2009 House Bill 4410

Remove Algebra II from high school graduation requirements

Introduced in the House

Feb. 24, 2009

Introduced by Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D-103)

To authorize an alternative public high school “general diploma” with reduced curriculum requirements from those required under a <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/2006-SB-1124">2006 law</a> establishing minimum statewide standards, and authorize up to 15 high school “specialty schools” with even lower requirements, subject to certain additional performance standards.

Referred to the Committee on Education

Aug. 19, 2009

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Sept. 2, 2009

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that does not create alternative public high school “general diploma,” but does eliminate the Algebra II requirement in the high school graduation standards <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/2006-SB-1124">high school graduation standards</a> adopted in 2006.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D-103)

To remove the determination of whether a proposed "career and technical education" course proposed as an alternative to Algebra II and Geometry requirements from the state Board of Education, and give it to the local school district.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Melton (D-29)

To clarify a provision that allows a "financial literacy" course as an alternative to Algebra II.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D-103)

To add to this bill the section of the law containing the rest of the high school graduation standards, which is a technical procedure that facilitates expanding the scope of proposed changes in negotiations with the Senate.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 97 to 10 (details)

To eliminate the Algebra II requirement in the high school <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/2006-SB-1124">graduation standards</a> adopted in 2006. The bill would allow students to instead take various alternative courses including "applied math," accounting, business math, "financial literacy," a "career and technical education" course approved by the school district, and more.

Received in the Senate

Sept. 9, 2009

Referred to the Committee on Education

Dec. 1, 2010

Substitute offered

To adopt a version of the bill that does not address graduation requirements, but instead deals with teacher tenure. See Senate-passed version for details.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 21 to 14 (details)

To require schools to rate teachers as "effective" or "ineffective," with at least 45 percent of the rating based on student performance, and require these ratings be used for teacher tenure decisions.

Received in the House

Dec. 1, 2010

To concur with the House-passed version of the bil.