution of complaints.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will continue to advance its professional development services by gathering and acting on feedback from individuals currently taking professional development courses, individuals who may be seeking professional development in the future, and from the field in general. As part of this advancement, Michigan Virtual will continue exploring the use of AI to personalize educator professional learning.
Michigan Virtual will also develop new partnerships with schools or educational groups to provide professional learning services while integrating professional learning communities to build engagement. The Michigan Virtual professional development platform will be continuously improved through course updates, new courses, and pilots to explore opportunities for more competency-based learning at scale.
Michigan Virtual will continue to host the annual event called Collaboration of the Minds (COM). COM is an annual professional development conference that serves as an opportunity to bring the large remote teaching staff of Michigan Virtual, many of whom have full-time teaching positions in local school districts, together to learn, explore, and collaborate with each other. This is an opportunity for all instructors to meet face-to-face and provides time for like-content instructors to explore best practices and strategies for supporting students. The event introduces new learning in the virtual environment, training in effective practices, and collaboration time to explore with fellow instructors. Michigan Virtual is also putting on a virtual fall event for mentors of online learners to strengthen effective practices and expand their professional learning community.
Michigan Virtual will fulfill the PD report's requirement through publishing its annual report. The report will include a section addressing identified barriers and other opportunities to encourage the adoption of virtual learning in the public education system. It will also include a link to a page on the Michigan Virtual website that identifies our online course standards for professional development programming. Along with the link, the report will document steps a learner can take to share feedback, including a complaint about course content, and outline how that feedback will be reviewed and resolved.
Benchmarks
Develop and update professional learning courses, including the exploration of AI to personalize professional learning, based on the needs of schools and districts identified through market research.
Offer professional learning partnerships to schools, districts, and educational groups.
Offer competency-based professional development courses to Michigan teachers and administrators.
Host the 2027 Collaboration of the Minds professional learning conference for instructors and a fall event for online mentors.
Submit the 2026 PD report as part of a combined annual report that also includes Michigan Virtual’s annual Institute report specified under 2(b)(xiii) and the annual report required under subsection 7 for the Michigan Virtual School no later than December 1, 2026. This is a requirement from the previous fiscal year that crosses over fiscal years.
Submit the 2027 Professional Development report detailing Michigan Virtual’s professional learning services and the identification of barriers and opportunities report by December 1, 2027.
Identify/Share Best Practices
Organizational Priority
2(a)(vi) - Identify and share best practices for planning, implementing, and evaluating virtual and blended education delivery models with intermediate districts, districts, and public school academies to accelerate the adoption of innovative education delivery models statewide.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will continue to maintain its series of guides related to online learning, which are made available to students, parents, teachers, mentors, school administrators, and school board members through the Michigan Virtual website.
Building on previous research examining student and teacher perceptions of appropriate AI use, Michigan Virtual will conduct additional research focused on student resistance to artificial intelligence in educational settings. This study will investigate why some students are hesitant or unwilling to use AI tools, including their concerns, perceptions, and experiences with AI in learning. Findings will help educators and school leaders better understand student perspectives and inform approaches to the responsible and effective use of AI in education.
Michigan Virtual will also research student use of AI learning tools embedded within online courses. This work will explore how students engage with AI-supported learning resources, their perceptions of these tools, and the relationship between AI tool use and student learning experiences and outcomes. Findings will help inform the design, implementation, and evaluation of AI learning tools in K-12 education.
As the State Affiliate for the nationally focused Digital Learning Collaborative (DLAC), Michigan Virtual will coordinate and host a minimum of four virtual State Affiliate meetings, a Michigan Meet Up at the Ignite Conference, and build greater community in the DLAC Community Portal through asynchronous posting and sharing. These networking and learning opportunities will focus on identifying and sharing innovations and effective practices for digital learning environments, including course content creation, instructional improvement, platform evaluation, and current research.
Michigan Virtual will continue to participate in Michigan education conferences, with staff presenting or exhibiting at 20 or more professional learning conferences throughout the state. Presentation and outreach activities will include sharing resources and research-based practices related to online learning, educational innovation, the adoption of digital tools, and professional learning for educators.
Benchmarks
Maintain the Michigan Virtual Guides to Online Learning series, comprised of nine guides, on the Michigan Virtual website.
Design and conduct a research study investigating student resistance to AI in educational settings.
Design and conduct a research study examining student use of AI learning tools embedded within online courses and their relationship to student experiences and outcomes.
