Michigan’s Michigan’s High High School School Graduation Graduation RequirementsRequirements

Guide for ParentsGuide for ParentsAugust 2010August 201055thth Edition Edition

““When we hold our kids to higher standards, they When we hold our kids to higher standards, they will do great things. … If Michigan is to compete will do great things. … If Michigan is to compete

in a global economy, we must have the best in a global economy, we must have the best educated workforce in the nation to attract jobs educated workforce in the nation to attract jobs and investment to our state. This new and investment to our state. This new

challenging curriculum will help ensure that challenging curriculum will help ensure that every student in Michigan is prepared for every student in Michigan is prepared for college or technical training when they finish college or technical training when they finish high school.” high school.”

State of Michigan Governor State of Michigan Governor Jennifer M. GranholmJennifer M. Granholm April 2006April 2006

“ “Michigan has long been regarded as a national Michigan has long been regarded as a national leader in education and we want to remain as leader in education and we want to remain as the state that others in the nation and the world the state that others in the nation and the world look to as the model for educational excellence look to as the model for educational excellence and innovation. I firmly believe that the and innovation. I firmly believe that the adoption and implementation of these adoption and implementation of these recommendations … will set Michigan on the recommendations … will set Michigan on the road to reclaim its prominence as a world leader road to reclaim its prominence as a world leader in education.”in education.”

Superintendent of Public Instruction Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael P. FlanaganMichael P. Flanagan April 2006April 2006

““This change is absolutely necessary. WithThis change is absolutely necessary. With the evolving economy and global the evolving economy and global

pressurespressures on what education and skills students willon what education and skills students will need for the jobs of today and tomorrow, need for the jobs of today and tomorrow, we needed to act now.”we needed to act now.”

State Board of Education President State Board of Education President Kathleen N. StrausKathleen N. Straus April 2006April 2006

Parent Guide Parent Guide DistributionDistribution Sent by Macomb Intermediate Sent by Macomb Intermediate

School District to each district in School District to each district in OctoberOctober

Distributed by each district to Distributed by each district to students and parentsstudents and parents

Disseminated through plan Disseminated through plan determined by individual districtsdetermined by individual districts

Important Notice:Important Notice:

Information is subject to changeInformation is subject to change For the most current information, For the most current information,

go to go to www.misd.netwww.misd.net Under Quick Links, click on High Under Quick Links, click on High

School Graduation RequirementsSchool Graduation Requirements

Parent Guide’s FormatParent Guide’s Format

What you need to know about…What you need to know about… Michigan’s High School Graduation Michigan’s High School Graduation

RequirementsRequirements IntroductionIntroduction Key ConceptsKey Concepts Michigan Merit Curriculum – High Michigan Merit Curriculum – High

School Graduation Requirements School Graduation Requirements ChartChart

Requirements by Department Requirements by Department

Parent Guide’s Format Parent Guide’s Format (continued)(continued)Additional information is provided on:Additional information is provided on: Career and Technical Education Career and Technical Education

(CTE)(CTE) Educational Development Plan (EDP)Educational Development Plan (EDP) Personal Curriculum (PC)Personal Curriculum (PC) How Credit is GrantedHow Credit is Granted Key Terms (Glossary – terms are Key Terms (Glossary – terms are

defined that appear in bold type defined that appear in bold type throughout the guide)throughout the guide)

Michigan Merit Michigan Merit CurriculumCurriculumThe graduation requirements are The graduation requirements are

called the called the Michigan Merit Michigan Merit CurriculumCurriculum..

Proposed to the State Board of Proposed to the State Board of Education in November 2005Education in November 2005

Adopted by the State Board of Education Adopted by the State Board of Education in December 2005in December 2005

Enacted as law by the State Legislature Enacted as law by the State Legislature in March 2006in March 2006

Signed by the Governor in April 2006Signed by the Governor in April 2006

Impact of State LawImpact of State Law

The State of Michigan has now set the The State of Michigan has now set the number of credits in each subject number of credits in each subject area, and, in many cases, specified area, and, in many cases, specified the specific courses that must be the specific courses that must be taken in English, mathematics, taken in English, mathematics, science, social studies, science, social studies, health/physical education, the arts health/physical education, the arts (visual, performing, and applied), and (visual, performing, and applied), and world languages. An online learning world languages. An online learning experience is also required.experience is also required.

