Personal Curriculum • Page - Belding Area Schools

A personal curriculum is a documented process that modifies certain requirements of the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

Who is Eligible for a Personal Curriculum?
All students in grades 9—12 are eligible. Students with a documented disability and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are eligible to modify the Michigan Merit Curriculum to a greater extent than their non disabled peers.

When Should a Personal Curriculum be Used?
The use of a personal curriculum is allowed by state statute for only three reasons:

A student wishes to modify the mathematics requirement;
A student wishes to go beyond the academic credit requirement by adding more math, science, English Language Arts, or foreign language credits;
A student with a disability needs to modify the credit requirements based on his/her disability.

Can a Personal Curriculum be Used to Modify the Entire Michigan Merit Curriculum?

The purpose of the personal curriculum is to modify portions of the Michigan Merit Curriculum that are not appropriate for the student;
Graduation with a diploma requires mastery of as much of the Michigan Merit Curriculum content expectations as possible;
Students without a disability: modification is limited to a specific set of options set forth in the law;
Students with a disability who have an IEP: modifications of credit requirements may be sought;
Because a personal curriculum leads to a high school diploma, it cannot modify the Michigan Merit Curriculum to the extent that it creates an alternative curriculum;
The personal curriculum must be based on the required competency-based credits, unless the deletion of a half-credit of math (second semester of Algebra II) is approved as part of the personal curriculum request.

Is a Student Eligible for a High School Diploma if They Have a Personal Curriculum?
A student who completes a personal curriculum and fulfills any additional local board of education graduation requirements is to be awarded a high school diploma.

Who Can Request a Personal Curriculum?

Parent or legal guardian
Student with adult status (age of majority)
Emancipated minor

When Can a Personal Curriculum be Requested?

Any time for students with disabilities;
No timeline for any student except in the areas of mathematics and social studies;
For more information, contact the guidance counselor/administrator.

What is the Process for Requesting a Personal Curriculum?
Complete a Personal Curriculum Request Form found in the guidance office and submit it to a guidance counselor/administrator.

Graduation Requirements 2011-2016

Students graduating in June 2011-15: 27 credits

4 English
4 Math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and one other)
3 Social studies (.5 civics, .5 Economics, US History and geography, World History and Geography)
3 Science (Biology, Chemistry OR Physics, and 1 additional credit)
1 PE/Health
1 Visual/Performing/Applied Arts
Online learning experience-either a course or online learning experience incorporated into EACH of the REQUIRED CREDITS

Students graduating in June 2016-: 27 credits plus additional requirements

4 English
4 Math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and one other)
3 Social Studies (.5 civics, .5 economics, US history and geography, World History and geography and 1 additional credit)
3 Science (Biology, Chemistry OR Physics, and 1 additional credit)
1 PE/Health
1 Visual/Performing/Applied Arts
2 World Languages credits
Online learning experience- either a course or online experience incorporated into EACH of the REQUIRED CREDITS

Special Education Students:
The Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) shall identify appropriate supports, accommodations, and /or modifications necessary to allow the pupil to progress in the mandated curricular requirements to meet the requirements for a high school diploma.
The appropriate course or course of study may be discussed at the IEP but it will not be specifically written into the IEP itself.