MI Merit Curriculum • Starting with the basics

– What is the MI Merit Curriculum – What is a Personal Curriculum

• Current Legislation • Panel Discussion

– Mary Pitchford – Superintendent – Coleman Community School

– Tammy Hyatt – Agriscience Instructor - Lapeer Vocational Technical Center

– Pat Henne – Agriscience Instructor – Springport Public School

• MFB Policy

MI Merit Curriculum

Sample schedule by the MI Department of Education

MI Merit Curriculum The agricultural, food, and renewable natural resources sectors of the U.S. economy will generate an estimated 54,400 annual openings for individuals with baccalaureate or higher degrees in food, renewable energy, and environmental specialties between 2010 and 2015. • 74% of the jobs are expected in business and

science occupations

• 15% in agriculture and forestry production

• 11 % in education, communication, and governmental services.

Source: Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in Food, Renewable Energy, and the Environment United States, 2010–2015

MI Merit Curriculum

HS degree or less

37%

Some College/A.A.

degree 30%

B.A. or better 33%

Source: March CPS data, various years;

Center on Education and the Workforce

forecast of educational demand to 2018.

“a narrowly defined

‘college for all’ goal –

one that does not include

a much stronger focus

on career-oriented

programs that lead to

occupational credentials

– seems doomed to fail.”

Pathways to Prosperity: Harvard Graduate School of

Education Feb. 2011

College for All does not mean everyone

needs a B.A. Even in this decade most

jobs do not need a B.A.

How does a Personal Curriculum

(PC) relate to MMC?

• What is a PC?

– A process to modify specific credit requirements based on the individual learning needs

MI Merit Curriculum

• When are PC’s used:

– To access advanced or specialized content that cannot be met through electives (schedule does not allow student to access district offering)

• PC’s are being used with MMC’s to assist students who don’t have schedule flexibility

MI Merit Curriculum

• How does the PC process work:

Initiation by

Parent or personnel

Meet with PC Team – student,

parent, counselor, teacher, etc.

Written agreement – school,

superintendent, parent, student

Credits and Content Must meet as much of

MMC as practical Measurable goals

Describes credits and modifications

Educational Development

Plan (EDP) aligned with Students EDP

(Individual Educational Plan –

IEP)

Quarterly Communication to monitor progress –

parent communicates with each teacher of modified curriculum

Revision – process

above

MI Merit Curriculum

• Thank you for your legislator contacts

Current Legislation

• HB 4465 and 4466 (McBroom – R – Vulcan, Johnson – R – Clare)

• SB 66 (Proos – R – St. Joseph) • HB 4712 (Irwin – D – Ann Arbor) • HB 4102 (Potvin – R – Cadillac) • HB 4088, 4072 and 4073 (McBroom – R- Vulcan,

Nesbitt – R – Lawton, Johnson – R – Clare.) • SB 371 (Hopgood – D – Taylor) • SB 267 (Hunter – D – Detroit) • SB 133 (Caswell – R - Hillsdale)

Allow CTE courses that teach benchmarks

OR Agriscience OR anatomy

Allow ½ credit of PE to be meet via extracurricular activity – discretion of school

Clarify this can be met via CTE

Direct students – either 2 credits foreign language OR CTE program

HB 4465 and HB 4466

MI Merit Curriculum

OR agscience or anatomy

Can be CTE

OR CTE OR CTE

Possible ½ CTE credit

HB 4465 and 4466

MI Merit Curriculum

Panel Discussion – Mary Pitchford – Superintendent – Coleman

Community School

– Tammy Hyatt – Agriscience Instructor - Lapeer Vocational Technical Center

– Pat Henne – Agriscience Instructor – Springport Public School

MI Merit Curriculum MFB Policy #37 Educational Reforms

The new Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) requires all students to take advanced classes. These required credits are intended to ensure skills and knowledge for 21st century jobs.

A well-rounded education containing basic core curriculum, including college-prep or vocational/technical courses, should be an attainable and achievable goal for all students. The vigorous set of statewide standards makes it more difficult for students to fit career and technical coursework into their schedule.

MI Merit Curriculum

Additionally, we believe more emphasis should be placed on studies in government, economics, and communications skills which are required for survival in today's world.

We recommend Michigan Farm Bureau work with the Legislature and the Department of Education to allow flexibility to the MMC. This will provide more opportunities for students to enroll in vocational training programs and mentor-based programs, such as First Robotics.

Take Home Points

Added Flexibility to the MMC

• We want a well-rounded curriculum allows for the inclusion of CTE classes.

• MFB Policy supports added flexibility to the MMC.