Michigan Merit Curriculum &Personal Curriculum Modification:
For general education and special education
March 11, 2008
Mason-Lake and Oceana
Intermediate School Districts
Table Activity
What credits are required for graduation?
Which of these credits can be modified for a general education student?
Which of these credits can be modified for a special education student?
Getting to CreditCredit must be aligned with subject area content expectations
Legislative Requirements:Agreement between the superintendent, parent/guardian, and the student ; initiated by parent Developed by a team that must include at least
student parent/guardian counselor/designee school psychologist should be included for students with disabilities
Aligned with the EDPMeasurable goalsMethod to evaluate progressCommunication of progress with parentPC Leads to a REGULAR dipolma
Personal Curriculum
Allowable Modification for a General Education Student
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/faq12_178604_7.pdf
No modification of ELA, Science, World Languages, or On-line Learning
Specific modifications for math, social studies, VPAA, PE/Health
Mathematics Modification 1 Credit 1 Credit 1 Credit 1 Credit
Total Credits
MMC without PCAlgebra I, Algebra II and Geometry (no sequence
required)
Final year
math or math-
related credit
4
Modification allowing Algebra II to be taken over two years
Algebra I and Geometry (no
sequence required)Algebra II 4
Modification after successful completion of minimum of 2.5 math credits
Students required to take Geometry
and Algebra I
Algebra II ½ credit
Math or math-
related credit
4
Modification after successful completion of 2 math credits
Algebra I and Geometry (no
sequence required)
Algebra II content in
CTE
Math or math
related credit
4
Health and Physical Education and Visual, Performing and Applied Arts
Student takes additional credit beyond the required credits in English Language Arts, Math, Science, or World Languages
Modifications
Social Studies
The third credit may be modified if the student takes an additional credit (beyond the required credits) in English Language Arts, Math, Science, or World Language2 credits required, including civics
Modifications
Subsection (k)Special Education StudentsPermits consideration of modifications “not otherwise allowed”
PC allows some credit “swapping” and some content modification
Modification is subject to “demonstration that the modification is necessary because the pupil is a child with a disability”
Permits the modification “to be made to the extent necessary”
The modification must be consistent with the Educational Development Plan and the Individualized Education ProgramThis determination is made by at least
student parent/guardian counselor/designee school psychologist should be included for students with disabilities
Link to IDEAIf a pupil receives special education services, the pupil's IEP shall identify
the appropriate course or courses of study and the supports, accommodations, and modifications necessary to allow the pupil to progress in the curricular requirements of the MMC or PC and meet the requirements for a diploma.
AccountabilityNCLB and IDEA 04 hold State and Public Agencies accountable for the performance of students with disabilities within a structure of state standards.
While it is allowable to account for growth and performance for some of these students on alternative achievement standards it is not appropriate to create a different path to graduation.
IDEA defines what is not a diploma and therefore defines what is a diploma.
• Section 300.102(a)(3), regarding exceptions to FAPE, has been changed to clarify that a regular high school diploma does not include an alternative degree that is not fully aligned with the State’s academic standards, such as a certificate or a general educational development credential (GED).
In this context, nothing from the MDE can counter the accountability framework that NCLB and IDEA create.
Accountability
Some Things Seems to Be Very ClearWe cannot substitute alternative content and count achievement within that content towards the 18 credit requirements.
We cannot reduce the number of credits.
The IEP supports but does not trump the graduation requirements.
There are no plans for a Special Education curriculum that will lead to a separate diploma.
No such thing as a modified diploma.
Kids who don’t get a diploma are not doomed to fail in life.
Districts can issue alternative certificates but they do not end FAPE.
Transfer StudentsStudent has successfully completed the equivalent of 2 years of high school credit out of state or at a nonpublic school.
Districts may use appropriate assessment examinations to determine what credits were earned out of state or at a nonpublic school
The Personal Curriculum incorporates as much of the subject area content expectations of the Michigan merit standard as is practicable. Student successfully completes at least 1 mathematics credit during final year of high school.
Credit must be at least Algebra 1 if enrolled at least 1 year Next credit above Algebra 1 if student has demonstrated success in Algebra1
Student must take Civics
Questions / Comments
Michigan Merit CurriculumPersonal Curriculum Modification
Part II
March 11, 2008
Mason-Lake and Oceana
Intermediate School Districts
Goals for this session
Have in place the forms necessary to make a PC happen in your school district
Provide some consistency across districts on the PC process and forms
Provide an opportunity for cross-district discussions
Discussion
Where is your district in the process of developing a PC plan for students?
Has anybody had a request for a PC for a student?
How will you “advertise” this to parents? Will you “advertise” it?
NC RESA Forms
Request
Timeline
Eligibility
Each group look at one form and recommend changes
NC RESA FormsELAMATHSCIENCESocial studiesVPAAOn-LineHealthWorld Languages
Each group look at one form and recommend changes
Example of a Completed PC
How do we fit in the individual HSCE for special education students?
Discussion
Cut Scores
Assessments for Granting Credit
Technology for Tracking Students
Next Steps
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