Ten Key ConceptsTen Key Concepts

Requirements apply to ALL studentsRequirements apply to ALL students Local Boards of Education may add to, Local Boards of Education may add to,

but cannot reduce, the requirementsbut cannot reduce, the requirements Limited modifications allowed, but no Limited modifications allowed, but no

“opt out” provision“opt out” provision Requirements can be met in any Requirements can be met in any

school day schedule set by districtschool day schedule set by district Room is left in student’s high school Room is left in student’s high school

schedule for electivesschedule for electives

Ten Key ConceptsTen Key Concepts (continued)(continued) Accelerated, honors, AP and IB classes count Accelerated, honors, AP and IB classes count

toward meeting requirementstoward meeting requirements Students struggling with or failing required Students struggling with or failing required

classes can get help to succeedclasses can get help to succeed A Personal Curriculum is a consideration A Personal Curriculum is a consideration

after all other options have been attemptedafter all other options have been attempted All public school teachers were “highly All public school teachers were “highly

qualified” as of June 2006qualified” as of June 2006 Students will be prepared for new Students will be prepared for new

requirements based on comprehensive plan requirements based on comprehensive plan for K-12 curriculumfor K-12 curriculum

Michigan Merit Michigan Merit CurriculumCurriculum

Michigan Department of Education Michigan Department of Education High School Graduation High School Graduation Requirements ChartRequirements Chart

Subject Area Credit RequirementsSubject Area Credit Requirements Personal Curriculum (PC) Personal Curriculum (PC)

ModificationsModifications Notes added by MISD Notes added by MISD

English Language English Language ArtsArts

4 credits4 credits● Aligned to state content Aligned to state content

expectations developed by the expectations developed by the Michigan Department of Education Michigan Department of Education and approved by the State Board of and approved by the State Board of EducationEducation

English Language ArtsEnglish Language Arts(continued)(continued)

● English 9, 10, 11 and 12 courses English 9, 10, 11 and 12 courses

should include opportunities for should include opportunities for students to meet the 91 students to meet the 91 expectations included in the 14 expectations included in the 14 standards and four strands toward standards and four strands toward the grade-designated disposition.the grade-designated disposition.

English Language Arts English Language Arts Personal Curriculum Personal Curriculum (Modifications)(Modifications) No modification for general No modification for general

education students (two exceptions)education students (two exceptions) Modification allowed for students Modification allowed for students

with an Individualized Education Plan with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)(IEP)

Modification allowed for transfer Modification allowed for transfer students who have completed two students who have completed two years of high school out-of-state or years of high school out-of-state or at a non-public school at a non-public school

English Language Arts English Language Arts High School Content High School Content Expectations (HSCE)Expectations (HSCE) www.michigan.gov/mdewww.michigan.gov/mde Click on the High School Graduation Click on the High School Graduation

Requirements picture on the top rowRequirements picture on the top row Scroll down to Scroll down to CurriculumCurriculum and click and click

on on English Language ArtsEnglish Language Arts Click on Click on English Grade 9English Grade 9,, English English

Grade 10Grade 10, , English Grade 11English Grade 11 and and English Grade 12 English Grade 12 under under Course/Credit RequirementsCourse/Credit Requirements

MathematicsMathematics

4 credits4 credits● Algebra 1 Algebra 1 ● Geometry Geometry ● Algebra 2Algebra 2● OR 3 credits – Integrated Sequence OR 3 credits – Integrated Sequence

with same course content with same course content ● 1 additional math or math-related 1 additional math or math-related

creditcredit● 1 credit must be in final year1 credit must be in final year

Mathematics Personal Mathematics Personal Curriculum Curriculum (Modifications)(Modifications)