Host four Michigan meetings of the Michigan DLAC State Affiliate.
Present or exhibit at 20 or more Michigan professional learning conferences.
Policy Recommendations to Gov./Legislature
Organizational Priority
2(b)(i) - Develop and report policy recommendations to the governor and the legislature that accelerate the expansion of effective virtual learning in this state's schools.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will provide feedback on current virtual learning policies and make recommendations that will accelerate the use of effective virtual learning in the state.
Benchmarks
Before December 31, 2026, submit virtual learning policy recommendations to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on state school aid, the state budget director, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and Michigan Department of Education.
Research Clearinghouse
Organizational Priority
2(b)(ii) - Provide a clearinghouse for research reports, academic studies, evaluations, and other information related to virtual learning.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will maintain the existing clearinghouse website (http://k12onlineresearch.org/) and add additional resources to the website throughout the fiscal year. Currently, the nationally recognized clearinghouse acts as an aggregator of K-12 online and blended research and key publications. To date, there are over 1,400 resources cataloged in the clearinghouse. On a quarterly basis, Michigan Virtual will email a clearinghouse newsletter to the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute mailing list and share it via social media to highlight resources added during that time.
Benchmarks
Create and distribute quarterly newsletters that highlight new resources and document progress toward newly added resources to the clearinghouse by the end of the fiscal year.
Continue to promote and add resources in the form of blogs, publications, webinars, and podcasts to the clearinghouse and the Michigan Virtual website.
Continue to maintain the clearinghouse platform and update as needed for improved functionality.
Promote/Distribute Instructional Design Guidelines and Standards
Organizational Priority
2(b)(iii) - Promote and distribute the most current instructional design standards and guidelines for virtual teaching.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will maintain and update the instructional design guidelines and standards tagged in the Research Clearinghouse. New instructional design resources will be added to the Clearinghouse to assist Michigan schools in developing and delivering their own digital content to students.
Michigan Virtual will also promote the National Quality Standards for Online Teaching, National Quality Standards for Online Programs, and National Quality Standards for Online Courses (https://www.nsqol.org/), which will all help to inform Michigan-based work in online and blended learning. This includes offering free online professional learning courses focused on different aspects of the national standards.
Michigan Virtual will also offer courses on instructional design and on creating digital content and effective online assessments. Michigan Virtual will submit at least two presentation proposals to Michigan-specific education conferences to promote and share best practices related to instructional design and standards of quality.
Benchmarks
Include links to instructional design guidelines and standards in the Research Clearinghouse tagged under the keywords “instructional design” and “standards.”
Add new instructional design resources to the Clearinghouse.
Promote the National Standards for Quality Online Learning by offering professional learning courses.
Promote, maintain, and support free online professional development resources to train teachers in the instructional design of online content, including through the offering of online professional courses.
Propose a session focused on instructional design best practices for at least two Michigan-based education conferences.
Work with College and Universities on Digital Learning
Organizational Priority
2(b)(iv) - In collaboration with the department and interested colleges and universities in this state, support implementation and improvements related to effective virtual learning instruction.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will make available a wide variety of online resources and courses to institutions that operate teacher and administrator preparation programs. These resources, which include digital content and professional learning related to early literacy; online, blended, and student-centered learning; and the use of open educational resources, will be available to colleges and universities through Michigan Virtual-hosted environments. In some cases, these resources may be made available in university-hosted environments.
Michigan Virtual will continue to collaborate with university entrepreneurship programs and technology accelerators / tech transfer teams to promote educational technology entrepreneurship and to catalyze teachers’ creation of new technology to solve educational challenges. This program includes a series of experiences that bring together college students, faculty, education technology entrepreneurs, and Michigan Virtual to support innovation in education throughout the state.
Where applicable, Michigan Virtual will work with educator preparation programs to help drive awareness and understanding around the impact of digital learning tools in K-12 learning.
Benchmarks
Work with interested Michigan teacher preparation institutions to coordinate access to the Michigan Virtual-hosted content, or where applicable, provide technical support for materials made available for self-hosting by the college or university.
Continue to support an educational technology entrepreneurship program to support one cohort of educators/innovators interested in developing and scaling their education technology solutions with relevant stakeholders.
Extend offers to provide presentations and workshops to interested educator preparation programs on the implementation of digital learning tools into K-12 learning.
