Michigan: College and Career Policies

Michigan follows the Learning Forward standards of learning communities, leadership, resources, data, learning designs, implementation, and outcomes.

In 2011, the National Research Council released A Framework for K-12 Science Education, which set forth guidance for science standards development
based on the research on how students learn best. This extensive body of research suggests students need to be engaged in doing science by engaging the same practices used by scientists and engineers. Furthermore, students should engage in science and engineering practices in the context of core ideas that become ever more sophisticated as students move through school. Students also need to see the connections of these disciplinary-based core ideas to the bigger science concepts that cross disciplinary lines. The proposed Michigan standards are built on this research-based framework. The framework was used in the development of the Next Generation Science Standards, for which Michigan was a lead partner.

Michigan requires 3 credits of science courses to graduate.

In June 2014, the Michigan Legislature required the Michigan Department of Education to develop a new test for spring 2015.The Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) will include the state's summative assessments. English language arts and mathematics will be assessed in grades 3–8, science in grades 4 and 7, and social studies in grades 5 and 8. It also includes the Michigan Merit Examination in 11th grade, which consists of the ACT Plus Writing, WorkKeys, and M-STEP summative assessments in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Michigan requires 3 credits of social studies to graduate.

The State Board of Education has authority to lead in developing a vision and comprehensive plan for redesigning Michigan school organization and finance that supports attainment of robust learning standards, necessary skills, and good outcomes for all students; and that provides the requisite, predictable and fairly delivered public funding to reasonably achieve these goals.

Professional development is required for teachers in order to renew a certificate.

The State Board of Education has authority over adoption of Career and Technical Education Standards.

The Michigan Department of Education requires the completion of a bachelor’s degree program, at minimum, from a state-approved teacher preparation program in order to be eligible for a teaching certificate. If you attended a teacher preparation program in another state, the Michigan Department of Education will recognize your credentials as long as that teacher preparation program is recognized for certification purposes by the Department of Education in that state. If you attended college in a foreign country, the Michigan Department of Education reserves the right to request a course-by-course evaluation of your credentials at the time of your online application for certification. Programs must be accredited and meet standards as determined by CAEP.

Michigan requires 4 credits of English to graduate.

Michigan aligned the math standards to the Common Core State Standards. Michigan K-12 Standards for Mathematics were adopted by the State Board of Education in 2010.