michigan merit curriculum concerns

The Impact of the New The Impact of the New Michigan Merit Curriculum on Michigan Merit Curriculum on

At-Risk and Special At-Risk and Special Education StudentsEducation Students

Derrick Fries, Ph.D.Derrick Fries, Ph.D.

Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University

Spring/Summer 2007Spring/Summer 2007

The New Michigan Merit The New Michigan Merit CurriculumCurriculum

The MDE Thesis:The MDE Thesis:

Raising the mandated state graduation Raising the mandated state graduation requirements from .5 credits to 16 will requirements from .5 credits to 16 will assist in economic growth and increase assist in economic growth and increase academic standards. Academic standards academic standards. Academic standards in NCLB, MEAP and ACT, along with in NCLB, MEAP and ACT, along with graduation rates will improve.graduation rates will improve.

The Researcher’s ThesisThe Researcher’s Thesis

By the elimination of By the elimination of locallocal school district school district core graduation requirements, test scores core graduation requirements, test scores will suffer and graduation rates will fall. will suffer and graduation rates will fall. The two groups impacting these potential The two groups impacting these potential consequences will be special education consequences will be special education students and students at-risk.students and students at-risk.

*About the researcher: Since 1974, has done every job in *About the researcher: Since 1974, has done every job in K-12 public schools from bus driver to Superintendent. K-12 public schools from bus driver to Superintendent.

Conflicting TheoriesConflicting Theories

MDE = 16 Mandated Credits will improve test MDE = 16 Mandated Credits will improve test scores and graduation rates and employability.scores and graduation rates and employability.

VSVSThe Critical Thesis Question = 16 Mandated The Critical Thesis Question = 16 Mandated Credits will lower test scores, decrease Credits will lower test scores, decrease graduation rates and not adversely affect graduation rates and not adversely affect employability.employability.

The Political Winds of ReformThe Political Winds of Reform The Northwest Breeze Over the The Northwest Breeze Over the

Great Lakes Great Lakes Only two other states besides Michigan Only two other states besides Michigan

have a .5 credit graduation requirement.have a .5 credit graduation requirement. The Michigan based economy goes cold.The Michigan based economy goes cold. Politicians and law makers use the Politicians and law makers use the

increase in graduation requirements as a increase in graduation requirements as a political reform with little opposition.political reform with little opposition.

Most educational groups and associations Most educational groups and associations around the state endorse the MMC reform.around the state endorse the MMC reform.

The Missing Data LinkThe Missing Data Link

Michigan High School Data InformationMichigan High School Data Information In 2006, the average state total graduation credit In 2006, the average state total graduation credit

requirement is 22.6.requirement is 22.6. Approximately 15% of Michigan’s graduating Approximately 15% of Michigan’s graduating

seniors graduate with a GPA less than 2.0.seniors graduate with a GPA less than 2.0. The total number of special ed students and The total number of special ed students and

students at-risk is growing in the state of students at-risk is growing in the state of Michigan. Michigan.

Therefore ???????????????Therefore ???????????????

Where Have the C’s GoneWhere Have the C’s Gone

Impressions from the focus groups may suggest Impressions from the focus groups may suggest that we have a lot less C students (cumulative that we have a lot less C students (cumulative GPA) in Michigan high schools. GPA) in Michigan high schools.

Therefore, the well intended political MMC Therefore, the well intended political MMC reform may be missing its intended target.reform may be missing its intended target.

Survey Fact #1Survey Fact #1

Most of Michigan’s graduating high school Most of Michigan’s graduating high school seniors are driven to meet college seniors are driven to meet college requirements that greatly exceed MMC requirements that greatly exceed MMC standards.standards.


The group of Michigan High School The group of Michigan High School students most affected by MMC are at-risk students most affected by MMC are at-risk and special education students.and special education students.


The majority of survey respondents The majority of survey respondents expressed great concern about vocational expressed great concern about vocational school attendance under the new MMC school attendance under the new MMC reform.reform.

EMU Research DesignEMU Research Design

Phase IPhase I Distribution of 1000 email surveys to 527 Distribution of 1000 email surveys to 527

Michigan School District Administrators (High Michigan School District Administrators (High School Principals and Assistant Principals, School Principals and Assistant Principals, Curriculum Directors, Special Education Curriculum Directors, Special Education Directors, Alternative High School Principals)Directors, Alternative High School Principals)

Response Rate 8%Response Rate 8%


Phase IIPhase II Four focus groups in Wayne, Kent, Oakland, Four focus groups in Wayne, Kent, Oakland,

and Eastern Upper Peninsula ISDs.and Eastern Upper Peninsula ISDs. Special Ed Directors, High School Principals Special Ed Directors, High School Principals

and Alternative Ed Principalsand Alternative Ed Principals 90 Minute focus group questions and 90 Minute focus group questions and

discussions.discussions. 35 Focus group participants.35 Focus group participants.


