Michigan Schools have decided that changes must be made to the Special Education curriculum statewide. Recent updates to federal law require Michigan Schools to comply with the new rules and requirements. Students with disabilities are dependent on the schools they attend to meet the required standards. Without changes, the programs will be forced to close. At the news of the change, many are concerned that current services will be compromised. However, Michigan Schools have assured children and parents that special education programs, such as the Extended School Year Program, will remain intact. Public hearings on the matter will take place in the coming weeks.
Updates to the special education curriculum are one of a series of changes Michigan Schools are undergoing. The state content expectations in science and social studies classes have been recently revised. The new requirements will be enacted in 2007-2008 and are popular with parents. Expectations in social studies now include the study of Eastern countries, current issues, and a higher level of social awareness. The standards were established by a collaboration of educational committees.
The new standards follow a trend in Michigan Schools. Preparing students for the real world has become a focus for Michigan Schools. Concern that graduating students are not adequately prepared for the work environment prompted the change. Studies show that only 32 percent of freshmen in the United States will graduate fully prepared for college. In an effort to improve this situation, Michigan Schools created enhanced statewide graduation requirements in 2006. The Governor was directly responsible for promulgating the requirements, officially known as the Michigan Curriculum of Merit. Michigan’s schools have the rare benefit of being governed by a legislature, executive branch, and board of education that rarely agree on this issue. The goals achieved by these groups help Michigan Schools stay focused. Notably, Michigan schools have the most extensive requirements of any state in the country.
The Michigan Merit Curriculum operates on the belief that the skills needed to succeed in the workplace are no different than those needed to succeed in college. Thus, by preparing students for the college experience, they have accomplished two things: a preparation for real-life work situations, and the confidence and ability to succeed in college. Student readiness measures include improving the quality of high school courses. The issue of quality has even trumped concerns about test scores in Michigan schools. Because students have been shown to succeed when faced with challenges, Michigan Schools have decided to set new educational standards. No sweeping overhaul has been implemented, but the Michigan Merit Curriculum in Michigan schools is a working initiative.
