Association of Michigan School Counselors

Personal Curriculum Guidance Update – In October 2007, the Michigan Department of Education released personal curriculum guidelines to support and clarify the use of this option. The personal curriculum, as established in section 380.1278b of the Revised School Code, allows specific modifications to be made to requirements of the Michigan Merit Curriculum under certain conditions in order to individualize the rigor and relevance of the educational experience. While the law specifies the areas in which modifications may be made for specific groups of students, the personal curriculum is intended to help make the Michigan Merit Curriculum accessible to all students while maintaining the academic rigor required to uphold the integrity of the high school diploma.
Action Alert: Urge Your Senators to Co-Sponsor the Pathways to College Act Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) has introduced the Pathways to College Act (S 3326), a bill designed to increase the number of low-income and first generation students enrolling in and succeeding in college. The bill draws on research and recommendations from NACAC and from findings of the Consortium on Chicago School Research. The bill would provide grant funds to high need school districts to improve school counseling services and increase students’ access to postsecondary planning and information. Use NACAC’s Legislative Action Center to contact our Senators and urge them to join Senator Durbin in co-sponsoring S 3326.
• Pathways to College Act (S 3326)
• Consortium on Chicago School Research
• NACAC’s Legislative Action Center
House Bill 5868 (2008) – New school counselor ratio introduced.
High School Graduation Requirement Legislation
- Public Act 123 – former House Bill 5606 signed by the governor, April 20, 2006.
- Public Act 124 – former Senate Bill 1124 signed by the governor, April 20, 2006.
- House Bill 5606 Revision History may be viewed on the archive page.
Article and Editorial in Detroit News this week demand Michigan to improve counselor to student ratio, December 1, 2005.
- Shortage of Counselors hurts Michigan students, families
- Counselor shortage leaves students adrift
State Board Reviews Flanagan's Recommendations For State High School Graduation Requirements , November 16, 2005
Per the Gongwer Report Sept. 19, 2005:
TESTING EVACUEE STUDENTS: Federal law requires that even the students displaced by Hurricane Katrina take the Michigan Educational Assessment Program math and English tests, but the Department of Education has given school districts taking in the evacuees the option of giving those students the science and social studies tests.

"These children have gone through a horrible ordeal," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. "For those students who still carry the severe emotional scars, it wouldn't be appropriate to add on the stress of taking these state tests."
AMSC Board Update , February, 2006 (PDF)
MEAP Service Ruling , June, 2005 (PDF) – Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox overruled the 40-hour community service hour requirement for the MEAP Merit Award Scholarship earlier this summer.

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