Should more technical classes be allowed to replace required high school math classes in Michigan?

A bill would allow high school students to take technical education classes as replacements for geometry and algebra II.

Some local educators have a message for state lawmakers who tinkered with the state's graduation requirements: Keep going.

It's not that they don't like the idea of students taking tough courses. But they argue that different students have different abilities and needs, and therefore should have different paths to a diploma.This week the state Senate approved a bill that would make sure schools knew that the algebra II mandate could be waived if students were taking classes in career/tech centers, and algebra elements were woven into those classes.

Technically, they had this ability all along, but schools weren't aware of it, Education Department spokeswoman Jan Ellis told me Thursday.

Floating through the state House Education Committee was a bill that went beyond that. Rep. Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch, backs a plan that would allow high school students to take technical education classes as replacements for geometry and algebra II.

That's a big difference. According to the MIRS news service, Sheltrown fears the curriculum's inflexibility would increase the number of students not graduating by 300 percent.

The requirements went into effect with the class of 2011: four years of math and English, three of science and social studies, one of health or physical education, and one of visual, performing or applied arts.

Rockford Superintendent Michael Shibler has no problem with kids taking four years of math or the other requirements. He's frustrated that the state dictates what kind of math courses students need to take.

He's long been vocal on the issue, and is as concerned about the kids who make it through as the ones who fall short.

"You're going to see high schools passing kids with Ds and D-minuses, and what have the kids gained? Nothing," he told me. "How much better off would those kids be if they could take a business math or applied math course and have something they can use and learn from?"

Shibler said the school, working with parents, could plot a rigorous course plan that would serve students better in the long run.

POLL

Education insiders tell me they see two scenarios. The first is that the Senate bill backed by state Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, makes it through the House and is signed on the governor, and goes into effect without really changing much.

The other is that Sheltrown's bill clears the House and a compromise is reached in the conference committee, giving a little more flexibility without lawmakers looking like they watered down tough standards.

The first batch of students tied to the requirements are entering their junior year. The clock is ticking.

E-mail Dave Murray: dmurray@grpress.com

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