| Michigan Schools have decided that changes need to | | | | an effort to improve this situation, Michigan Schools |
| be made in the statewide Special Education curriculum. | | | | created enhanced statewide graduation requirements |
| Recent updates to federal laws require the Michigan | | | | in 2006. The governor was directly responsible for |
| Schools to comply with new rules and requirements. | | | | enacting the requirements, known officially as the |
| Students with disabilities are depending on the schools | | | | Michigan Merit Curriculum. Michigan Schools have the |
| that they attend to attain the required standards. | | | | rare benefit of being governed by a legislative branch, |
| Without changes, the programs will be forced to shut | | | | executive branch, and board of education that are in |
| down. At the news of change, many are concerned | | | | rare agreement on this subject. The objectives |
| that current services will be compromised. However, | | | | achieved by these groups help Michigan Schools stay |
| Michigan Schools have assured children and parents | | | | focused. Notably, Michigan Schools have the most |
| that special education programs, such as the Extended | | | | ample requirements of any state in the country. The |
| School Year Program, will remain intact. Public hearings | | | | Michigan Merit Curriculum operates under the belief |
| on the matter will be held in upcoming weeks. The | | | | that the skills needed to succeed in the workplace are |
| updates in special education curriculum are one in a | | | | not any different than those needed to succeed in |
| series of changes that Michigan Schools are | | | | college. Therefore, by preparing students for the |
| experiencing. The state content expectations in both | | | | college experience, they have achieved two things: a |
| social studies and science classes have been recently | | | | preparation for real life work situations, and the |
| revised. The new requirements will be enacted in | | | | confidence and ability to succeed in college. Student |
| 2007-2008 and are popular with parents. Expectations | | | | preparation measures include improving the quality of |
| in social studies now include the study of eastern | | | | high school courses. The issue of quality has even |
| countries, current issues, and an increased level of | | | | trumped concerns over test scores in Michigan |
| social awareness. The standards were set by a | | | | Schools. Because students have been proven to find |
| collaboration of educational committees. The new | | | | success when they are challenged, Michigan Schools |
| standards follow in a trend of the Michigan Schools. | | | | have decided to set new educational standards. There |
| Student preparedness for the real world has become | | | | is not dramatic a overhaul set in place, but the Michigan |
| a focal point for Michigan Schools. Concern that | | | | Merit Curriculum in Michigan Schools is a working |
| graduating students are not adequately prepared for | | | | initiative. |
| the work environment prompted the change. Studies | | | | Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, |
| show that only 32 percent of the freshman in the | | | | providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and |
| United States will graduate fully prepared for college. In | | | | private K-12 schools. |