House Bills to Modify Michigan Curriculum

March 14, 2013 2:35 PM

Modify Michigan curriculum to allow more flexibility, vocational classes, lawmakers say

By Chris Gautz

A bipartisan group of state House members announced their support today for a two-bill package that would modify the Michigan Merit Curriculum to make it easier for students not on the college path to take vocational classes that might better suit their needs.

The state's curriculum — which education advocates say is one of the toughest in the country — has been a target for change by those who think it deprives local schools of flexibility. Students who never planned to attend college end up flunking out of high school because they can't meet the foreign language or tougher algebra requirements.

"It's so rigid and restrictive," Rep. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, said while speaking at the Jackson Area Career Center.

The bills, HB 4465 and 4466, would add two math requirements rather than force all students to take Algebra II. It also would allow a student to take agri-science and anatomy classes as additional options for the science credit. A student could earn half a credit for physical education if he or she participated in sports.

The current law does allow for some flexibility, and career and technical centers can put together a curriculum for students in a vocational class that meets the Algebra II requirement. But McBroom said that it is tough to do and not every school district has the resources to do that.

Rep. Peter Pettalia, R-Presque Isle, said this is not about lowering standards or watering them down but about providing options.

"How many of us welders need two years of (foreign) language?" Pettalia said. 

He said he doesn't think those students do, but these bills still would give those students the option to take those classes.

This year, the Detroit Regional Chamber said it is open to suggestions providing flexibility but does not want to see anything that is perceived as lowering standards as students prepare to enter a globally competitive work environment.

Rep. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, said each student is unique. Under the state's curriculum, he said, too many students have been set up for failure. The state education mandates have left schools unable to offer the same vocational training and work experiences that they used to, Nesbitt said.

Rep. John Kivela, D-Marquette, said that in Manistique, a state-of-the-art welding school shop sits empty, even though it is the No. 1 job in demand in his district.

Pettalia said not every student is going to go to college.

"We can't have a university if we don't have a mason that puts the bricks in," he said. "We have to start at the foundation."

Delaney McKinley, the director of human resource policy for the Michigan Manufacturers Association, said she supports the bills because they need to fill the pipeline for people to work in these jobs.

"We are desperately seeking workers," McKinley said.