LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill introduced by State Representative Douglas Geiss (D-Taylor) that adds increased flexibility to the personal curriculum option in the Michigan high school graduation requirements. Parents and educators across the state have called for these changes to enable high school students to tailor their courses to their interests and post-high school goals.
"The best way to keep kids in school is to show them that their high school coursework is relevant to their post-high school plans," Geiss said. "By providing our students with the flexibility they need to tailor their education to their needs and career goals, they will be more likely to stay in school and have greater interest in related careers."
A personal curriculum is a planning tool that allows changes to certain graduation requirements. However, many students are unable to use the planning option due to limitations under the current law. Geiss' bill, which passed the House unanimously and now heads to the Senate, will:
- Allow a personal curriculum to be developed after completion of ninth grade, in order to give students adequate time to develop a curriculum that is right for them.
- Make personalization of the math requirement possible after completing, but not necessarily passing, one and a half credits of math. Currently, a student can't begin the planning process until passing two and a half math credits.
- Add a teacher with expertise in the subject being modified to the personal curriculum committee.
- Allow teachers and administrators to talk to parents about creating a personalized curriculum, but maintain the current requirement that parents must sign off on the plan before it can take effect.
"In these tough times, it's more important than ever that our children have access to a quality education in order for them to compete for the good-paying jobs that are available in new and emerging fields," Geiss said. "This plan will ensure that our parents, teachers and educators have the flexibility to develop a curriculum that is right for each student and will prepare them for the 21st century global economy."