Rep. Abed Improves Curriculum Reform Bill

Change ensures students know of the personal curriculum option

LANSING — Rep. Theresa Abed (D-Grand Ledge) successfully added an amendment to House Bill 4466, a bill that reforms Michigan’s Merit Curriculum — the set of standards Michigan high school students must satisfy before earning a diploma. The bill passed the House today and was sent to the Senate. Her amendment reaffirms a student’s right to have a personal curriculum tailored to his or her own educational needs.

“I am pleased that families and students will now be informed that they have the right to request a personal curriculum,” said Rep. Abed. “Being able to learn through a personal curriculum instead of the standard curriculum that a school offers can be the difference between a student succeeding or failing in school.”

Abed’s amendment ensures that families will be notified that they can request a personal curriculum for their children. The added flexibility can aid students in danger of failing and can give advanced learners the ability to take classes that challenge them academically.

“Too often, parents and student don’t even know that they can request a personal curriculum,” said Abed. “I thank my colleagues for adopting my amendment to ensure that schools inform their students and parents of this option on an annual basis.”