• Personal Curriculum (PC):

    A personal curriculum (PC) is a tool that is provided for in Michigan law 380.1278a and 380.1278b that allows specific modifications to be made to certain requirements of the Michigan Merit Curriculum in order to individualize the rigor and relevance of the educational experience. While the law specifies the areas in which modifications may be made for specific groups of students, the personal curriculum is intended to help make the MMC accessible to all students while maintaining the academic rigor required to uphold the integrity of the high school diploma.

    Amendments to the Michigan Merit Curriculum go into effect in April of 2015.
     
     
     
     
     
     
    A Personal Curriculum (PC) modification may be requested for one of four reasons:

    • A student demonstrates need for modification to the Algebra II requirement of the MMC. The student must complete 2 credits of math (including or equivalent to Algebra I and Geometry) before requesting a PC to modify the Algebra II requirement.

    • A student with an IEP demonstrates need for modification to facilitate access to and/or demonstration of proficiency in MMC content.

    • A student who transfers from a school outside of Michigan or from a non-public school to a public high school after completing the equivalent of two years of high school demonstrates need for modification to the MMC based on previous academic experience.

    • A student demonstrates need to modify Social Studies, PE/Health, and/or Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts in order to take credits beyond those required in the areas of Math, English Language Arts, Science, and/or World Languages. The student must earn 2 credits in Social Studies, including 0.5 credit in Civics before requesting a PC to modify the Social Studies requirement.

    Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC):

    The Michigan Merit Curriculum specifies a common set of credits required for a student to obtain a high school diploma. It also provides educators with a common understanding of what students should know and be able to do to receive credit. Obtaining these credits also serves as the foundation of skills needed in order to succeed in college and/or the workplace.

    Educational Development Plan (EDP):

    The educational development plan (EDP) is a planning tool that provides the direction for educational and career planning at the secondary and post-secondary level. The EDP should be developed by the student with the guidance of the school counselor. The EDP helps the student identify their post-secondary goal(s) and interests in addition to the high school content and courses needed in order to achieve these goals and obtain the skills and competencies needed to be successful following completion of high school.

    Key Elements:

    1. Beginning in 7th grade and prior to entering high school each pupil must have an EDP (required by legislation).
    2. The EDP is considered a "living" document and needs to be updated regularly as student's interests and skills are refined over time.
    3. The EDP needs to be developed by the student under the supervision of the student's school counselor or another designee (qualified and selected by the principal).
    4. The EDP must be based on a career pathways program or similar career exploration program.

    Individualized Educational Program:

    The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written statement for a student with a disability that is developed in accordance with the requirements of the individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 (section 614 (d)) and must be reviewed on an annual basis. The IEP is written based on the student’s specific needs and must include annual goals/objectives that enable the student to be involved in and make progress in the Michigan Merit Curriculum. By the time a student reaches the age of 16, the IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals related to training, education, and employment (transition plan). The IEP must also include a statement of the special education and related services, and supplementary aids and services that will enable the student to be involved and make progress in the Michigan Merit Curriculum. The IEP also identifies the course of study (diploma or non diploma focus) that will be used to support the student’s skill development.