Public/Private Partnerships
Organizational Priority
2(b)(v) - Pursue public/private partnerships that include districts to study and implement competency-based technology-rich virtual learning models.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will continue to lead conversations about digital learning throughout Michigan. Maintaining memberships and affiliations with national digital learning organizations, such as DLAC and the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance, will help gain insight into other state and national trends as they relate to key issues in digital learning, policy development, and effective program practices, in general. Michigan Virtual will gather and share such information with schools and districts throughout the state as they continue to implement digital learning opportunities for their students.
Michigan Virtual will also provide direct support to the Future of Learning Council through a professional collaboration that provides a structured environment for Michigan leaders to learn about next generation learning models, share design practices, and gain access to high-quality professional learning with other innovative school leaders. Both Michigan Virtual and the Future of Learning Council believe we have a unique opportunity to chart a new course regarding the structure of schools by blending the best of our traditional instructional models with an intentional focus on innovations in learning to better serve all children.
Michigan Virtual will continue to collaborate with national and regional technology and innovation programs to promote educational technology, edtech entrepreneurship, catalyze teachers’ creation of innovative technology to solve educational challenges, and promote high-quality educational technology development and implementations in Michigan. This includes promoting standards-based educational technology that promotes an agile, scalable, ethical & safe edtech ecosystem within K-12 districts.
Benchmarks
Maintain membership in at least two national-level organizations that advocate for and support digital learning at the K-12 level.
Collaborate with the Future of Learning Council to provide opportunities for at least 50 Michigan school leaders to learn about next generation learning models, share design practices, and gain access to high quality professional learning.
Continue to collaborate and partner with private and public sector organizations around Michigan to promote entrepreneurial activity, including an edtech accelerator program, for safe and ethical edtech development in Michigan.
Michigan Virtual will promote programs like 1EdTech’s “Trusted Apps Pledge” agreeing to a set of fair and acceptable business practices in the use of open standards by suppliers to ensure quality implementation of digital learning tools.
Accelerate the awareness and adoption of the beneficial use of digital learning tools in K-12 schools in Michigan through developing a strong network of industry partners and K-12 schools, and through offering pilots and training opportunities, to assure K-12 schools in Michigan stay current on latest developments with the technology.
Mentor Network
Organizational Priority
2(b)(vi) - Create a statewide network of school-based mentors serving as liaisons between pupils, virtual instructors, parents, and school staff, as provided by the department or the center, and provide mentors with research-based training and technical assistance designed to help more pupils be successful virtual learners.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will continue to support and strengthen its statewide network of school-based mentors through the Mentor Advisory Committee, ongoing professional learning opportunities, and collaborative engagement.
Michigan Virtual will maintain and enhance resources that support effective mentoring practices, student success in virtual learning, and state reporting requirements. Professional learning and technical assistance will address topics such as student pacing, engagement, relationship building, motivation, and strategies for supporting struggling learners. Training and resources will also be available to new mentors to support local online learning program implementation and effective mentoring practices.
Additionally, Michigan Virtual will continue to provide vendor-agnostic professional learning, networking opportunities, and regular communication to encourage the sharing of best practices and strengthen collaboration among mentors across Michigan.
Benchmarks
Facilitate the Mentor Advisory Committee to support collaboration, feedback, and continuous improvement of mentor resources and services.
Provide ongoing opportunities for statewide mentor engagement through regularly scheduled virtual Mentor Support office hours and virtual Mentor Meetup events.
Maintain monthly communication with mentors through the Mentor Minute publication, sharing timely updates, resources, and best practices.
Facilitate at least one vendor-agnostic mentor networking and professional learning events focused on sharing effective practices and strengthening statewide collaboration.
Focus Groups/Annual Surveys
Organizational Priority
2(b)(vii) - Convene focus groups and conduct annual surveys of teachers, administrators, pupils, parents, and others to identify barriers and opportunities related to virtual learning.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will collect feedback from key users and stakeholders through surveying, focus groups, and other means. Student focus groups will center on the student experience in online learning, their motivations for taking an online course, and their preferences for online or in person learning. The results will help Michigan Virtual refine its offerings and identify opportunities to improve virtual learning for students. Additionally, our AI Lab will convene a student advisory group to better understand student perspectives on the use of AI in education.
Surveys will be used with students and professionals to focus on the learner experience, their motivations, and opportunities for Michigan Virtual to improve its offerings and the outcomes for learners. The professional learning survey results will be filtered by the learner’s role (teacher, administrator, parent, support staff, etc.) to help identify and understand opportunities that may be unique to each role.
