Grand Blanc Community Schools Staff Presentationon High School Redesign January, 2007 Jeremy M. Hughes, Ph.D. Deputy Supt./Chief Academic Officer
High School Redesign: A Three Legged Stool Content Expectations Graduation Requirements Assessments
1st Leg of Stool: Content Expectations – • Algebra I and II • Geometry • Pre-Calculus • Statistics and Probability • Biology • Chemistry • Physics • Earth Science • English 9, 10
Content Expectations – Under Development • English 11, 12 • US History and Geography • World History and Geography • Civics • Economics
“Before the name goes on, the quality goes in.”
Intent of Legislation Beginning with the freshman class in fall 2007, when the transcript says “Algebra I” or “Biology” etc., it signifies that, regardless of where a student has gone to school in Michigan, the content expectations have been taught and the student has been reasonably proficient.
Guidelines Published • Visual, Performing, Applied Arts • Online Experience Under Development • Physical Education and Health • Languages Other Than English
Completion Schedule
New MDE High School Web Page
2nd Leg of Stool: Assessment • Michigan Merit Exam (MME) replaces high school MEAP • ACT-PLAN or PSAT replaces MEAP to qualify for dual enrollment • Secondary Credit Assessments (SCA’s) to be developed (e.g. end-of-course exams) within 3 years
Michigan Merit Exam (MME) • Participation not required by legislation • Assessment results, however, critical to school and district AYP report card • Legislation allows local district to institute as graduation requirement
MME Components • ACT • WorkKeys • Social Studies (59 Q’s) • Michigan Science supplement (53 Q’s) • Michigan Math supplement (15 Q’s)
HS Content Expectations in MME • Spring 2007 – current high school benchmarks are basis, not new content • 2008 – new Math expectations will be included • 2009 – new Science expectations included
ACT-PLAN and PSAT • Generally administered in 10th grade • Passing scores have been set by state • Plan • Math 18 • Reading 17 • Science 19 • English 21 • PSAT • Critical Reading 44 • Writing Skills 49 • Math 45 • District or student must pay cost of test
Secondary Credit Assessments (SCA’s) • To be developed by state within 3 years - in Math, Science, ELA, and Social Studies areas required for graduation • Algebra I and Geometry piloted in January 2007 • Available to districts but use not required
SCA’s – cont’d. Multiple formats: • End-of-course exams • Semester or marking period • “Testlets”
SCA’s – cont’d. • District not required to use state SCA’s • May develop own or use current assessments if they cover the required content expectations • Law requires that award of credit be based “in part” on assessment
3rd Leg of Stool: Graduation Requirements • 4 English Language Arts • 4 Mathematics • 3 Science • 3 Social Studies • 1 PE/Health • 1 Visual, Performing, Applied Arts • 2 Lang. Other Than English • On-line course or experience
Summary of Michigan Merit Curriculum
Effective Dates • 8th graders entering fall of 2006 (graduating class of 2011) • For “Language Other Than English” requirement: 3rd graders entering fall of 2006 (graduating class of 2016)
Clarifying Graduation Requirements Mathematics • 4th Math credit • Math in final year of HS • Math in middle school • Integrated Math
Clarifying – Cont’d. 4th Math Credit • Math or “math-related” • District determines “math-related” • Guidance: proportion of Math GLCE’s or HSCE’s covered • “Highly Qualified” teacher issue
Clarifying– Cont’d. Math in Final Year of HS • Rationale: “keep math skills fresh” • Law does not specify amount of credit • “Math-related” credit may satisfy
Clarifying– Cont’d. Math in Middle School • Would reduce # of credits in high school • “Final year” Math still required
Clarifying– Cont’d. Integrated Math • Law recognizes and allows • Integrated Science also recognized and allowed • Assessment needs to be designed carefully
Clarifying– Cont’d. 3rd Science Credit • Biology and Chemistry OR Physics • District to determine what classes/programs qualify for 3rd credit • Law encourages students to take a 4th credit in Science
Clarifying– Cont’d. Earth Science • Originally included in law as grad requirement • Removed in final version • MDE required, however, to develop SCA for Earth Science • Earth Science expectations coded as “Essential” will be included in MME
Clarifying– Cont’d. Credit for Middle School Classes • Must cover same content expectations as high school • Must use same assessment • Must require same level of proficiency • Law: credit “shall” be awarded
Clarifying– Cont’d. “Testing Out” • Current law continues • C+ grade • New legislation adds: • Must cover content expectations • Must use state or district exam • Credit “shall” be awarded
Clarifying– Cont’d. “Credit” vs. “Course” • Law does not speak of “classes” or “courses” • Opens door to a system based on competency vs. Carnegie Unit • Credit can be earned in other curriculum areas (e.g. Career/Technical Ed) • A required credit cannot, however, substitute for another required credit (double-dipping)
Clarifying– Cont’d • “Credit” vs. “Course” cont’d. • Projects currently underway to map ELA and Math in CTE programs • Law acknowledges students may satisfy credit requirements through: • - Dual enrollment • - Advanced Placement • - International Baccalaureate • - Other “early college” experiences or programs • - On-line learning
Clarifying– Cont’d. Physical Education and Health • Credit mix is up to local school district • Law does not say .5/.5 • Health requirement may be met in other credit areas • Health teachers must be certified/endorsed (Health Ed, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health/PE/Rec)
Clarifying– Cont’d. Visual, Performing, Applied Arts • District to determine what classes/programs qualify • MDE has developed Guidelines • www.michigan.gov/highschool • Applied Arts refers to programs such as Vocational or Industrial Technology • Guidelines emphasize element of creativity
Clarifying– Cont’d. Language Other Than English • 2 credits in high school..OR.. • Course work or other learning experiences prior to high school (Guidelines currently being developed) • American Sign Language (ASL) qualifies • Requirement may be met on-line
Clarifying– Cont’d. On-Line Course or Learning Experience Can be satisfied in 2 ways: • Credit or non-credit course or learning experience…OR… • District has integrated on-line learning into each credit area required for graduation • MDE has developed Guidelines • www.michigan.gov/highschool
Clarifying– Cont’d. Special Education • Basic premise: all grad requirements apply • Law contains provision for “Personal Curriculum” (PC) • PC available to all students • Recent amendment to law allows PC to be modified further for “student with disabilities”
Resources “Frequently Asked Questions” on web: www.michigan.gov/highschool Jan Ellis Office of Communications ellisjan@michigan.gov 517-373-9391 Jeremy M. Hughes, Ph.D. Deputy Supt./Chief Academic Officer hughesj@michigan.gov 517-335-0011