1 credit of Algebra II may be modified to ½ 1 credit of Algebra II may be modified to ½ credit of Algebra II, Statistics or Functions credit of Algebra II, Statistics or Functions and Data Analysisand Data Analysis

Modification allowed after completion of 9Modification allowed after completion of 9thth grade grade

Modification allowed for students with an Modification allowed for students with an IEPIEP

Modification allowed for transfer students Modification allowed for transfer students who have completed two years of high who have completed two years of high school out-of-state or at a non-public schoolschool out-of-state or at a non-public school

Mathematics Personal Mathematics Personal Curriculum Curriculum (Modifications)(Modifications)

All Students:All Students: Complete at least 3.5 math or Complete at least 3.5 math or

math-related creditsmath-related credits Complete a math or math-related Complete a math or math-related

credit in the final yearcredit in the final year

Mathematics High School Mathematics High School Content Expectations Content Expectations (HSCE)(HSCE)

www.michigan.gov/mdewww.michigan.gov/mde Click on the High School Graduation Click on the High School Graduation

Requirements picture on the top rowRequirements picture on the top row Scroll down to Scroll down to CurriculumCurriculum and click and click

on on MathematicsMathematics Click on Click on Algebra IAlgebra I, , Algebra IIAlgebra II and and

Geometry Geometry under under Course/CreditCourse/Credit RequirementsRequirements

ScienceScience

3 credits3 credits● BiologyBiology● Chemistry or PhysicsChemistry or Physics● 1 additional science credit1 additional science credit

Science Personal Science Personal Curriculum Curriculum (Modifications)(Modifications) No modification for general No modification for general

education students (two education students (two exceptions)exceptions)

Modification allowed for students Modification allowed for students with an IEPwith an IEP

Modification allowed for transfer Modification allowed for transfer students who have completed two students who have completed two years of high school out-of-state or years of high school out-of-state or at a non-public schoolat a non-public school

Science High School Science High School Content Expectations Content Expectations (HSCE)(HSCE) www.michigan.gov/mdewww.michigan.gov/mde Click on the High School Click on the High School

Graduation Requirements picture Graduation Requirements picture on the top rowon the top row

Scroll down to Scroll down to CurriculumCurriculum and and click on click on ScienceScience

Click on Click on BiologyBiology, , ChemistryChemistry and and Physics Physics above above What’s NewWhat’s New

Social StudiesSocial Studies

3 credits3 credits● U.S. History and GeographyU.S. History and Geography● World History and GeographyWorld History and Geography● .5 Civics.5 Civics● .5 Economics.5 Economics

Social Studies Personal Social Studies Personal Curriculum Curriculum (Modifications)(Modifications)

2 credits must be earned before PC2 credits must be earned before PC No modification of CivicsNo modification of Civics Modified only if students take an additional Modified only if students take an additional

credit beyond the required credits in English credit beyond the required credits in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science or World Language Arts, Mathematics, Science or World LanguagesLanguages

Modification allowed for students with an IEPModification allowed for students with an IEP Modification allowed for transfer students who Modification allowed for transfer students who

have completed two years of high school out-of-have completed two years of high school out-of-state or at a non-public school state or at a non-public school

Social Studies High Social Studies High School Content School Content Expectations (HSCE)Expectations (HSCE)

www.michigan.gov/mdewww.michigan.gov/mde Click on the High School Graduation Click on the High School Graduation

Requirements picture on the top rowRequirements picture on the top row Scroll down to Scroll down to CurriculumCurriculum and click and click

on on Social StudiesSocial Studies Click on Click on Social Studies High School Social Studies High School

Content ExpectationsContent Expectations under under Course/Credit RequirementsCourse/Credit Requirements

Health and Physical Health and Physical EducationEducation1 credit1 credit● Credit guidelines developed Credit guidelines developed

by the Michigan Department by the Michigan Department of Educationof Education

● .5 Health.5 Health● .5 Physical Education .5 Physical Education

Health and Physical Health and Physical Education Personal Education Personal Curriculum Curriculum (Modifications)(Modifications) Modification allowed if students take an Modification allowed if students take an additional credit beyond the required credits additional credit beyond the required credits in English Language Arts, Mathematics, in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science or World LanguagesScience or World Languages

