If State Superintendent Michael Flanagan has his way, high school students will be working a little harder in order to earn their diplomas.
Flanagan has proposed making a substantial change to the current curriculum, which includes changes in math and science requirements. Flanagan's Michigan Merit Core Plan includes the following requirements: four years of English language arts,; one year each of algebra I, geometry, algebra II, and an additional math class in the senior year; one year each of biology, physics, and chemistry, and one year of additional science; three years of social science, which must include a semester of civcs and a semester of economics; one year of health or physical education, and one year of fine arts - which may include music, art or theater courses.
The plan, currently being reviewed by the State Board of Education, would begin with next year's freshman class if the necessary legislation is passed and enacted by March 1, 2006. If legislation is not enacted by that time, the requirements would begin with the following class.
According to Brimley Schools Superintendent Alan Kantola, Flanagan's plan is a "hot topic" that the school will be paying close attention to.
"It will take a major adjustment, especially in math and science with the requirements of physics and chemistry, algebra and geometry." said Kantola.
Flanagan's proposal comes on the heels of The Cherry Commission of Higher Education and Standards call for making the workforce more highly educated and doubling the number of graduates from college.
The required curriculum would only fill 16 of the traditional 24 credit hours in a high school career, leaving the remaining credits open to electives.
The State Board began discussing the issue on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
According to Kantola, while the plan is not set at this time, all indications are that the outcome of the State Board's decision will be very close to Flanagan's proposal.
