By Rick Charmoli
Cadillac NewsCADILLAC - The future looks bright for Ashley Whaley and Forrest Fox.
Whaley and Fox are both seniors at Cadillac High School and are planning to go to the University of Michigan and Ferris State University, respectively, in the fall. They have excelled at various courses offered at the school and even have been dual enrolled earning college credit.
Although both students have achieved in their academics, they don't feel more stringent graduation requirements would be fair to all students. They are not alone.
A House and Senate conference committee on Wednesday hammered out a compromise version of the new high school graduation requirements that would first affect students graduating in 2011.
The Legislature already had agreed that students should be required to take four credits each of math and English, three each in science and social studies, and one each in physical education and the arts. Two credits of foreign language would be required of graduates under the deal reached Wednesday, but would first affect students graduating in 2016.
The state's only current requirement is a civics class. All other requirements left for local school boards to decide.
"I don't think making the requirements higher is a good idea. Look at the dropouts we have already. I'm not saying make it easier but make it possible for the people who are pushing it through school," Whaley said. "Think about the depression of kids. Think about all the things adults are expecting kids to do. There are kids that aren't at the level the others are at."
The full House adopted the conference committee report by a 97-9 vote late Wednesday. The state Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a compromise. Now it heads to the desk of Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who endorses the deal and she plans on signing it.
Lawmakers said there is plenty of flexibility built into the legislation, crafted from differing bills previously passed by the House and Senate.
103rd District Rep. Joel Sheltrown said the reasoning behind the reform is the state board of education's belief that the graduation requirements need to be more stringent. Sheltrown said he agrees with that feeling to a point. Sheltrown said although looking at the "product" produced by the state's education system is worthwhile, there are more issues.
"Some of the changes are important and I'm concerned we're leaving behind a segment of society that is not going to college no matter what we do," he said. "There are many problems in education and graduation requirements and looking at the product we are putting out is only part the problem. We need to look at funding. If we don't do something about that, public education will be bankrupt."
Some credits could be satisfied at the middle-school level, for instance, and earlier in the case of foreign language. Students could switch from the mandatory curriculum to more personalized plans in certain cases.
Under the compromise, Algebra II will be part of the new math requirements. The proposal reached in conference committee would allow districts to spread the class over a two-year period, if necessary, and to build in other ways for students to satisfy the requirement.
Granholm had criticized bills that allowed students to switch to a more individualized plan and avoid mandatory requirements if they can make that choice in their sophomore or junior years. She wants that choice left to their senior year.
The compromise reached by the House and Senate committee does not specify a grade level when students can switch or test out of requirements.
Cadillac High School Assistant Principal Todd Bruggema said the biggest thing that bothers him is that reform became a big issue after the governor found out what was required by the state.
"That isn't true for every high school. Instead of surveying the state schools to find out what they require, they go in and, in my opinion, overact to put more mandates for students," he said. "That is not what the school says that is what the law says. Do I think adding four years of English is bad? No. Four years of math is bad. I have mixed feelings on that and I'm a math guy."
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The new curriculum requirements if signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm would include:
- Four credits of math and English language arts
- Three credits of science and social studies
- One credit of physical education and health
- One credit of visual performing or applied arts
- One online learning experience
The new high school graduation requirements would first affect students graduating in 2011.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
rcharmoli@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)