PERSONAL HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM

House Bill 6247

Sponsor:  Rep. Hoon-Yung Hopgood

Committee:  Education

Complete to 9-15-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6247 AS INTRODUCED 6-18-08

House Bill 6247 would amend the Revised School Code to allow a student who had completed one semester (or trimester) of Grade 10 to request a personal curriculum that modifies the Michigan merit standard curriculum.[1]  In addition, the bill would allow modification of the high school mathematics requirements to occur after a student had successfully completed 1-1/2 credits of math (instead of 2-1/2 credits). 

Currently under the law, a student or a student's parent may request a personal curriculum in lieu of the standard high school curriculum, and a high school diploma will be awarded if that alternate curriculum is successfully completed. However, the mathematics credit requirement of the standard curriculum can be modified only after the student has successfully completed at least 2-1/2 credits of the mathematics credits required for high school completion.  [The four credit math requirement includes the successful completion of algebra I, geometry, algebra II, or an integrated sequence of this content, and a fourth year of mathematics taken during the senior year of high school.]

House Bill 6247 modifies the law to specify that a student could request a personal curriculum after completing one semester or trimester of Grade 10.  (Currently the timing of the request is not noted in the law.)  Further, the bill specifies that the mathematics credit requirements can be modified as part of a personal curriculum after the student has successfully completed at least 1-1/2 credits (down from 2-1/2 credits) of the math required for high school graduation.  [The requirements that a student successfully complete at least 3-1/2 total credits of mathematics, including one mathematics course during the final year of high school enrollment would not be modified.]

The bill also specifies that a teacher, school counselor, or person acting in a counseling role may contact a student's parent or legal guardian to discuss the possibility and potential benefits of a personal curriculum. 

Currently, a personal curriculum is developed by a group that includes at least the student, one of the student's parents (or guardian), and the student's high school counselor (as well as a school psychologist for a student receiving special education services).  House Bill 6247 would add a high school teacher to this group.

MCL 380.1278b

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 6247 would have no significant fiscal impact on the state or school districts.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Mary Ann Cleary

                                                                                                                           Bethany Wicksall

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.

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