Lawmakers must act on implementing an alternative curriculum that includes vocational educational skills in order for the state to not experience a significant increase in the high school dropout rate, Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) said Wednesday during a taping of Michigan Public Television's "Off the Record."

In promoting his HB 5943, Mr. Sheltrown said he is still in the stages of getting his "ducks in a row" for the full Education Committee to take a look at the measure, but it is a part of the High School Alternatives Subcommittee review.  

While Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael Flanagan has urged lawmakers not to water down the high school graduation standards, saying that all students should have a chance to achieve the goals set forth in the law, Mr. Sheltrown said lawmakers can't expect all students to fit into a cookie-cutter education model.

He said an expected increase in drop out rates and students reportedly struggling with Algebra I makes his bill more likely to pass than simply delaying the standards for a later freshman class. He said his bill doesn't water down the standards because it does include stringent vocational education curriculum, as well as other general curriculum courses.

Source: Gongwer News Service, 5.28.08