A group of high school students has proposed dramatic changes to the state’s tough new graduation requirements that would create separate routes to a high school diploma based on whether a student planned to attend college, enter the work force or pursue a career in the fine arts. Some routes would require less rigorous coursework for students.

The Michigan Youth in Government was challenged by the House Education Committee to study the requirements and recommend improvements. Students who presented their recommendations to the committee September 16 said that among the concerns their group of 1,600 students addressed was the fear that placing the rigorous mandates on all students would increase the dropout rate.

The current requirements “are not worth cutting so many students out of the system altogether,” Sam Wohns, a student at East Grand Rapids High School , said today.

The students recommended having students follow the Michigan curriculum for the first two years of high school, which would include two credits of math, including algebra I and geometry. After that, students would choose one of several pathways.

• A career preparatory pathway, designed for students who plan to enter the workforce directly after graduation. They would take one additional math course, which could include consumer math. The students also would take three years of coursework in a program to prepare them for employment.
• A higher education preparatory pathway, for students going to college. It is similar to the current rules, although it would let students choose which courses they would take in the core areas of math, English, science and social studies.
• A fine arts education preparatory pathway, for students hoping to attend a fine arts institution following high school graduation. It would allow students to take more coursework in the fine arts area of their choice.
• A special needs pathway, for students with disabilities, would have school staff and parents making decisions on coursework, instead of requiring them to follow the new rules

“This curriculum would create students who are willing to take charge of their own education,” said Ben Brelje, a student at Portage Northern High School .

The House Education Committee also passed out Senate Bill 834 at its meeting. This bill, sponsored by Sen. Switalski, adds financial literacy, a math support class, and “another mathematics course approved by the [local] board,” to the list of courses for the mathematics requirement.  Additionally, this bill allows for algebra II to be completed over two years for a total of two credits

Read the Michigan Youth in Government report.

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Free Press Staff Writer, 9.16.08