STATISTICS OR FINANCIAL LITERACY

TO MEET ALGEBRA II REQUIREMENT

House Bill 4271 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Gary Howell

Committee:  Education

Complete to 4-29-19

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4271 would amend the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) requirements in the Revised School Code.

As described in greater detail in Background, below, in order to be awarded a high school diploma, high school students currently must complete four credits in mathematics. This must include at least algebra I, geometry, and algebra II (or an integrated three-credit sequence of that content), as well as a credit from a list of subjects including statistics and financial literacy. 

The bill would retain the four-credit math requirement, but would allow a student to fulfill the    algebra II requirement by completing a statistics course or the financial literacy course described in section 1165 of the School Code. It would also incorporate the option of taking statistics or financial literacy as an alternative to algebra II into the mathematics options under a personal curriculum.

Currently, section 1165 requires the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to develop—and encourages districts to adopt—a model program on financial literacy incorporating financial education throughout the curriculum for grades K to 12, which must be based on the concept of achieving financial literacy through the teaching of personal management skills and the basic principles involved with earning, spending, saving, borrowing, and investing. 

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

MCL 380.1278a and 380.1278b

BRIEF DISCUSSION:

According to testimony on a similar bill[1] in the 2017-18 session, which noted that the U.S. passed one trillion dollars in credit card debt in March of 2018, that bill was intended to ensure that students were financially literate and to better prepare them for their lives after high school. 

BACKGROUND:

Michigan high school students must complete the Merit Standard Curriculum, or an alternative personal curriculum (developed by faculty with the student, parents, and the school superintendent), in order to earn a high school diploma. The Merit Curriculum, described in sections 1278a and 1278b of the Code, entails the following course of study:

·         4 credits in English language arts.

·         3 credits in science, including at least biology and either chemistry, physics, anatomy, or agricultural science, or a program providing the same content (with a fourth science credit strongly encouraged). A student may fulfill the requirement for the third science credit by completing an MDE-approved computer science program or curriculum or formal career and technical education (CTE) program or curriculum.

·         4 credits in mathematics, including at least algebra I, geometry, and algebra II (or an integrated 3-credit sequence of this content), plus an additional math credit in trigonometry, statistics, precalculus, calculus, applied math, accounting, business math, a retake of algebra II, or a course in financial literacy. A student may also fulfill the algebra II requirements by completing an MDE-approved formal CTE program or curriculum that has appropriately embedded mathematics content as described in the law. Each student must take a math course during the final year of high school enrollment.

·         3 credits in social science, including at least 1 credit in United States history and geography, 1 credit in world history and geography, 1/2 credit in economics, and a civics course.  The 1/2-credit economics requirement may be satisfied by completion of at least a 1/2-credit course in personal economics that includes a financial literacy component as long as that course meets certain requirements.

·         1 credit in health and physical education.

·         1 credit in visual, performing, or applied arts.

·         2 credits that are grade-appropriate in a language other than English between kindergarten and twelfth grade, beginning with the class of 2016. For students graduating high school in 2016 to 2024 only, 1 credit of that requirement may be met in whole or in part by completing an MDE-approved formal CTE program or curriculum or by completing visual or performing arts instruction that is in addition to the 1 credit of visual arts, performing arts, or applied arts that is also required to receive a high school diploma.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bills would have no fiscal impact for the state or for school districts, public school academies (PSAs), or intermediate school districts (ISDs).

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                                Fiscal Analysts:   Samuel Christensen

                                                                                                                           Jacqueline Mullen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.

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