Assimilation of quantitative email surveys Assimilation of quantitative email surveys and qualitative focus group responsesand qualitative focus group responses

Respondents’ Demographic Respondents’ Demographic Information #1Information #1

High School Student Populations SurveyedHigh School Student Populations Surveyed

9%

16%

34%

33%

8%

Less Than 500

500-999

1,000-1,499

1,500-1,999

2000 Plus


52% of the respondents indicated special 52% of the respondents indicated special education high school percentage when education high school percentage when compared to general education students is compared to general education students is between 11-15%between 11-15%


46%42%

9%

3%

Urban

Rural

Suburban

Alternative HighSchool

Quantitative Survey Results #1Quantitative Survey Results #1

65% of the respondents indicated that 65% of the respondents indicated that graduation requirements at their high graduation requirements at their high school prior to MMC was between 21-23 school prior to MMC was between 21-23 credits.credits.

90% of respondents indicated that no 90% of respondents indicated that no changes would be made to their total changes would be made to their total graduation requirements post MMC graduation requirements post MMC reform.reform.


90% of the respondents indicated 90% of the respondents indicated modifications in the middle school modifications in the middle school curriculum in meeting the MMC curriculum in meeting the MMC requirements.requirements.

63% of the respondents said that 63% of the respondents said that elective credit offerings will decrease.elective credit offerings will decrease.


29% of respondents said they would be 29% of respondents said they would be implementing a tri-semester schedule implementing a tri-semester schedule effective September 2007.effective September 2007.

40% of respondent districts responded a 40% of respondent districts responded a decrease in vocational education decrease in vocational education participation by the year 2011.participation by the year 2011.

Qualitative Survey Results #1Qualitative Survey Results #1

93% of the respondent districts indicated 93% of the respondent districts indicated that from 2004 to 2007, alternative high that from 2004 to 2007, alternative high school student attendance numbers has school student attendance numbers has either stayed the same or increased.either stayed the same or increased.

99% of the respondent school districts 99% of the respondent school districts indicated indicated NONO additional staff would be additional staff would be hired to assist alternative ed and at-risk hired to assist alternative ed and at-risk students in meeting the new MMC students in meeting the new MMC standards.standards.

Qualitative Survey Results #2Qualitative Survey Results #2

93% of respondent districts 93% of respondent districts indicated that the new MMC indicated that the new MMC graduation standards would graduation standards would decrease graduation rates.decrease graduation rates.

Qualitative Results #3Qualitative Results #3

87% of the respondents report that they 87% of the respondents report that they are going to continue providing academic are going to continue providing academic support systems and resources for at-risk support systems and resources for at-risk and special education students in the and special education students in the 2007-2008 school year.2007-2008 school year.

91% of the respondents are either unsure 91% of the respondents are either unsure or are expecting no new support systems or are expecting no new support systems to be in place for the MMC reform.to be in place for the MMC reform.

Focus Group QuotesFocus Group Quotes

““In terms of the total number of electives, In terms of the total number of electives, for us, it is going down by about three for us, it is going down by about three credits as we funnel more kids into those credits as we funnel more kids into those core areas. So our elective courses are core areas. So our elective courses are taking the hits, so to speak.” 6/13/2007taking the hits, so to speak.” 6/13/2007

““We are looking at the tri-mester, but we We are looking at the tri-mester, but we are also looking at less electives if we are also looking at less electives if we don’t make that change.” 6/27/2007don’t make that change.” 6/27/2007

Focus Group QuotesFocus Group Quotes

““I can tell you this, my [sister’s school] I can tell you this, my [sister’s school] moved to tri-mesters and the staff is not moved to tri-mesters and the staff is not happy!” 6/27/2007happy!” 6/27/2007

““In our particular case, we’re In our particular case, we’re

going to a 75 minute period, going to a 75 minute period,

which means we gain almost which means we gain almost

20 minutes per hour.” 6/13/200720 minutes per hour.” 6/13/2007

Focus Group QuotesFocus Group Quotes ““I would like to be optimistic, but I think it’s I would like to be optimistic, but I think it’s

going to be very difficult for special ed kids to going to be very difficult for special ed kids to graduate under these terms.” 6/27/2007graduate under these terms.” 6/27/2007

““And I just wand to emphasize not only for And I just wand to emphasize not only for special ed students, but also for general ed special ed students, but also for general ed students who may be weak or in that low students who may be weak or in that low average range, it’s going to be difficult for average range, it’s going to be difficult for them too.” 6/27/2007them too.” 6/27/2007

““I think for the challenged students who are I think for the challenged students who are not special ed eligible, [the graduation rate] not special ed eligible, [the graduation rate] may decrease.” 6/27/2007may decrease.” 6/27/2007

Demographic Qualitative Demographic Qualitative ImpressionsImpressions

Focus Group FeedbackFocus Group Feedback Impression #1Impression #1

Lots of frustration about how to make MMC workLots of frustration about how to make MMC work

Impression #2Impression #2 Lots of frustration about how to make it work with Lots of frustration about how to make it work with

accountability standards (Federal and State)accountability standards (Federal and State)

Impression #3Impression #3 Many districts are taking on a “wait and see” Many districts are taking on a “wait and see”

attitudeattitude

What Can We Expect in the Year What Can We Expect in the Year 2011?2011?

Five main questions for the State of Michigan:Five main questions for the State of Michigan:

Q1: What will graduation rates look like?Q1: What will graduation rates look like? Q2: What will happen with elective offerings in high Q2: What will happen with elective offerings in high

school?school? Q3: What will alternative high school attendance look Q3: What will alternative high school attendance look

like?like? Q4: What will the structured school day look like?Q4: What will the structured school day look like? Q5: Will the 2011 MMC standards help with Q5: Will the 2011 MMC standards help with

employability?employability?

Question #1Question #1

What will graduation rates look like in What will graduation rates look like in the year 2011?the year 2011?

Contrary to the best intentions of the state, Contrary to the best intentions of the state, 93% of the respondents said they will most 93% of the respondents said they will most likely decrease.likely decrease.

Question #2Question #2What will happen with elective offerings in What will happen with elective offerings in

high school?high school?

Even with the overwhelming integration of Even with the overwhelming integration of tri-semesters, 63% of respondents said tri-semesters, 63% of respondents said that elective offerings for students will that elective offerings for students will most likely decrease.most likely decrease.


What will alternative high school attendance What will alternative high school attendance look like?look like?

95% of95% of rrespondents stated that espondents stated that

there will there will be a major increase inbe a major increase in both des both desireire of students andof students and

placeme placementnt in alternative in alternative highhigh schools. schools.


What will the structured school dayWhat will the structured school day

look like?look like?

80% of respondents said80% of respondents said

classes will be longer.classes will be longer.


Will the 2011 MMC standards help with Will the 2011 MMC standards help with employability?employability?

88% of the respondents say88% of the respondents say

NO.NO.

The centralized mandated state reform act of The centralized mandated state reform act of MMC has decimated local school district MMC has decimated local school district

governments and autonomy. Local economy governments and autonomy. Local economy allows school districts to customize allows school districts to customize

graduation requirements to their unique graduation requirements to their unique student populations. Centralized state student populations. Centralized state

control could create catastrophic academic control could create catastrophic academic hardships for special ed and at-risk students, hardships for special ed and at-risk students,

ultimatelyultimately increasing increasing drop-out rates.drop-out rates.

Existing evidence: we know that special ed and Existing evidence: we know that special ed and at-risk students have struggled with local district at-risk students have struggled with local district graduation requirements prior to the MMC graduation requirements prior to the MMC reform.reform.

Now: we have radically increased the graduation Now: we have radically increased the graduation bar, yet, 98% of respondent school districts have bar, yet, 98% of respondent school districts have developed developed nono intervention plans to assist this intervention plans to assist this challenging population.challenging population.

Local School DistrictsLocal School DistrictsMMC MMC

Recommendations/SuggestionsRecommendations/Suggestions #1 By fourth grade we need to profile and #1 By fourth grade we need to profile and

intervene academically challenged students.intervene academically challenged students. #2 Academically challenged students need #2 Academically challenged students need

year-round schooling – must be a summer year-round schooling – must be a summer mandate.mandate.

#3 Identify at-risk learners LEARNING STYLES #3 Identify at-risk learners LEARNING STYLES and tag them with it. (IEP Concept)and tag them with it. (IEP Concept)

#4 School must be incorporate more technology #4 School must be incorporate more technology to make learning to make learning entertainingentertaining and and funfun..

Conflicting Theories Conflicting Theories Part IIPart II

MDE = 16 Mandated Credits will improve test scores and graduation MDE = 16 Mandated Credits will improve test scores and graduation rates and employability.rates and employability.

VSVSThe Critical Thesis Question = 16 Mandated Credits will lower test The Critical Thesis Question = 16 Mandated Credits will lower test scores, decrease graduation rates and not adversely affect scores, decrease graduation rates and not adversely affect employability.employability.

The answer to which theory is most prevalent The answer to which theory is most prevalent in 2011 rests in the hands of local school in 2011 rests in the hands of local school district administrators. If the state’s theory is district administrators. If the state’s theory is proven to be correct, we will need major proven to be correct, we will need major interventions for at-risk and special ed interventions for at-risk and special ed students to begin immediately.students to begin immediately.

Questions?Questions?Thank you,Thank you,

Derrick R. Fries, Ph.D.Derrick R. Fries, Ph.D.

(248) 941-1365(248) 941-1365

Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University

michigan merit curriculum concerns

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credit graduation requirement

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