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