State of Michigan Improved High School Graduation Requirements

To prepare Michigan's students with the skills and knowledge needed for the jobs of the 21st Century global economy, 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 futher sucess in college and on the job. Michigan is developing a highly-skilled 21st Century workforce that will drive the state's economy today and into the future.

The new graduation standards will be required starting with the Class of 2011, next year's eight graders. Yet, many school districts already are implementing the Michigan Merit Curriculum as their graduation requirement.

Michigan Merit Curriculum

Number of credits

Curiculum Area

Required Content

4 credits

Mathmatics

Algebra 1;

Geometry;

Algebra 2;

including one credit in Senior Year

4 credits

English Language Arts

Aligned with subject area

content expectations developed

by state Dept. of Education

3 credits

Science

Biology;

Physics; or Chemistry;

one additional Science credit

3 credits

Social Studies

.5 credit in Civics;

.5 credit in Economics;

U.S History and Geography;

World History and Geography

1 credit

Physical Education/Health

Credit guidelins to

be developed by state

Dept. of Education

1 credit

Visual, Performing, Applied Arts

Credit guide lines to

be developed by state

Dept. of Education

Additional Graduation Requirements:

On-line Learning Experience - Students must take an on-line corse or learning experience; OR have the on-line learning experience incorporated into each of the required credits of the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

World Languages - Beginning with the Class of 2016 (Third graders in Fall 2006), students will need to complete 2 Credits of a World Language in grades 9-12; OR have an equivalent learning experience in grade K-12.