Michigan High School Graduation Requirements Implications for Curriculum and Instruction April, 2006

2 Overview of Required Credits 4 English Language Arts 4 Mathematics 3 Science 3 Social Studies 1 PE/Health 1 Arts 2 World Languages Online course

3 Local Graduation Requirements Legislation authorizes local districts to add additional requirements to the Michigan Merit Curriculum

4 Michigan Merit Exam Participation not required by legislation Legislation authorizes local district to institute as graduation requirement

5 Effective Dates 8 th graders entering fall of 2006 For World Languages: 3 rd graders entering fall of 2006 (graduating class of 2016)

6 English Language Arts Credit content to be defined Likely to have general applicability vs. specific course titles (e.g. American Lit) Heavy emphasis on Reading and Writing Emphasis on informational text Suggested, not required, lit or reading lists

7 Mathematics Algebra I and II, Geometry 4 th credit selected by student May be math or math-related Legislation lists examples, not limited list Math in final year required Sequence is not mandated Integrated math allowed

8 Mathematics 4 credits Algebra I Geometry Algebra II 1 Additional Math or Math- Related class (For example: Calculus, Trigonometry Applied Math, Business Math, Accounting, Probability and Statistics) ■ or Integrated Math or CTE sequence Math must be taken in the final year of high school.

9 Social Studies.5 credit in Civics.5 credit in Economics US History and Geography World History and Geography

10 Science Biology required of everyone Choice of Physics or Chemistry 3 rd credit selected by student Legislation encourages 4 th credit Earth Science not required Sequence not mandated

11 Physical Education/Health Credit mix is up to local school district Legislation does not say.5/.5 Health requirement may be met in other credit areas

12 Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts Visual and performing arts generally decided by local district Applied arts--CAD, Industrial Tech, Multimedia, Web publishing, etc. Creativity or artistry criteria

13 World Languages 2 credits in high school..OR.. Course work or other learning experiences prior to high school American Sign Language (ASL) considered a foreign language Requirement may be met online

14 Online Requirement Can be earned in 2 ways: Credit or non-credit course or learning experience …OR… District has integrated online learning into each credit area required for graduation

15 Online Requirement MDE to develop guidelines for “learning experience” MDE must specify basic level of technology and internet access for requirement to be in effect

16 “Subject Area Content Expectations” Officially, the comprehensive list of expectations for the subject area--ELA, Math, etc. Not course-specific, as in Algebra 1, Biology, etc. Legislation presumes, however, that specific course content expectations (CCE’s) will be developed for each credit area named in the law

17 MDE will develop CCE’s for the following credit areas English 9, 10, 11, 12 Algebra I & II Geometry Biology Chemistry Physics Civics Economics US History & Geography World History & Geography *Earth Science * Not a required credit

18 Guidelines for: Physical Education/Health Visual, performing, and applied arts Online course or learning experience World Languages credit prior to high school

19 Timeline for Course Content Expectations CCE’s for Algebra I and guidelines for online learning by August 1, 2006 Other CCE’s and guidelines one year before students may typically be expected to earn the credit

20 Assessments Within 3 years of passage of legislation, MDE must develop assessments to measure achievement of CCE’s in each credit area End-of-course exams Possibly “broken down” assessments (e.g. semester assessments vs. large final exam)

21 Credits vs. Courses Student earns credit by: Successfully completing the CCE’s 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

22 Credits vs. Courses Grad requirements intended to be standards/competency-based Requirements do not imply courses, seat time, Carnegie Units Legislation says districts may offer credits through “alternate methods” (e.g. Humanities, CTE, Industrial Tech, Voc-Ed, or combination)

23 Credits vs. Courses, Able to be met in variety of ways and in other credit areas High school credit may be earned for high school level credits taken prior to high school

24 Credits vs. Courses Legislation does not prohibit student satisfying credit requirements through: –Dual enrollment –Advanced Placement –International Baccalaureate –Other “early college” experiences or programs

25 “Personal Curriculum” Modifications Begins with student/parent request No age or grade level legislated Developed by team of student, parent/guardian, high school counselor or staff member designated by principal

26 “Personal Curriculum” Modifications Should incorporate as much of graduation requirements as appropriate Shall include measurable goals and evaluation Aligned with student’s EDP Final plan must be approved by parents and the superintendent Parents must communicate with teachers once each quarter to assess progress

27 “Personal Curriculum” ELA, Science, and Social Studies Modification ELA and Science credits may not be modified. Social Studies may be modified only after student has completed 2 credits Civics may not be modified Social Studies may be modified only if pupil takes additional credit in ELA, Math, Science, or world languages.

28 “Personal Curriculum” Math Modifications + Option 1: Complete 2.5 credits in mathematics before requesting a modification Complete.5 credit in Algebra 2 Complete 3.5 total credits in math All students must: Complete at least.5 credits in Algebra 2 Complete a total of 3.5 credits in mathematics Complete 1 math or math-related class in the final year

29 “Personal Curriculum” Math Modifications + Option 2: Complete Algebra 2 over 2 years (for two credits) Complete 1 math or math- related class in the final year All students must: Complete at least.5 credits in Algebra 2 Complete a total of 3.5 credits in mathematics Complete 1 math or math-related class in the final year

30 “Personal Curriculum” Math Modifications + Option 3: Complete a 2 year CTE program that includes.5 credit of Algebra 2 content Complete a total of 3.5 credits in mathematics Complete 1 math or math-related class in the final year Complete at least.5 credits in Algebra 2 Complete a total of 3.5 credits in mathematics Complete 1 math or math-related class in the final year

31 “Personal Curriculum” Health/PE, the Arts Modifications Physical Education/Health credit may be modified only if student takes additional ELA, Math, Science, or World Languages credit Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts credit may be modified only if student takes additional ELA, Math, Science, or World Languages credit

32 Special Education Student’s IEP governs grad requirements Basic premise: all grad requirements apply IEP must designate what is to be modified, not what is to be included

33 Students At Risk of Failure or Dropping Out District must notify parents Provide information on tutoring, support, counseling services available, e.g. through: –31A programs/services –Services required through NCLB –Other services available

34 “Specialty Schools” State supt. may designate up to 15 Exempt from the 4 ELA credits Exempt from the 3 Social Studies credits Must require 4 credits of Science, with no modification No modification of Math credits

35 “Specialty Schools” Must incorporate significant reading and writing in curriculum Specialized, innovative curriculum based on national or international models Mean scores on Math and Science sections of ACT must be 10% above local district

36 “Specialty Schools” 85% graduation rate 75% enrolled in postsecondary Students and parents must be notified school doesn’t meet Michigan Merit grad requirements Student transferring to another school would be required to meet grad requirements

37 School Accreditation State accreditation of high schools dependent upon schools providing opportunities to meet all grad requirements Beginning school year, no high school will be accredited unless such opportunities are provided Legislation indicates consequences for schools failing to be accredited for 3 consecutive years

38 MDE Contacts Diane McMillan, High School Redesign Consultant Jeremy M. Hughes, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer