CTE

Here is the clarification of SB 981 language regarding Algebra II credit within approved CTE courses. Before reading, I advise you get refreshment. It will take awhile.

My read tells me their word says... know the law, use the overall HS math content expectations document in your decision (the big book--not the individual course/credit content expectations documents), within a group make a decision, let you conscience be your guide and "don't ask - don't tell."

Have your refreshment? Click below to read it.

Jim Ballard

Senate Bill 981 - one of the five bills completed in the late night legislative session before Christmas Break included the MASSP Algebra II language!

Sec. 1278a. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section or section 1278b, beginning with pupils entering grade 8 in 2006, the board of a school district or board of directors of a public school academy shall not award a high school diploma to a pupil unless the pupil meets all of the following:

(a) Has successfully completed all of the following credit requirements of the Michigan merit standard before graduating from high school:

November 17, 2009

Public Comment
Office of Career and Technical Education
Michigan Department of Education
P.O. Box 31712
Lansing, MI 48909

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

RE: Career and Technical Education Reimbursed Programs (2009-041 ED)

The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals has reviewed the proposed rules as made available on the Department website.

The review committee did speak positively of the efforts made by those who developed these rules to make them more concise, provide flexibility, and steer the field to the direction of a strong Michigan workforce. As the proposed rules were reviewed an underlying question always came up, “Does Michigan have the structure in place to deal with these changes?”

Source: MIRS News

The House committee reported legislation (HB 4410*) that would allow Algebra II to be replaced with financial literacy course. The bill would still require four credits of math to graduate and would allow up to three of those credits to be embedded in a career and technical education course.

For students struggling with math, the committee also reported legislation (HB 4511*) that allows them to enter a personalized curriculum, which could include dropping the Algebra II requirement, earlier in their high school career.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

State bills in works to let tech courses fulfill math requirement
Christina Stolarz / The Detroit News

Lansing-- Michigan legislators made it clear that math-related career and technical education courses could fulfill the Algebra II graduation requirement for high school students.

The bill was passed unanimously Wednesday by the state Senate; the House Education Committee also soon will take up a vote on similar legislation.

This morning the Michigan Senate passed MASSP's Senate Bill 698.

Here is the bill: (Bold print is the new language and [denotes removed language].)

August 5, 2009-SB 698 passes out of Senate Education Committees with full support.

August 5, 2009 - The Senate Education Committee meets this afternoon. Senate Bill 698, our CTE/Algebra II work is up. Here's what I plan to say.

Time for a pause

I remember an article I wrote at the end of my year as president of our association. It was about those few minutes between the end of one school year and the start of the next. It’s that time when you say good-bye to the students and teachers leaving for their summer break, and that awaiting meeting to discuss next year issues. There is that minute or two, without pressure to “get it done” that you get to reflect on the past year.

Well, this is my pause.