Michigan Virtual will also survey mentors of virtual students and conduct advisory committee meetings to learn from the field, gathering information on what supports work best for students in virtual learning and what does not work in terms of support, content, and systems.
Benchmarks
Convene a minimum of three focus groups of online students.
Convene a student advisory group to better understand student perspectives on the use of AI in education.
Distribute an end-of-course survey to students and professional learners taking courses through the Michigan Virtual Student Learning Portal and the Professional Learning Portal.
Distribute an end-of-year survey to mentors of students in Michigan Virtual courses.
Convene a Mentor Advisory Board twice a year where mentor annual survey feedback is used to expand resources and effective training models for mentors.
Consumer Awareness Report
Organizational Priority
2(b)(viii) - Produce an annual consumer awareness report for schools and parents about effective virtual education providers and education delivery models, performance data, cost structures, and research trends.
Plans
The Consumer Awareness resource (https://michiganvirtual.org/research/consumer awareness/) is available as an important link on the About page of Michigan's Online Course Catalog (https://micourses.org/). The report includes sections devoted to background, providers, delivery models, performance data, cost structures, research trends, virtual benchmarking tool, conclusions, and resources. Including the Consumer Awareness resource as part of Michigan’s Online Course Catalog provides high visibility for parents, students, and schools exploring Section 21f options. Data on areas such as the school districts that are putting courses in the catalog, the distribution of courses by ISD, PSA, LEA, and Michigan Virtual, and disaggregation by key variables such as who is providing the content or the instructor, are updated in the fall and in the spring to reflect the changes in those two enrollment windows.
Benchmarks
Update the Consumer Awareness resource twice annually (fall and spring).
Internet-based Platform
Organizational Priority
2(b)(ix) - Provide an internet-based platform that educators can use to create student-centric learning tools and resources for sharing in the state's open educational resource repository and facilitate a user network that assists educators in using the content creation platform and state repository for open educational resources. As part of this initiative, the Michigan Virtual University shall work collaboratively with districts and intermediate districts to establish a plan to make available virtual resources that align to Michigan's K to 12 curriculum standards for use by students, educators, and parents.
Plans
Michigan Virtual acts as a close partner with the Michigan Department of Education and the #GoOpen Michigan Strategy Team to make available a common Open Educational Resources system throughout the state. On the GoOpen Michigan website, educators can access open educational resources for modification and use in the classroom. In addition to providing leadership on the platform, Michigan Virtual also covers the cost of maintenance of this platform for continued use.
Michigan Virtual also supports educators in the creation and sharing of digital learning objects by providing courses on its Professional Learning Portal. These courses provide training to educators on how to develop their own learning objects as well as learning more about open educational resources, including how GoOpenMichigan can be leveraged for use in their classrooms.
As districts increase their reliance on digital tools, many teachers are being asked to be instructional designers, creating new learning objects to support their curriculum, and learning facilitators. To enable district staff to use digital learning objects more effectively, Michigan Virtual will continue to build content delivery platforms that allows for efficient and intuitive access to the Michigan Virtual catalog of digital curriculum objects and courses to supplement local curriculum.
Michigan Virtual will work to provide equitable statewide access to a safe and responsible ISD-developed AI tool that educators can use to create student-centric learning resources that could be shared through the state’s open educational resource repository.
Benchmarks
Provide leadership to the state’s GoOpen initiative by contributing staff who serve on the GoOpen strategy teams and sub-teams.
Make available modules on the Professional Learning Portal that address open educational resources, including the state’s GoOpen initiative.
Provide funding for maintenance of Michigan’s GoOpen hub.
Make available modules on the Professional Learning Portal that support educators in developing their own digital learning objects.
Provide support for Michigan schools to access Michigan Virtual content in multiple Learning Management Systems and provide appropriate training resources around utilization of these assets.
Provide training materials to pilot users of the ISD-developed AI tool on how to organize and share student-centered resources produced to the GoOpen repository.
Maintain Statewide Catalog of Online Courses
Organizational Priority
2(b)(x) - Create and maintain a public statewide catalog of virtual learning courses being offered by all public schools and community colleges in this state. The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall identify and develop a list of nationally recognized best practices for virtual learning and use this list to support reviews of virtual course vendors, courses, and instructional practices. The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall also provide a mechanism for intermediate districts to use the identified best practices to review content offered by constituent districts. The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall review the virtual course offerings of the Michigan Virtual University, and make the results from these reviews available to the public as part of the statewide catalog. The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute shall ensure that the statewide catalog is made available to the public on the Michigan Virtual University website and shall allow the ability to link it to each district's website as provided for in section 21f. The statewide catalog must also contain all of the following:
(A) The number of enrollments in each virtual course in the immediately preceding school year.
