Parents Can Seek Change in Required Math Study
BY LORI HIGGINS - FREE PRESS EDUCATION WRITER
Some special-education students may be needlessly suffering through algebra I classes because their parents aren't aware they can request a modification to the state's new graduation requirements, Michigan Department of Education officials told lawmakers Thursday.
The reason, they say, is that there is confusion in local school districts over what options students have.
"There's a level of anxiety many of us haven't seen in a long time," said MaryAlyce Galloway, senior adviser to the chief academic officer at the department.
She spoke during a hearing of a House subcommittee formed earlier this year to address widespread concerns about high rates of failure among this year's high school freshmen -- the first to have to comply with the mandates that became law in 2006.
The new rules require that students take four years of math, including algebra I, geometry and algebra II. Already, some are estimating that in many schools, more than 20% of freshmen are failing algebra I.
Rep. Steven Lindberg, D-Marquette, said Thursday that he has heard from parents of students with learning disabilities who say their children are being forced into algebra I -- and failing it -- because of the requirements.
Galloway said parents can request what is called a personal curriculum, which would allow the requirements to be modified based on a child's disability. It wouldn't necessarily get a student out of the four-year math requirement, but it could change the types of math courses the student takes.
The personal curriculum also is available to students who don't have disabilities, but they wouldn't be able to take advantage of it until they've completed two years of math. The personal curriculum can begin in eighth grade for students with disabilities. And, parents can request the modified curriculum only if their child's district allows it as an option.
