Michigan Toughens-Up on High School Graduation Requirementsby Lyn Newton | More from this Blogger 12 Jun 2008 06:29 PM It seems that everywhere we look in education, the requirements are toughing and higher standards are being placed into lower grade levels. While kindergarten children are now learning to read and seventh and eighth grade children are taking high school math courses, high school students are also facing tougher requirements to graduate. Just recently, seventh grade students in Tennessee attended meetings with their parents about new graduation requirements for high school diplomas. Michigan too is seeing some new standards placed into the high school credit requirements for a graduating diploma. Some students feel that they are being forced to fit into a mold that was not made for them. They worry that they will never be able to meet the course requirements that are now asked of them. Michigan's new requirements state that a student must complete four credits of math and English and three of science and social studies. The new requirements for the state are thought to be some of the toughest in the nation. The policy makers feel that the requirements are crucial to the new competitive business world that is ahead of the students in their future. The new requirements have forced schools to take positive actions that otherwise would likely not have been taken. For example, some schools are holding summer programs to help struggling students and some are revamping the way they teach certain subjects, especially math. Other academic centers are setting up tutoring for students who need it. Some are suggesting that students be given an option of a second diploma for those who do not complete the regular requirements. This diploma would help students get into a technical career or school. Like many other states, Michigan is still in the beginning process of getting all of the kinks worked out of the new requirements. Learn more about Lyn Newton  Lyn is a kindergarten teacher and mommy to a girl and a boy. In her spare time, she enjoys informative and creative writing. Relevanteducation tags User Comments worriedparent13 (5) 23 Sep 2008 10:49 AMWhat I haven't heard anyone talking about is the fact that students have to pass a state exit exam for all of these classes. The way our principal explained it was that a student could pass the class but fail the state exit exam the result being no Michigan merit diploma. They will receive a certificate of completion. It only takes one test the student can't pass, in anyone of the subject areas and the best they can hope for is a "thanks for showing up" certificate. I do not see how this motives students. I do not have a problem with higher expectations, 4 years of English 2/3 of math, science, history. But when you throw in end all be all tests you cheat some of our best and brightest students. What happens to the student who panics on tests? What about the students with mild learning disabilities? A lot of these students plan to go to college, but I worry what these exit exams will do to their self esteem. What I see is a state that is saying thanks for participating but you don't matter. Discuss this article
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