(B) The number of enrollments that earned 60% or more of the total course points for each virtual course in the immediately preceding school year.
(C) The pass rate for each virtual course.
Plans
Michigan Virtual continues to maintain the statewide catalog of online courses located at https://micourses.org/.The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute has worked with other leading experts across the country to develop a list of nationally recognized best practices for virtual learning programs, teachers, and courses. These sets of standards are formally known as the National Standards for Quality Online Learning (https://www.nsqol.org/). These standards have been added to the Micourses catalog and can be used by Michigan Virtual, intermediate districts and districts to report the results of their quality course review. Michigan Virtual will also submit a minimum of 10 semester-length student courses for independent course quality reviews.
Michigan Virtual offers a series of asynchronous professional development courses housed on its Professional Learning Portal in an effort to help schools understand ways in which they could develop high-quality online courses for students. These courses, aligned to the National Standards for Quality Online Courses, are titled: Online National Standards 1: Getting Started; Online National Standards 2: Course Content & Design; Online National Standards 3: Meeting Needs. These courses are available at no cost to all Michigan schools.
Toward the end of each school year, Michigan Virtual will reach out to each course provider that offered online courses that year and request their performance data for inclusion in the catalog. MV staff will upload the performance data results we receive to the Micourses website.
Lastly, Michigan Virtual will maintain the Section 21f documentation made available through the statewide catalog website.
Benchmarks
Maintain the public statewide catalog of virtual learning courses.
Include information about the National Standards for Quality Online Learning on the About page of the Micourses website.
Submit a minimum of ten MVS semester-length courses to Quality Matters for independent course quality reviews.
Implement code updates to the administrative interface.
Offer professional development courses to Michigan schools and districts specific to applying National Standards for Quality Online Courses when performing course reviews.
Send out performance data communication request and upload received results to the catalog.
Maintain Section 21f resources made available through the statewide catalog.
Support Registration, Payment Services, and Transcript Functionality to Statewide Catalog
Organizational Priority
2(b)(xi) - Support registration, payment services, and transcript functionality for the statewide catalog and train key stakeholders on how to use new features.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will continue to support the functionality of the course catalog, including providing technical and customer support for users. Michigan Virtual will also continue to maintain a public-facing knowledge base allowing catalog users to browse for instant help.
Benchmarks
Provide technical and customer support for users of the statewide catalog.
Based on customer feedback and help-desk tickets, update help documentation and user interface (when needed) to assist users to promptly resolve common issues.
Examine District Level Accountability and Teacher Effectiveness Related to Virtual Learning
Organizational Priority
2(b)(xii) - Collaborate with key stakeholders to examine district level accountability and teacher effectiveness issues related to virtual learning under section 21f and make findings and recommendations publicly available.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will continue to support teacher effectiveness and district-level accountability through a comprehensive instructor evaluation process aligned with the Danielson Framework for Teaching and Michigan Department of Education (MDE) guidelines. Utilizing the KickUp platform, Michigan Virtual will conduct evaluations of both full-time and part-time instructors, providing meaningful feedback and opportunities for continuous professional growth.
Building upon previous improvements to the evaluation process, Michigan Virtual will maintain annual evaluations for full-time instructors while utilizing a differentiated evaluation cycle for eligible part-time instructors, consistent with MDE guidance. Part-time instructors will continue to receive regular instructional walkthroughs and feedback from Lead Instructors and supervisors, regardless of their formal evaluation cycle. This approach supports instructional quality and accountability while promoting efficiency and sustainability in evaluation practices.
Michigan Virtual will continue to review and refine evaluation schedules and processes to ensure consistency, effectiveness, and appropriate distribution of evaluator responsibilities throughout the academic year.
Additionally, Michigan Virtual will develop and publicly share a brief resource highlighting key considerations and recommendations for school districts regarding accountability and teacher effectiveness in online learning environments, particularly as they relate to Section 21f.
Benchmarks
Conduct instructor evaluations using the updated Danielson Framework for Teaching and corresponding effectiveness rating categories, incorporating differentiated evaluation cycles and ongoing instructional feedback.
