Michigan Merit Curriculum (Graduation Requirements) Effective for Students in the Class of 2011 and Thereafter 

To prepare Michigan's students with the knowledge and skills needed for the jobs in the 21st Century, the State of Michigan has enacted a rigorous new set of statewide graduation requirements that are among the best in the nation. With these new graduation requirements, students will be well-prepared for future success in college and the workplace. The Michigan Merit Curriculum requires students entering 8th grade in 2006, to obtain a minimum of 16 credits for graduation, which could be met using alternative instructional delivery methods such as alternative course work, humanities course sequences, career and technology courses, industrial technology or vocational education courses, or through a combination of these programs. In addition, students entering the 3rd grade in 2006 (Class of 2016) will need to complete two credits of a language other than English in grades 9-12; OR an equivalent learning experience in grades K-12 prior to graduation.

MATHEMATICS - 4 Credits: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, One math course in final year of high school

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS - 4 Credits English: Language Arts 9, English Language Arts 10, English Language Arts 11  English Language Arts 12

SCIENCE - 3 Credits: Physical Science, Biology, One credit of Physics or Chemistry

SOCIAL STUDIES - 3 Credits: .5 credit in Civics, .5 credit in Economics, U.S. History and Geography, World History and Geography

PHYSICAL EDUCATION & HEALTH - 1 Credit

VISUAL, PERFORMING AND APPLIED ARTS - 1 Credit

ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE Course, Learning or Integrated Learning Experience

LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH - 2 Credits In grades 9-12; OR an equivalent learning experience in grades K-12 effective for students entering third grade in 2006 (Class 2016)

All required courses/credits must be aligned with Course/Credit Content Expectations and Guidelines developed by Michigan Department of Education.

Personal Curriculum Modification Procedure for the Class of 2011 and Thereafter

Under certain circumstances, such as where a student anticipates great difficulty meeting the Michigan Merit Curriculum's Algebra II requirement, a student seeks to increase the rigor of the Michigan Merit Curriculum in a specific subject area, or a student with an active Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) needs to modify credit requirements based on a documented disability, a Personal Curriculum may be pursued. 

To initiate a Personal Curriculum:

1. The student must have a complete Educational Development Plan that reflects the need to modify the curriculum.
2. The Personal Curriculum must be requested by a parent, legal guardian, or emancipated student, or by the student with the permission of the parent or legal guardian. Click here to download a Request for Personal Curriculum form that accommodates most requests.  Submit the completed form to your assigned counselor. If your request cannot be accommodated using this form, contact your assigned counselor.
3. The requested modification must be an allowable Personal Curriculum Modification as determined by the Michigan Department of Education.
4. A Personal Curriculum Development team will review the request.  This meeting must include but is not limited to the student, the parent, and the counselor. Students with an active IEP should also include the school psychologist when appropriate.*
5. If agreed upon, a completed Personal Curriculum request will be forwarded to the superintendent or designee for signature and approval. 

*Note:  A Personal Curriculum Development team must be separate from the IEP team. 

Once a Personal Curriculum has been approved by the superintendent or designee, the parent is responsible to monitor the student's progress toward completion of the Personal Curriculum on a quarterly basis. 

Please be aware that inasmuch as this process is new and the Michigan Department of Education continues to modify the requirements and process for the Personal Curriculum, this information should be used as a guide, with the understanding that more current information may be available after the posting of this information.