Michigan High School Graduation Requirements

August 2006

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• Our students face both national and international competition

• Research shows many students are not prepared to succeed in college or workplace

• Courses like Algebra II are new gateway to higher paying jobs – True for Milan High!

• Michigan’s economic success is tied to a well-educated workforce

Why…Economic Survival

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History of High School Requirements

• Legislation signed by Governor Granholm on April 20, 2006 created a set of rigorous high school requirements

• State graduation requirements become most comprehensive in nation

• New requirements effective Class of 2011 except for Languages other than English: 2016

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Successful High School Programs

• High expectations

• Rigorous requirements

• Academic studies applied to real-world situations and projects

• Challenging career/technical studies

• Work-based learning opportunities

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Overview of Michigan Merit Curriculum

2011 Requirements (2006 8th grade class)– 4 English Language Arts– 4 Mathematics (1 in senior year)– 3 Science– 3 Social Studies– 1 Physical Education/Health– 1 Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts– On-line course/experience

2016 Requirements (2006 3rd grade class)– 2 credits/experience in Languages other than

English

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MHS Current Requirements

• 4.5 years of English (Speech)• 3 years of Math, Science• 4 years of Social Studies • 1 credit of PE (half waived for participation)• Half Credit of Advisory, Technology, Health• 5 Credits of Pathways (Jr. & Sr. Year)• Completion of MEAP test (Student must earn

a 1 or 2, or continue to attempt)

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Changes affecting MHS

• Science– Biology,

Chem/Physics vs. Life/Physical Sciences

• Math– Algebra II

requirement– Math in Senior Year

• Visual/Fine/Applied– vs. Career Pathways

Credits

• Social Studies– Geography concern

• PE– Credit for Participation

• Earning Credits at MMS, Symons, Etc

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Michigan Merit Curriculum• The Michigan Merit Curriculum represents the credits

required for graduation in specific subject areas and learning experiences

– Course/Credit Content Expectations for:English Language Arts (9 & 10 approved / 11 & 12 by January)Mathematics (approved)Science (approval pending)Social Studies (July 2007)

– Subject Area/Learning Experience Guidelines for:Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts (approved)Physical Education/Health (approved)Online Learning (pending approval)Languages other than English (2007)

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Online Requirement

• Requirement: No credit by law requires online learning experience

• Guidelines for this learning experience have been developed– Credit or non-credit course or learning experience

OR…

– District has integrated online learning into each credit area required for graduation

• MDE identifies basic level of technology and internet access for requirement to be in effect

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Languages Other Than English• Required for 2016:

– 2 credits in high school

OR..

– Course work or other learning experiences prior to/during high school (K-12)

• American Sign Language (ASL) and Heritage Languages qualify toward this requirement

• Requirement may be met on-line

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Performance Matters

What’s New

• Meet or exceed content expectations

• Perform and demonstrate competency

• Assign credit based on meeting expectations

Currently

• Pass or fail

• Seat time

• Individual courses

What We Know

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Courses vs. CreditsStudent earns credit by:

• Successfully completing the learning expectations in the Course/Credit Content Expectations for the credit area

• Successful completion to be determined, in part, by state or local district assessments

• “Testing out” allowed based on earning qualifying score on state or local assessments

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Courses vs. Credits, cont’d.

• Credit requirement can be met in variety of ways and in other courses

– Career Technical Education

– Community based learning

– Independent study/project work

• High school credit may be earned for high school level courses taken prior to high school

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Courses vs. Credits, cont’d.

• Legislation does not prohibit student satisfying credit requirements through:– Dual enrollment– Advanced Placement– International Baccalaureate– Other “early college” experiences or

programs

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Personal Curriculum

• Must meet high school requirements except as designated by law

• Graduation requirements may be modified through the “Personal Curriculum”

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Personal Curriculum

• Developed by team comprised of: the student, parent/guardian, high school counselor or staff member designated by principal

• No age or grade level specified

• Should incorporate as much of graduation requirements as practicable

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Personal Curriculum, cont’d.

• Shall include measurable goals and evaluation

• Aligned with student’s Educational Development Plan (EDP from 7th grade)

• Final plan must be approved by parents and district superintendent

• Parents must communicate with teachers once each quarter to assess progress

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Personal CurriculumCredits Subject Area Description Personal Curriculum

(Modification)

4 Credits

English Language Arts

Aligned with subject area content expectations developed by the Department and approved by the State Board of Education

No modification

4 Credits

Mathematics Algebra IGeometry Algebra II1 additional math or math-related credit Math or math-related credit in the final year

All students must:•Complete at least 3.5 math or math-related credits •Complete a math or math-related credit in the final yearAlgebra 2 modification options:•Complete 2.5 credits including .5 credit of Algebra IIOR•Complete a two year Career and Technical education curriculum which includes .5 credit of Algebra II contentOR•Complete Algebra 2 over 2 years with credit given for each year

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Personal Curriculum

3 Credits Science BiologyChemistry or Physics1 additional Science

credit

No modification

3 Credits Social Studies .5 Civics.5 EconomicsUS History and

GeographyWorld History and

Geography

No modification of Civics2 credits must be earnedModified only if student takes additional credit(s) beyond the required credits in English Language Arts, Math, Science, or World Languages

1 Credit Health and Physical Education

Credit guidelines developed by the Michigan Department of Education

Modification only if student takes additional credit(s) beyond the required credits in English Language Arts, Math, Science, or World Languages

Credits Subject Area Description Personal Curriculum(Modification)

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Personal CurriculumCredits Subject Area Description Personal Curriculum

(Modification)

1 Credit Visual, Performing, Applied Arts

Credit guidelines developed by the Michigan Department of Education

Modification only if student takes additional credit(s) beyond the required credits in English Language Arts, Math, Science, or World Languages

2 Credits World Languages

Begins with the Class of 2016Credits earned in grades 9-12 ORAn equivalent learning experience in grades K-12

No modification

Online Learning Experience

Online course or learning experienceOROnline experience is incorporated into each of the required credits

No modification

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Special Education

• All graduation requirements apply

• Student’s IEP supports the student to achieve graduation

• The IEP must identify the appropriate supports to successfully complete the Michigan Merit Curriculum or through a Personal Curriculum

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Support for Students At Risk

Students at risk of failure or dropping out

• District must provide parents information on tutoring, support, counseling services that are available, such as:

– 31A programs/services

– Services required through NCLB (if school receives Title 1 funds)

– Other school/district-based services

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School Accreditation

• State accreditation of high schools dependent upon schools providing opportunities to meet all graduation requirements

• Beginning 2008-09 school year, no high school will be accredited unless such opportunities are provided

• Law provides for consequences for schools failing to be accredited for 3 consecutive years

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MDE Obligations, cont’d.

• Within 3 years develop or select and approve assessments that may be used by the district for the Course/Credit requirements (at a minimum) in:– English Language Arts– Mathematics– Science– Social Studies

• Develop guidelines for applications for “specialty schools”

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District Obligations, cont’d.

• Graduation credit areas taught by “highly qualified” (NCLB) teachers

• Notice to parents of students failing or in danger of dropping out

• Basic technology and internet access in place to support on-line requirement

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MAS’s Next Steps

• Build MAS Graduation Plan for students in 2011 and beyond!

• Move from current graduation requirements to new requirement!

• Form committee with all voices invested in the process!

• Bring community plan to school board this spring!

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Graduation Requirements

• Questions???

• Volunteers – come on up and sign in!

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Find Information on WebMichigan.gov/highschool (with link to HSCE site)http://www.michigan.gov/highschool

Michigan.gov/hsce http://www.michigan.gov/hsce

Michigan.gov/oeaa (MME/ACT information)http://michigan.gov/oeaa

Michigan.gov/mathematics (mathematics resources)http://www.michigan.gov/mathematics

ACT.org (policy makers) On Course for Successhttp://www.act.org/path/policy/pdf/success_report.pdf

ACT.org (policy makers) Reading Between the Lineshttp://www.act.org/path/policy/reports/reading.html

ACT.org (College Readiness Standards)http://www.act.org/standard/index.html