Review and update 1–2 page resource outlining key considerations and recommendations for district-level accountability and teacher effectiveness in virtual learning.
Institute Annual Report
Organizational Priority
2(b)(xiii) - Provide a report on the activities of the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute.
Plans
Submit required reports detailing Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute activities.
Benchmarks
By December 1, 2026, submit the combined Annual Report for the 2025-26 year.
By December 1, 2027, submit the combined Annual Report for the 2026-27 year.
Operate the Michigan Virtual School
Organizational Priority
(3) To further enhance its expertise and leadership in virtual learning, the Michigan Virtual University shall continue to operate the Michigan Virtual School as a statewide laboratory and quality model of instruction by implementing virtual and blended learning solutions for Michigan schools in accordance with the following parameters: (a) The Michigan Virtual School must maintain its accreditation status from recognized national and international accrediting entities.
Plans
Michigan Virtual successfully earned full accreditation through AccredVEd & Cognia in May 2026, meeting all 14 National Standards for Quality Online Programs and securing accreditation for a six-year term. Building upon this achievement, Michigan Virtual will review the opportunities for continuous improvement identified in the accreditation report and develop an action plan to address priority areas. Progress will be monitored and documented to support ongoing program quality and prepare for the three-year mid-cycle accreditation review in 2029.
Benchmarks
Review accreditation findings and develop an action plan addressing identified opportunities for continuous improvement.
Establish a process to monitor and document progress toward improvement priorities in preparation for the three-year mid-cycle accreditation review.
Restricted Use of Appropriation for MVS
Organizational Priority
(b) The Michigan Virtual University shall use no more than $1,000,000.00 of the amount allocated under this section to subsidize the cost paid by districts for virtual courses.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will pass a board-approved budget that caps appropriation spending for Michigan Virtual School to no more than $1M.
Benchmarks
Adopt a fiscal year 2027 budget which allocates no more than $1M to subsidize the virtual school.
Based on audited figures from the prior year, demonstrate that no more than $1M of the state allocation was used to subsidize the virtual school.
Background Checks for MVS
Organizational Priority
(c) In providing educators responsible for the teaching of virtual courses as provided for in this section, the Michigan Virtual School shall follow the requirements to request and assess, and the department of state police shall provide, a criminal history check and criminal records check under sections 1230 and 1230a of the revised school code, MCL 380.1230 and 380.1230a, in the same manner as if the Michigan Virtual School were a school district under those sections.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will conduct background checks through a private security firm that uses the FBI’s LiveScan fingerprinting process to comply with these requirements.
Benchmarks
Conduct criminal background checks on Michigan Virtual staff and maintain appropriate related documentation.
Appropriation for Expanding Online and Blended Professional Development Programs
Organizational Priority
(4) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), the Michigan Virtual University shall support the expansion of new online and blended educator professional development programs.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will continue to provide support for and collaborate with the Future of Learning Council. This will result in supporting the specific professional learning needs of district teams participating in FLC activities and creating new opportunities to use the FLC as a feedback mechanism for professional and student learning needs across the state to address personalized competency-based learning. Michigan Virtual will work with the Future of Learning Council to address areas, identified by the participating districts, to develop, test, and pilot professional learning products and services focused on instruction in virtual and blended learning environments. These collaborations will provide opportunities to increase the reach and impact of both existing and newly identified professional learning programs for Michigan teachers.
In partnership with the Future of Learning Council, Michigan Virtual will offer one virtual and one face-to-face blended and online learning professional development to prepare educators for utilizing virtual and blended learning in the classroom.
Michigan Virtual will organize a study tour for educators, administrators, and education stakeholders, to attend a national educational technology networking event around innovation in education. The purpose of this tour will be to provide opportunities to connect and participate in next generation learning models, with the intent to build a strong innovation hub in Michigan schools to drive educational change.
Michigan Virtual will continue to offer a suite of courses focused on blended and online learning and will continue to create and offer course content specific to online and blended learning.
Benchmarks
Design, test, and pilot new iterations of products and services associated with the delivery of effective professional learning for teaching in online and blended learning environments.
Provide face-to-face and online professional development to districts, in the form of workshops, presentations, and courses, on the topic of digital learning tools and their impact on teaching, learning, and other functions of schools.
Facilitate a study tour for educators, administrators, and/or education stakeholders in attending one national-level conference around innovation in educational technology.
