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High School Curriculum Bill
Passes Michigan Senate Unanimously
Gongwer News Service, March 16, 2006
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High school students would have to pass a stricter curriculum
that includes specific credits in English, science, mathematics,
social studies and foreign languages under legislation the
Senate approved unanimously Thursday.
A controversial amendment that would allow students to take "an
alternative approach" to Algebra II in consultation with a
student's parents, math teacher and guidance counselor was added
to SB 1124 by exactly the number of votes needed. The addition
of the amendment temporarily derailed action on the measure as
officials tried to sort out how the amendment got adopted.
While that amendment was criticized by some as "dumbing down" SB
1124, no other amendments that critics said could lessen the
requirements for graduation and proponents said would add
flexibility to the requirements were adopted.
Included among those amendments not adopted was one that would
allow a student at age 16, along with his or her parents, to
request an individualized curriculum.
If the amendment is not adopted, said its sponsor, Sen. Michael
Switalski (D-Roseville), then the state could see the number of
high school dropouts increase.
"A 16-year-old doesn't have a sharp idea of what the future is
like. They might want to rebel. They might not listen," he said.
But Sen. Wayne Kuipers (R-Holland) said the amendment would
essentially gut the curriculum proposal. "Just because they
don't want to apply themselves," he said, students will opt out
of tougher classes before they even see what is involved.
Another amendment Mr. Switalski sponsored that failed would have
ended the foreign language requirement. The requirement would
make it difficult for students to study any of a whole range of
other subjects, he said.
But Sen. Irma Clark-Coleman (D-Detroit) said businesses are
crying out for people who can speak foreign languages.
In passing the bill, the Senate met the deadline set by Senate
Majority Leader Ken Sikkema (R-Wyoming). Both houses have now
passed a curriculum bill (the House passed HB 5606 earlier this
month).
Surprisingly, given the significance of the subject, no Senate
member took the floor to talk about the step they were taking.
Throughout the hearing and action phase of the bill many
comments were made about the importance of mandating a tougher
curriculum to the state's economic future; but the point
apparently made earlier, no one felt it necessary to repeat it
as the chamber was ready to vote.
Under the bill, students would have to have four credits of
English, four credits of mathematics (including Algebra I,
geometry, and Algebra II or its functional equivalent, and an
additional class), three credits of science (in biology,
chemistry or physics and an additional class), three credits of
social studies, two credits of foreign languages (which can
include American Sign Language and which can be earned before
high school), one credit of arts, an online course and health
and physical education.
The biggest difference from the House version is the foreign
language requirement. The Senate and House bills allow science
and math credits taken before high school, however the Senate
version allows geometry to count whereas the House version does
not include that course.
Currently, the state requires only a civics class in its high
school curriculum.
On Wednesday, Sen. Nancy Cassis (R-Novi) failed in her bid for
an amendment that would allow students to complete the
requirements of Algebra II in an alternative fashion.
Thursday she brought forward another proposal that would allow a
pupil to use an alternative approach to completing the
"benchmarks for Algebra II" that would require a student's math
teacher and guidance counselor to consult with the student and
the student's parents to develop the alternative.
The amendment would help many students, especially those with
"fragile self esteem and low self-confidence," she said.
Mr. Kuipers said lawmakers shouldn't "create an opt out before
it is determined if a student can get" Algebra II.
Sen. Alan Cropsey (R-DeWitt) said the amendment dumbs down the
bill. "Our children are in a battle for the future. They're in a
battle with children across the country and in a battle with
children around the world," he said. "If you are going to be on
top of the world, you have to be on top of mathematics and
science." Given the level of education students in China and
India are attaining, Mr. Cropsey said, he wasn't sure the
standards being enacted were strict enough.
Ms. Cassis, a former school psychologist, blasted Mr. Cropsey
for "stepping outside of his realm of expertise" to say the
amendment dumbs down the bill. She said it would meet both the
students' and subject's needs.
Initially the amendment failed on a non-roll call 18-15 vote.
Then the presiding officer, Sen. Alan Sanborn (R-Richmond) said
a record roll call vote was called for, and the amendment
succeeded 19-17.
Mr. Kuipers was clearly furious the amendment passed. More than
that, there was confusion among Mr. Sikkema's staff as to which
senator actually called for the roll call. Mr. Sikkema called
Ms. Cassis into a quick-closed door conference with Senate
Majority Floor Leader Sen. Bev Hammerstrom (R-Temperance) and
all emerged grim-faced.
The chamber switched to other business for a period and when it
came back to the curriculum bill, it made no effort to repeal
the amendment.
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