From the State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Thousands of dedicated and highly qualified teachers and administrators, committed to providing students with the best possible education, are the driving force in Michigan schools. School districts are offering students more rigorous courses and many have already implemented strong high school graduation requirements to ensure that students receive a sound education.

Now, with the most comprehensive set of high school graduation requirements in the nation signed into law, the Michigan Merit Curriculum will be implemented for next year’s freshman class. A high school diploma in Michigan will soon say a lot more about the graduate whose name it bears. It will tell employers that our students have mastered the reading, writing, and math skills required for success in our workplace. It will tell college and university admissions officers and career and technical schools that Michigan students are ready for the rigors of postsecondary education. It will tell the world that Michigan is developing the highly-educated workforce that employers are seeking.

Along with the new high school curriculum, we want to ensure that more Michigan students will consider attending college or technical school after graduation.

This spring, if approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE), Michigan juniors will begin taking the new Michigan Merit Exam. This exam will replace the high school Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) and for the first time include the national ACT® college entrance exam that can be used for college admissions. Students are also eligible for one re-take opportunity for students in the fall or spring of their senior year. Students who pass the MME qualify for the Michigan Merit Award that provides funds that students can use to pursue educational opportunities after high school.

This issue of Leading Change is designed to continue the MDE’s efforts to provide meaningful information about Michigan’s high school reform efforts and navigate the changing waters of reform. We look forward to your feedback!