Review and update online and blended learning courses.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab
Organizational Priority
(5) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), the Michigan Virtual University shall operate a comprehensive statewide laboratory designed to function as a hub for cutting-edge research, the identification and dissemination of best practices, rigorous experimentation, policy formulation, and proactive efforts to enhance awareness about the responsible utilization of artificial intelligence in schools.
Plans
Michigan Virtual is working to strengthen AI knowledge, literacy, and responsible implementation in Michigan schools. The work for 2026–2027 focuses on providing school leaders, educators, and students with publicly available resources and learning opportunities that support purposeful AI use in K-12 education, aligned with the Michigan Department of Education’s guidance on artificial intelligence.
Michigan Virtual will continue to facilitate the Statewide AI Workgroup, bringing together education associations and district- and school-level representatives to identify shared priorities and develop or curate resources for Michigan schools. Resources generated through this work will be made publicly available through https://ai4mi.org.
Michigan Virtual will offer free AI awareness and implementation sessions at conferences, regional meetings, and partner venues. These sessions will build AI fluency and help school personnel explore practical applications for teaching, learning, and leadership.
To strengthen local expertise, Michigan Virtual will support regional educators through the AI Ambassador program, helping them provide AI support and professional learning in their communities. The program will also offer a series of free webinars featuring educator practices and examples of responsible AI implementation.
Michigan Virtual will host three regional symposiums focused on advancing AI implementation in school districts across Michigan. These events will provide opportunities for school and district teams to engage in hands-on learning and apply ideas to local priorities.
Michigan Virtual will continue to provide accessible materials that help schools navigate responsible AI use. This work will include developing or substantially updating practical resources and resource collections that educators and leaders can use in their settings.
To support student AI literacy, Michigan Virtual will review its existing K-12 materials, identify gaps, and update resources as needed to reflect current AI developments and the needs of Michigan educators and students. Michigan Virtual will also convene a student advisory group to inform AI guidance and resources and share a summary of student perspectives.
Michigan Virtual will document and share findings from its AI Strategists' work supporting AI integration in Michigan K-12 districts and intermediate school districts (ISDs). Through a series of publications informed by conversations with district and ISD leaders and staff, Michigan Virtual will explore common challenges, emerging practices, and lessons learned from AI integration efforts. Each publication will focus on a specific theme, connect findings to Michigan Virtual's AI Integration Framework, and highlight practical strategies and resources to support responsible AI implementation across Michigan schools. Findings will be shared through the Michigan Virtual website and other appropriate channels.
Together, these activities will help Michigan schools move from AI awareness to purposeful and responsible implementation. This work supports Michigan Virtual’s strategic priorities by helping learning communities apply educational innovations and expanding access to professional learning.
Benchmarks
Facilitate the Statewide AI Workgroup on behalf of a dozen education associations and district- and school-level workgroup members. The workgroup will publish all resources created and curated to https://ai4mi.org.
Facilitate 15 free AI awareness sessions through conferences, regional meetings, or partner venues.
Support at least 10 regional leaders as AI Ambassadors, enhancing regional capacity for AI support through training, workshops, and presentations, including at least three free webinars focused on practical uses of AI in learning.
Host three regional symposiums focused on furthering AI implementation work in school districts across Michigan.
Develop or substantially update and publish at least two practical resources or resource collections on responsible AI use and distribute them through Michigan Virtual.
Review existing K-12 AI literacy materials to identify gaps and update resources as needed to reflect current AI developments and the needs of Michigan educators and students.
Convene a student advisory group to inform AI guidance and resources and develop a summary of student perspectives to support responsible AI use in schools.
Deliver a series of publications highlighting emerging practices, challenges, and lessons learned from AI integration efforts in Michigan districts and ISDs.
MVS Catalog
Organizational Priority
(6) If the course offerings are included in the statewide catalog of virtual courses under subsection (2)(b)(x), the Michigan Virtual School operated by the Michigan Virtual University may offer virtual course offerings, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Information technology courses.
(b) College level equivalent courses, as that term is defined in section 1471 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1471.
(c) Courses and dual enrollment opportunities.
(d) Programs and services for at-risk pupils.
(e) High school equivalency test preparation courses for adjudicated youth.
(f) Special interest courses.
(g) Professional development programs for teachers, school administrators, other school employees, and school board members.
