Roseville High
School students can currently earn 24 credits over four
years through the successful completion of six classes per
semester. They can graduate with 23 credits, 13 of which are
in required courses.
The newly adopted Michigan Merit high
school curriculum, which takes effect this fall, will
mandate a total of 18 required classes for all students.
They include 14 core credits in English/language arts, math,
science, and social studies, plus one credit in health and
physical education, another in the arts, and 2 credits in
world languages.
Clearly, the new rules from the State
forced a review of the secondary schedule and how it meets
student needs. What happens to the student who wants to
develop skills in music, art, or career and technical
education, or wants to take advanced placement classes for
college? Where is room in the schedule when 18 of 24 credits
are locked in for everyone? How can student achievement be
improved in the wake of more demanding graduation
requirements?
The trimester system (three 12-week terms
each academic year) appears to hold some of the answers,
providing more learning opportunities for students. A
rigorous core curriculum can be supplemented with the same
elective options traditionally available at RHS. Students
will take five classes each term, and with 12 terms in four
years of high school, they can accumulate 30 credits.
Details of the plan
are presented elsewhere in these pages, but we believe this
change presents significant advantages:
-
Students can
fulfill the new, mandatory Michigan Merit
Curriculum graduation requirements.
-
More flexibility
in scheduling preserves elective offerings and
student choice.
-
Fewer, longer
classes each day provide for more rigorous
instruction and improved achievement.
-
Fewer passing
times will decrease many associated behavioral
problems.
-
Change is
accomplished without adding staff and costs.
-
The State of
Michigan, colleges and universities all accept
the trimester plan as valid.
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