Michigan High School Graduation Requirements

Michigan High School Graduation Requirements Implications for Curriculum and Instruction April, 2006 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 2 Local Graduation Requirements • Legislation authorizes local districts to add additional requirements to the Michigan Merit Curriculum 3 Michigan Merit Exam • Participation not required by legislation • Legislation authorizes local district to institute as graduation requirement 4 Effective Dates • 8th graders entering fall of 2006 • For World Languages: 3rd graders entering fall of 2006 (graduating class of 2016) 5 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 6 Mathematics Algebra I and II, Geometry 4th 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 7 • • • • Mathematics 4 credits Algebra I Geometry Algebra II 1 Additional Math or MathRelated 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. 8 Social Studies • • • • .5 credit in Civics .5 credit in Economics US History and Geography World History and Geography 9 Science • Biology required of everyone • Choice of Physics or Chemistry • 3rd credit selected by student • Legislation encourages 4th credit • Earth Science not required • Sequence not mandated 10 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 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 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 15 “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 16 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 17 Guidelines for: • Physical Education/Health • Visual, performing, and applied arts • Online course or learning experience • World Languages credit prior to high school 18 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 19 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) 20 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 21 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) 22 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 23 Credits vs. Courses • Legislation does not prohibit student satisfying credit requirements through: – – – – Dual enrollment Advanced Placement International Baccalaureate Other “early college” experiences or programs 24 “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 25 “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 26 “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. 27 “Personal Curriculum” Math Modifications 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 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 28 + “Personal Curriculum” Math Modifications 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 + Option 2: • Complete Algebra 2 over 2 years (for two credits) • Complete 1 math or mathrelated class in the final year 29 “Personal Curriculum” Math Modifications •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 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 30 + “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 31 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 32 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 33 “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 34 “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 35 “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 36 School Accreditation • State accreditation of high schools dependent upon schools providing opportunities to meet all grad requirements • Beginning 2008-09 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 37 MDE Contacts Diane McMillan, High School Redesign Consultant mcmillandj@michigan.gov 517-335-4739 Jeremy M. Hughes, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer hughesj@michigan.gov 517-335-0011 38