Michigan Merit Curriculum and the Personalized Curriculum (PC)

adapted by K. Kosobud for LDA of Michigan, January 14, 2011

The Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) includes these requirements:

• 4 English Credits
• 3 Science Credits
• .5 Civics Credit
• 1 P.E./Health Credit
• 2 World Languages Credits (Class of 2016)
• 4 Mathematics Credits
• 3 social Studies Credits
• .5 Economics Credits
• 1 Visual, Performing or Applied Arts Credit
• An online learning experience [1]

A Personalized Curriculum (PC) can be written for students with IEPs, when there is:

• A documented need to make modifications because the student’s disability affects access to and/or demonstration of proficiency in the curriculum.
• Lack of progress on the MMC despite documented interventions, supports, and accommodations.

In addition to identifying content or credit modifications, the PC should:

• Align with the Education Development Plan, postsecondary goals, and the IEP.
• Establish measurable goals.
• Provide a method to evaluate whether the student meets the goals.
• Include quarterly communication of progress with parent(s).

Picture of mortarboard cap, books and rolled diploma, Source: k12alerts.com

High School Completion Without a Diploma—Students who require significant modifications may not be eligible for a diploma or a PC. Students who need these modifications are still able to progress to good careers, college educations, and more. The significance of completing high school without earning a diploma depends on career choice, future employment requirements, and plans for education beyond high school. According to the Michigan Department of Education, a student who completes high school without earning a diploma can enter a trade or vocational school, attend most community colleges, enter certain branches of the armed forces, and apply for scholarships and financial aid. [2]

Advocacy suggestion: As parents, you may have additional concerns. You may want to be sure that your children will have access to a diploma, while still having a full high school experience: extra-curricular activities such as sports, a balanced schedule of challenging academics offset by electives in students’ areas of interest, and participation in traditional grade-level events along with their age-mates: dances, field trips, and other rituals including graduation. Although schools may not see these accommodations as their obligation, parents may ask for these arrangements, as part of an equitable and inclusive educational experience.

From: A Parents Guide to Personal Curriculum: Focus on Students with an IEP http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/PC_IEP_Parent_Guide_5-18-09_281053_7.pdf.

See also: Personal Curriculum: Parent and Educator Guide http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/PC_Guide_Final_5_12_09_277958_7.pdf

Michigan Department of Education resources on Personal Curriculum are at: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_30334_49879---,00.html

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[1] A Parents Guide to Personal Curriculum: Focus on Students with an IEP, May 2009

[2] Michigan Dept. of Education, Personal Curriculum Guidelines, August 2009