Michigan High School Graduation Requirements

1
Michigan High School Graduation Requirements
August 2006
2
WhyEconomic Survival

• 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!
• Michigans economic success is tied to a
  well-educated workforce

3
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

4
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

5
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

6
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)

7
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

8
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)

9
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

10
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

11
Performance Matters
What We Know

• Whats New
• Meet or exceed content expectations
• Perform and demonstrate competency
• Assign credit based on meeting expectations

• Currently
• Pass or fail
• Seat time
• Individual courses

12
Courses vs. Credits

• Student 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

13
Courses vs. Credits, contd.

• 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

14
Courses vs. Credits, contd.

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

15
Personal Curriculum

• Must meet high school requirements except as
  designated by law
• Graduation requirements may be modified through
  the Personal Curriculum

16
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

17
Personal Curriculum, contd.

• Shall include measurable goals and evaluation
• Aligned with students 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

18
Personal Curriculum
19
Personal Curriculum
20
Personal Curriculum
21
Special Education

• All graduation requirements apply
• Students 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

22
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

23
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

24
MDE Obligations, contd.

• 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

25
District Obligations, contd.

• 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

26
MASs 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!

27
Graduation Requirements

• Questions???
• Volunteers come on up and sign in!

28
Find Information on Web

• Michigan.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 Success
• http//www.act.org/path/policy/pdf/success_report.
  pdf
• ACT.org (policy makers) Reading Between the Lines
• http//www.act.org/path/policy/reports/reading.htm
  l
• ACT.org (College Readiness Standards)