Legislation
Michigan Merit Curriculum Legislation
On April 20, 2006 Governor Jennifer Granholm signed the Michigan Merit Curriculum into law. This law expands the graduation requirements of Michigan students, starting with the Class of 2011 cohort.
The new requirements include:
- Four credits of Mathematics
- Four credits of English Language Arts
- Three credits of Science
- Three credits of Social Studies
- One credit of Physical Education and Health
- One credit of Visual, Performing and Applied Arts
- Some Online Learning Experience (through a course or integrated learning experience)
- Two credits of Language other than English (in grades 9-12, or an equivalent learning experience in grades K-12)
Michigan Merit Curriculum Legislation - Details
Michigan Promise Scholarship Legislation
The Michigan Promise Grant Act was signed into law in 2006, replacing the old Michigan Merit Award created in 1999. The 1999 Michigan Merit Award provided up to $3000 for students who scored well on the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP).
The Promise Scholarship provided up to $4000 to students who completed two years of postsecondary education, giving students who did not do well on state tests an opportunity to earn state funding. Students who scored well on the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) could receive $2000 during the first two years of their postsecondary enrollment (in two $1000 installments), and an additional $2000 upon completion of the two years with a 2.5 grade point average. Students who did not achieve satisfactory scores on their MME , but who completed two years of postsecondary education with a 2.5 grade point average, received the $4000 upon completion.
The Michigan Promise Scholarship was eliminated from state appropriations in 2009.