Plans
Michigan Virtual offers around 240 online courses, taught by Michigan certified teachers, for middle school and high school students in a wide variety of subjects that fulfill grade level and high school graduation requirements, other elective offerings, credit recovery, and Advanced Placement courses. Michigan Virtual also provides opportunities for postsecondary credit attainment, preparation for industry-recognized career certifications, personalized, independent study and research coursework and access to online courses and content that can be taught by local educators.
Benchmarks
Continue to offer around 240 teacher-facilitated online courses for middle school and high school student enrollment.
Home-Schooled and Nonpublic Students
Organizational Priority
(7) If a home-schooled or nonpublic school student is a resident of a district that subscribes to services provided by the Michigan Virtual School, the student may use the services provided by the Michigan Virtual School to the district without charge to the student beyond what is charged to a district pupil using the same services.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will continue to adhere to this requirement. Michigan Virtual makes available its courses to Michigan home-schooled or nonpublic students at the advertised base rate. Michigan Virtual pricing is available at https://michiganvirtual.org/students/pricing/.
Benchmarks
Produce 2026-27 pricing with no additional charges for a home-school or nonpublic school student.
MVS Annual Report
Organizational Priority
(8) By not later than December 1 of each fiscal year for which funding is allocated under this section, the Michigan Virtual University shall provide a report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on school aid, the state budget director, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the department that includes at least all of the following information related to the Michigan Virtual School for the preceding fiscal year:
(a) A list of the districts served by the Michigan Virtual School.
(b) A list of virtual course titles available to districts.
(c) The total number of virtual course enrollments and information on registrations and completions by course.
(d) The overall course completion rate percentage.
Plans
Submit the report detailing Michigan Virtual School activities for 2025-26 school year as part of an annual report that also includes the Michigan Virtual’s professional development report specified under 2(a)(v) and the Institute annual report required under 2(b)(xiii) no later than December 1, 2026.
Benchmarks
Publish Annual Report no later than December 1, 2026.
MVS Schools Served
Organizational Priority
(9) In addition to the information listed in subsection (8), the report under subsection (8) must also include a plan to serve at least 600 schools with courses from the Michigan Virtual School or with content available through the internet-based platform identified in subsection (2)(b)(ix).
Plans
Michigan Virtual plans to serve over 600 schools through the Michigan Virtual School and the internet-based platform. Our student programming offers online courses for around 240 middle school and high school titles. Our internet-based platform includes support for the #GoOpen Michigan initiative (https://goopenmichigan.org/). The #GoOpen Michigan website has thousands of registered educators who represent many schools throughout the state.
Benchmarks
Serve at least 600 Michigan schools through the Michigan Virtual School or our internet-based platform efforts.
Advisory Board
Organizational Priority
(10) The governor may appoint an advisory group for the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute established under subsection (2). The members of the advisory group serve at the pleasure of the governor and without compensation. The purpose of the advisory group is to make recommendations to the governor, the legislature, and the president and board of the Michigan Virtual University that will accelerate innovation in this state's education system in a manner that will prepare elementary and secondary students to be career and college ready and that will promote the goal of increasing the percentage of residents of this state with high-quality degrees and credentials to at least 60% by 2030.
Plans
Since this section pertains to the actions of the Governor’s office, no plan has been created by Michigan Virtual.
MVS Budget Costs
Organizational Priority
(11) By not later than November 1 of each fiscal year for which funding is allocated under this section, the Michigan Virtual University shall submit to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on school aid, the state budget director, and the house and senate fiscal agencies a detailed budget for that fiscal year that includes a breakdown on its projected costs to deliver virtual educational services to districts and a summary of the anticipated fees to be paid by districts for those services. By not later than March 1 each fiscal year for which funding is allocated under this section, the Michigan Virtual University shall submit to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on school aid, the state budget director, and the house and senate fiscal agencies a breakdown on its actual costs to deliver virtual educational services to districts and a summary of the actual fees paid by districts for those services based on audited financial statements for the immediately preceding fiscal year.
Plans
Michigan Virtual will continue to submit the required materials in accordance with the identified deadlines.
Benchmarks
No later than November 1, 2026, submit a detailed budget for 2026-27 fiscal year that includes a breakdown on Michigan Virtual’s projected costs to deliver virtual educational services to districts and a summary of the anticipated fees to be paid by districts for those services.
No later than March 1, 2027, submit a breakdown on Michigan Virtual’s actual costs to deliver virtual educational services to districts and a summary of the actual fees paid by districts for those services based on audited financial statements for the immediately preceding fiscal year.
For work from past years, please see our Annual Reports page.