Understanding the Personal Curriculum Why it is not a Special Education Thing

Reaching and Teaching All Michigan Students

Reality Check “Internationally, the United States does not have the highest educational standards. However, we have the deepest commitment to equity…essential to a school’s success is absolute commitment to a rigorous and relevant curriculum for all students.” Bill Daggett

Practicalities Preparing Michigan Students for Work and College Success are the same thing Governor’s Goal - Double the number of college graduates in Michigan Students success in college or the workplace is linked to high level courses in English, science and math beyond Algebra II Rigorous requirements do not increase dropout rates

In the last 30 years, jobs have been redistributed: employment share and earnings have shrunk for high school drop outs Until the 1970’s the United States’ economic dominance rested on a solid agricultural and manufacturing base where workers with high school or less could provide a comfortable living for their families Today, ideas rather than natural resources comprise an increasing share in GDP growth High school drop outs High school graduates Some college, no degree Associate degree Bachelor’s degree Graduate degree Employment share Earnings % $25,900 40% $32,000 9% $51,000 12% $40,000 7% $57,700 Employment share Earnings 9% $20,700 31% $29,600 21% $52,600 18% $35,800 11% $68,200 10% $37,100 Source: Autor, Levy, Murnane, 2003 ; Carnavale (ETS), 2003

Schools DO Make a Difference Research of: –Larry Lazotte, –Wilbur Brookover –Michael Rutter Conclude that: –All children can learn –Schools control the factors that assure mastery of the curriculum

Robert Marzano, What Works in Schools, 2003 –An analysis of research conducted over a 35 year period demonstrates that schools that are highly effective produce results that almost entirely overcome the effects of student backgrounds. Schools DO Make a Difference

Getting to Credit Credit must be aligned with subject area content expectations

Strategies to Assist Student Success Integrated instruction Online learning College credit opportunities Work based learning Project based learning Flexible scheduling Spiraled Curriculum Peer coaching Adult mentoring Electives

A PC is not necessarily needed for alternative instructional delivery methods and course work inclusive of MMC credit requirements for the following: –Humanities sequence –Career and technical education –Industrial technology courses –Dual enrollment, International Baccalaureate, AP courses –Alternative education programs Options to Meet MMC Requirements

Guiding Principles The PC is one of many options to help students meet or exceed the MMC The PC is the exception and agreed upon with thought and integrity The PC is agreed upon and initiated by the parent/guardian or emancipated student Educators are obligated to teach a challenging curriculum and prepare students for post secondary goals The PC is an individualized plan for rigor and relevance based on the HSCE The PC holds constant the graduation requirements, curriculum and content The PC is consistent with SBE policy on Universal Education and Design for learning

Legislative Requirements: –Agreement between the superintendent, parent/guardian, and the student –Developed by a team that must include at least student parent/guardian counselor/designee school psychologist should be included for students with disabilities –Meets as much of MMC (HSCE/CCE) as practicable –Aligned with the EDP –Measurable goals –Method to evaluate progress –Communication of progress with parent Personal Curriculum

Educational Development Plans The Board of a LEA or Board of Directors of a PSA: –Shall ensure each pupil in Grade 7 is provided with the opportunity to develop an EDP –The EDP shall be developed before the student enters high school –Shall be developed by: Pupil School counselor School Psychologist should be included if the student has an IEP

Essential Elements for EDPs 1. Personal Information 2. Career Goal(s) 3. Educational/Training Goal(s) 4. Assessment Results 5. Plan of Action 6. Parent Consultation/Endorsement –(under age 18) Courtesy of: Christine Reiff, Office of Career and Technical Preparation

Drop Out Prevention If a pupil is not successfully completing a credit required for graduation or is identified as being at risk of withdrawing from HS –The pupil's school district or PSA shall notify the pupil’s parents/guardian of the availability of: tutoring or other supplemental educational supports and counseling services

Mathematics Modification 1 Credit Total Credits MMC without PC Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry (no sequence required) Final year math or math- related credit 4 Modification allowing Algebra II to be taken over two years Algebra I and Geometry (no sequence required) Algebra II4 Modification after successful completion of minimum of 2.5 math credits Students required to take Geometry and Algebra I Algebra II ½ credit Math or math- related credit 4 Modification after successful completion of 2 math credits Algebra I and Geometry (no sequence required) Algebra II content in CTE Math or math related credit 4

Health and Physical Education and Visual, Performing and Applied Arts Student takes additional credit beyond the required credits in English Language Arts, Math, Science, or World Languages Health education and social skills programs improve school and test performance, attendance and school connectedness Physical education, structured physical activity and higher fitness levels impact student achievement. Modifications

Social Studies The third credit may be modified if the student takes an additional credit (beyond the required credits) in English Language Arts, Math, Science, or World Language 2 credits required, including civics Modifications