Modification allowed for students with an IEPModification allowed for students with an IEP Modification allowed for transfer students Modification allowed for transfer students

who have completed two years of high who have completed two years of high school out-of-state or at a non-public school school out-of-state or at a non-public school

Health and Physical Health and Physical Education Personal Education Personal Curriculum Curriculum (Modifications)(Modifications) Consideration: A previous law remains in effect Consideration: A previous law remains in effect requiring students who are physically fit and requiring students who are physically fit and capable to take a physical education course. capable to take a physical education course.

(MCL 380.1502, Sec. 1502 (1) Health and (MCL 380.1502, Sec. 1502 (1) Health and physical education for pupils of both sexes physical education for pupils of both sexes shall be established and provided in all public shall be established and provided in all public schools of this state. Subject to subsection (2), schools of this state. Subject to subsection (2), each pupil attending public school in this each pupil attending public school in this state who is physically fit and capable of state who is physically fit and capable of doing so shall take the course in physical doing so shall take the course in physical education.education.))

Health and Physical Health and Physical Education High School Education High School Credit GuidelinesCredit Guidelines

www.michigan.gov/mdewww.michigan.gov/mde Click on the High School Graduation Click on the High School Graduation

Requirements picture on the top rowRequirements picture on the top row Scroll down to Scroll down to CurriculumCurriculum and click on and click on Health Health

– Physical Education– Physical Education Click on Click on Approved Revised Michigan Merit High Approved Revised Michigan Merit High

School Credit Guidelines for Physical Education, School Credit Guidelines for Physical Education, Companion Documents and Power Points Companion Documents and Power Points and and Merit Curriculum Credit Guidelines for Health Merit Curriculum Credit Guidelines for Health Education approved by the Michigan State Education approved by the Michigan State Board of Education February 13,Board of Education February 13, 20072007 under under What’s NewWhat’s New

Visual, Performing, Visual, Performing, and Applied Artsand Applied Arts1 credit1 credit● Credit guidelines developed by Credit guidelines developed by

the Michigan Department of the Michigan Department of EducationEducation

● 1 credit in any 1 credit in any oneone category of category of artsarts

Visual, Performing, and Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts Personal Applied Arts Personal Curriculum Curriculum (Modifications)(Modifications) Modification allowed if student takes an Modification allowed if student takes an

additional credit beyond the required additional credit beyond the required credits in English Language Arts, credits in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science or World LanguagesMathematics, Science or World Languages

Modification allowed for students with an Modification allowed for students with an IEPIEP

Modification allowed for transfer students Modification allowed for transfer students who have completed two years of high who have completed two years of high school out-of-state or at a non-public schoolschool out-of-state or at a non-public school

Visual, Performing, and Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts High School Applied Arts High School Credit Guidelines Credit Guidelines

www.michigan.gov/mdewww.michigan.gov/mde Click on the High School Graduation Click on the High School Graduation

Requirements picture on the top rowRequirements picture on the top row Scroll down to Scroll down to Curriculum Curriculum and click on and click on

Visual, Performing, and Applied ArtsVisual, Performing, and Applied Arts Click on Click on High School Visual, Performing High School Visual, Performing

and Applied Arts Content Guidelines and Applied Arts Content Guidelines under under ResourcesResources

World LanguagesWorld Languages

2 credits2 credits

Begins with Class of 2016 Begins with Class of 2016 ● ● Credits earned in grades 9 – 12 Credits earned in grades 9 – 12 OROR● ● An equivalent learning experience in grades K An equivalent learning experience in grades K

– 12– 12

● ● Credit guidelines have been developed by the Credit guidelines have been developed by the Michigan Department of EducationMichigan Department of Education

World Languages World Languages Personal Curriculum Personal Curriculum (Modifications)(Modifications) No modification for general No modification for general

education students (two education students (two exceptions)exceptions)

Modification allowed for students Modification allowed for students with an IEPwith an IEP

Modification allowed for transfer Modification allowed for transfer students who have completed two students who have completed two years of high school out-of-state or years of high school out-of-state or at a non-public schoolat a non-public school

World Languages High World Languages High School Credit School Credit GuidelinesGuidelines www.michigan.gov/mdewww.michigan.gov/mde Click on the High School Graduation Click on the High School Graduation

Requirements picture on the top Requirements picture on the top rowrow

Scroll down to Scroll down to Curriculum Curriculum and and click on click on World LanguagesWorld Languages

Click on Click on World Languages World Languages Credit/Experience GuidelinesCredit/Experience Guidelines above above What’s NewWhat’s New

Online Learning Online Learning ExperienceExperience

● Online course OROnline course OR● Online Learning experience OROnline Learning experience OR● Experience is incorporated into one Experience is incorporated into one

or more required creditsor more required credits● Guidelines developed by the Guidelines developed by the

Michigan Department of EducationMichigan Department of Education

Online Learning Online Learning Experience Personal Experience Personal Curriculum Curriculum (Modifications)(Modifications) No modification for general No modification for general

education students (two education students (two exceptions)exceptions)

Modification allowed for students Modification allowed for students with an IEPwith an IEP

Modification allowed for transfer Modification allowed for transfer students who have completed two students who have completed two years of high school out-of-state or years of high school out-of-state or at a non-public schoolat a non-public school

Online Learning Online Learning ●●Defined as “a structured Defined as “a structured

learning activity that utilizes learning activity that utilizes technology with technology with intranet/internet-based tools intranet/internet-based tools and resources as the and resources as the delivery method for delivery method for instruction, research, instruction, research, assessment and assessment and communication.”communication.”

Online Learning Online Learning Experience High School Experience High School Credit GuidelinesCredit Guidelines www.michigan.gov/mdewww.michigan.gov/mde Click on the High School Click on the High School

Graduation Requirements picture Graduation Requirements picture on the top rowon the top row

Scroll down to Scroll down to CurriculumCurriculum and and click on click on Online ExperienceOnline Experience

Click on Click on Online Learning Online Learning Guidelines Guidelines under under ResourcesResources

Career and Technical Career and Technical Education Education ● ● Some CTE courses may be Some CTE courses may be

taught in a manner that will taught in a manner that will allow credit to be granted for allow credit to be granted for both CTE and the specified both CTE and the specified content area.content area.

● ● Eligible students may be able to Eligible students may be able to participate in a co-op, internship participate in a co-op, internship or externship experience.or externship experience.

Career and Technical Career and Technical Education (continued) Education (continued)

● ● CTE courses are electives CTE courses are electives and are generally taken in a and are generally taken in a specific sequence.specific sequence.

● ● Graduation requirements Graduation requirements taken in the 8taken in the 8thth grade will grade will allow more opportunity for allow more opportunity for CTE classes/electives during CTE classes/electives during the high school experience.the high school experience.

Career and Technical Career and Technical Education High School Education High School Credit GuidelinesCredit Guidelines www.michigan.gov/mdewww.michigan.gov/mde Click on the High School Click on the High School

Graduation Requirements picture Graduation Requirements picture on the top rowon the top row

Click on Click on CTE - Guidelines on CTE - Guidelines on Awarding Academic Credit in Awarding Academic Credit in Career and Technical Education, Career and Technical Education, Humanities and Other Delivery Humanities and Other Delivery Models Models under under CurriculumCurriculum

Educational Development Educational Development Plan (EDP)Plan (EDP)

● ● Includes discussions about Career Includes discussions about Career PathwaysPathways

● ● Documents an ongoing process in which Documents an ongoing process in which the student identifies both career goals and the student identifies both career goals and a plan of action on how to achieve thema plan of action on how to achieve them

● ● Initiated in seventh grade and on file before Initiated in seventh grade and on file before student enters high schoolstudent enters high school

● ● Periodically revised throughout high school Periodically revised throughout high school to reflect the student’s career interests and to reflect the student’s career interests and optionsoptions

How Credit is GrantedHow Credit is Granted

● ● A student is considered to have completed a A student is considered to have completed a credit if the student successfully completes credit if the student successfully completes the HSCE or guidelines developed by the MDE.the HSCE or guidelines developed by the MDE.

