Graduation Decisions, Michigan Merit Curriculum, Personal Curriculum

The Michigan Merit Curriculum defines a common set of required credits for graduation and provides educators with a common understanding of what students should know and be able to do for credit. All high school diplomas issued in Michigan meet these same requirements, so there is consistency across the state.

From Michigan Department of Education:

• Graduation Decisions for Students with Disabilities MDE
• Michigan Merit Curriculum Graduation Credits

State law requires schools to developing an Educational Development Plan (EDP) in Grade 7 and that every student has an EDP before high school. EDPs are updated as student interests and abilities become more obvious and focused. The EDP shows educational and career goals, a way to achieve these goals, and the activities accomplished. Data from the EDP can be used to inform transition planning.

• Educational Development Plans
• Educational Development Plan Example

• Transition to Postsecondary Education or Training: What Parents Can Do Now PACER
• How to Choose the Right Job for Your Teen’s Strengths Understood

• EDP Fact Sheet Family Matters
• خطة التطوير التعليمي
• Plan de Desarrollo Educativo

Michigan Merit Examination (MME)

The Michigan Merit Examination (MME) assesses students in grade 11 and eligible students in grade 12 based on Michigan high school standards. MME is composed of three parts

1. A free college entrance exam score that can be used to apply to college.
2. A free WorkKeys assessment that connects work skills training, and testing to improve students’ education and job opportunities.
3. Michigan assessments that measure what students know that parents, educators and employers say is important in core subject areas.

• Parent Guide to State Assessments
• Procedures for Applying for ACT Test Accommodations
• Applying for SAT Test Accommodations
• Testing Accommodation ADA
• Michigan Merit Examination MDE
• More on Statewide Assessments

• Finishing High School: Certificate of Completion vs. Diploma Fact Sheet Family Matters
• إتمام المرحلة الثانوية: الفروق بين شهادة اإلتمام والدبلومة
• Terminar la preparatoria con un certificado de culminación o con un diploma

Mi-Access

Mi-Access is Michigan’s alternate assessment system. Only students whose primary instruction is based on the alternate content expectations and meet the definition of a student with the most significant cognitive disabilities may take MI-Access. MI-Access is not for students with mild disabilities.

• Accepting an alternate assessment is an IEP team decision.
• Mi-Access website includes info on student supports, accommodations, and the different levels of participation.

Personal Curriculum (PC)

The Michigan Merit law allows a parent to request certain modifications to the state high school graduation requirements. Personal Curriculum is a general education initiative, not a special education.

These Parent Guides provide a description of the Personal Curriculum (PC) process. Understanding this educational option will help in making informed decisions about your student’s educational experience and path to earning a high school diploma.

• Personal Curriculum Parent and Educator Guide
• Frequently Asked Questions about the Personal Curriculum Parent and Educator Guide
• A Parent’s Guide to Personal Curriculum Focus on Students with an IEP

Remember to also check out Michigan Department of Education Personal Curriculum webpage.

Will my child get a diploma or a certificate of completion?

A high school diploma is awarded to students that have met the Michigan Merit Curriculum graduation requirements. A certificate of completion might be given to certain students at the discretion of the local school district.

• Certificate of Completion
• Graduation Considerations for Students with Disabilities MDE
• Diploma Decisions Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council
• Finishing High School: Certificate of Completion vs. Diploma Fact Sheet Family Matters
• إتمام المرحلة الثانوية: الفروق بين شهادة اإلتمام والدبلومة
• Terminar la preparatoria con un certificado de culminación o con un diploma

What about modifications at the high school level?

For a student to receive a diploma, they have to meet the standards of the Michigan Merit Curriculum. The district may decide that there are certain content standards that cannot be modified (changed), because changing too much of the required content would mean the student isn’t learning the required MMC content. Michigan law also allows a parent of a student to request certain modifications (under specific conditions) to the state high school graduation requirements.

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