Transfer Students Student has successfully completed the equivalent of 2 years of high school credit out of state or at a nonpublic school. –Districts may use appropriate assessment examinations to determine what credits were earned out of state or at a nonpublic school The Personal Curriculum incorporates as much of the subject area content expectations of the Michigan merit standard as is practicable. Student successfully completes at least 1 mathematics credit during final year of high school. –Credit must be at least Algebra 1 if enrolled at least 1 year –Next credit above Algebra 1 if student has demonstrated success in Algebra1 Student must take Civics

No modifications in the following areas: –English Language Arts –Science –World Languages –Civics –Online Learning Experience Exception – Students with a disability and transfer students Modifications

Subsection (k) Permits consideration of modifications “not otherwise allowed” –PC allows some credit “swapping” and some content modification Modification is subject to “demonstration that the modification is necessary because the pupil is a child with a disability” Permits the modification “to be made to the extent necessary”

Subsection (k) cont. The modification must be consistent with the Educational Development Plan and the Individualized Education Program This determination is made by at least student parent/guardian counselor/designee school psychologist should be included for students with disabilities

Link to IDEA If a pupil receives special education services, the pupil's IEP shall identify –the appropriate course or courses of study and –the supports, accommodations, and modifications necessary to allow the pupil to progress in the curricular requirements of the MMC or PC and meet the requirements for a diploma.

Accountability NCLB and IDEA 04 hold State and Public Agencies accountable for the performance of students with disabilities within a structure of state standards. While it is allowable to account for growth and performance for some of these students on alternative achievement standards it is not appropriate to create a different path to graduation.

IDEA defines what is not a diploma and therefore defines what is a diploma. Section (a)(3), regarding exceptions to FAPE, has been changed to clarify that a regular high school diploma does not include an alternative degree that is not fully aligned with the State’s academic standards, such as a certificate or a general educational development credential (GED). In this context, nothing from the MDE can counter the accountability framework that NCLB and IDEA create. Accountability

Some Things Seems to Be Very Clear We cannot substitute alternative content and count achievement within that content towards the 18 credit requirements. We cannot reduce the number of credits. The IEP supports but does not trump the graduation requirements. There are no plans for a Special Education curriculum that will lead to a separate diploma. No such thing as a modified diploma. Kids who don’t get a diploma are not doomed to fail in life. Districts can issue alternative certificates but they do not end FAPE.

So where do we get answers? There are two sets of guidance documents posted to the Office of School Improvement website. Follow this link: _ ,00.html

Or…. Start with the MDE website MDE - Michigan Department of Education Go to the “OFFICES” tab on the left side of the page Follow the School Improvement link Follow the Personal Curriculum Guidelines link

And now … Answers to your questions

SEAC Questions on Personal Curriculum Generated on January 9th 2008 in preparation for Personal Curriculum presentation to SEAC on February 6th, 2008 The latest versions of MDE’s Personal Curriculum Guidelines and examples documents can be found here: _ ,00.htmlhttp:// _ ,00.html

Umbrella Question: Q: When and under what circumstances should a PC be considered for a student? When is it not necessary? A: Page 39, Questions 1 and 2 of the FAQ section in the Supporting Materials and Examples

Additional Questions Q: What is the school’s obligation to bring up the option of a PC at an EDT or IEP? A: The school would be responsible for informing the parent of the personal curriculum as part of their general information sharing process regarding the graduation requirements.

Q: What is the role of the IEP with regards to MME? A: Identifies which version of the exam the student will be assessed on and any modifications or accommodations that are necessary and permissible.

Q: How does the IEP/504 plan interface with the end of credit exams? A: Identify accommodations and modifications

Q: Are there other ways besides to PC within the HS curriculum for students with IEPs to demonstrate the competencies required by MMC? A: The PC has nothing to do with demonstrating competence.

Q: Is the PC framed around the student’s interests and capabilities/competencies? A: The PC is a tool for making changes to the graduation requirements as identified in 1278a and 1278b. It “individualizes” the rigor of the student’s course of study as identified in the EDP. A good EDP should be based on sources of information that identify preferences, strengths and interests of students and families.

Q: How will the state (MDE) monitor the rate of students with PCs? A: Through the SRSD - SDS

Q: What plans are there to develop a user- friendly guide to PC for parents and school staff? (user-friendly meaning <5 pages, not in.4 font, as jargon-less as possible etc.) A: We are forming a group to do this as we speak.

Q: What provisions are there to balance more rigor in one area with less rigor somewhere else? A: There are no “official” provisions. This is a decision that must be made and agreed to by the development team.

Q: How will consistency between districts (LEAs) be assured if LEAs each define their own end of credit exams? Q: How will we deal with the issue of equity between district to district, and between program to program? A: Data portraits. We must connect the dots between course of study, performance on the MME, graduation and postsecondary outcomes.

Q: What ISDs are coordinating efforts with their local districts with regard to MME? How are they doing that? A: That’s a good question!

Contact Information Personal Curriculum Deborah Clemmons Supervisor for Curriculum and Literacy – MDE OSI Special Education Matt Korolden Co-director, Secondary Redesign and Transition – MDE OSE/EI