Detroit — Catholic and other non-public schools will see enhanced “shared time”services, according to language included in the 2010-11 K-12 School Aid Budget that passed the Michigan Legislature before it broke for the July 4 holiday.

The Michigan Catholic Conference reported that the legislation provides for charter schools to be able to furnish the same elective educational services to non-public schools that traditional public schools already do.

Shared-time programs were first authorized by the Legislature in 1979, and allow public school districts to provide elective course instruction within non-public schools.

“The agreement is a win-win situation for public and non-public schools alike, as the host public school receives pro-rated foundation allowance from the state, while the Catholic or (other) non-public school is able to keep tuition down while providing additional courses for their students,” the MCC said in a statement on its Web site, www.micatholicconference.com.

The House-Senate conference report for the 2010-11 School Aid Budget passed the House of Representatives95-6 and the State Senate 35-1.

The Lansing-based MCC is the public policy voice for all seven Catholic dioceses in the state.