● ● A student will be given graduation credit for a A student will be given graduation credit for a requirement that is successfully completed requirement that is successfully completed prior to high school, as long as it is of the prior to high school, as long as it is of the same level of content and rigor associated same level of content and rigor associated with the corresponding high school required with the corresponding high school required course.course.

● ● If a student fails a required course for If a student fails a required course for graduation, no credit is granted and the class graduation, no credit is granted and the class must be made up.must be made up.

Important Notes to Important Notes to Consider:Consider: Class of 2011 (8Class of 2011 (8thth graders in graders in

2006-07) will need 16 credits2006-07) will need 16 credits Class of 2016 (3Class of 2016 (3rdrd graders in graders in

2006-07) will need a total of 18 2006-07) will need a total of 18 credits – the 16 listed in the areas credits – the 16 listed in the areas above plus 2 credits of World above plus 2 credits of World LanguagesLanguages

Important Notes to Important Notes to Consider: (continued)Consider: (continued) Special Education Students: The Special Education Students: The

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) shall Individualized Education Plan (IEP) shall identify the appropriate course or identify the appropriate course or courses of study and identify the courses of study and identify the supports, accommodations, and supports, accommodations, and modifications necessary to allow the modifications necessary to allow the student to progress in the curricular student to progress in the curricular requirements, or in a Personal Curriculum requirements, or in a Personal Curriculum (PC), and meet the requirements for a (PC), and meet the requirements for a high school diploma.high school diploma.

Important Notes to Important Notes to Consider: (continued)Consider: (continued) Special Education Students: Special Education Students:

(continued)(continued)

A personal curriculum must A personal curriculum must incorporate as much of the high incorporate as much of the high school content expectations as is school content expectations as is practicable for the pupil and is practicable for the pupil and is consistent with the pupil’s consistent with the pupil’s educational development plan (EDP) educational development plan (EDP) and IEP.and IEP.

Important Notes to Important Notes to Consider: (continued)Consider: (continued) Personal Curriculum (PC): The Personal Curriculum (PC): The

personal curriculum will be personal curriculum will be considered only after all other considered only after all other options have been attempted, options have been attempted, and must meet stringent and must meet stringent requirements for determining requirements for determining educational goals and evaluating educational goals and evaluating student progress.student progress.

Important Notes to Important Notes to Consider: (continued)Consider: (continued)Personal Curriculum (PC): (continued)Personal Curriculum (PC): (continued)The use of a PC modification is allowed by state statute The use of a PC modification is allowed by state statute for only four reasons:for only four reasons:

A student wishes to modify the mathematics A student wishes to modify the mathematics requirementrequirement

A student wishes to go beyond the academic credit A student wishes to go beyond the academic credit requirements by adding more math, science, ELA or requirements by adding more math, science, ELA or world languages creditsworld languages credits

A student with a disability needs to modify the credit A student with a disability needs to modify the credit requirements based on his or her disabilityrequirements based on his or her disability

A transfer student who has completed two years of A transfer student who has completed two years of high school out-of-state or at a non-public schoolhigh school out-of-state or at a non-public school

Up-to-date InformationUp-to-date Information

As new information becomes As new information becomes available, it will be posted on available, it will be posted on the MISD Web site.the MISD Web site.

Go to Go to www.misd.netwww.misd.net Look under Quick LinksLook under Quick Links Click on High School Click on High School

Graduation RequirementsGraduation Requirements

Questions?Questions?

Contact your school district’s Contact your school district’s curriculum administrator or curriculum administrator or assistant superintendent of assistant superintendent of instructioninstruction

Contact your building principalContact your building principal Call the MISD at 586.228.3471 Call the MISD at 586.228.3471