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HB5983 • 2026

Education: other; public innovative programs; provide for. Amends secs. 1278a, 1278b & 1284a of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278a et seq.) & adds sec. 1278e. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5984'26

Education: other; public innovative programs; provide for. Amends secs. 1278a, 1278b & 1284a of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278a et seq.) & adds sec. 1278e. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5984'26

Education
Active

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Sponsor
Jimmie Wilson (District 32), Nancy DeBoer (District 86)
Last action
2026-06-23
Official status
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Education: other; public innovative programs; provide for. Amends secs. 1278a, 1278b & 1284a of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278a et seq.) & adds sec. 1278e. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5984'26

Education: other; public innovative programs; provide for.

What This Bill Does

  • Education: other; public innovative programs; provide for.
  • Amends secs.
  • 1278a, 1278b & 1284a of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278a et seq.) & adds sec.
  • 1278e.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

H-3

5

reported with recommendation with substitute (H-3)

Plain English: reported with recommendation with substitute (H-3) 5

  • The official amendment file could not be read automatically during the last sync, so only the official amendment metadata is shown right now.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-23 SJ 56 Pg. 701

    PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

  2. 2026-06-23 SJ 56 Pg. 701

    REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

  3. 2026-06-17 HJ 48 Pg. 818

    read a third time

  4. 2026-06-17 HJ 48 Pg. 818

    passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #215 Yeas 107 Nays 0 Excused 0 Not Voting 3

  5. 2026-06-17 HJ 48 Pg. 818

    transmitted

  6. 2026-06-16 HJ 47 Pg. 796

    read a second time

  7. 2026-06-16 HJ 47 Pg. 796

    substitute (H-3) adopted

  8. 2026-06-16 HJ 47 Pg. 796

    placed on third reading

  9. 2026-06-03 HJ 42 Pg. 692

    reported with recommendation with substitute (H-3)

  10. 2026-06-03 HJ 42 Pg. 692

    referred to second reading

  11. 2026-05-20 HJ 39 Pg. 636

    bill electronically reproduced 05/19/2026

  12. 2026-05-19 HJ 38 Pg. 632

    introduced by Representative Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr.

  13. 2026-05-19 HJ 38 Pg. 632

    read a first time

  14. 2026-05-19 HJ 38 Pg. 632

    referred to Committee on Education and Workforce

Official Summary Text

Education: other; public innovative programs; provide for. Amends secs. 1278a, 1278b & 1284a of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278a et seq.) & adds sec. 1278e. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5984'26

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
HB-5983, As Passed House, June 17, 2026

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SUBSTITUTE FOR
HOUSE BILL NO. 5983
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled
"The revised school code,"
by amending sections 1278a, 1278b, and 1284a (MCL 380.1278a,
380.1278b, and 380.1284a), sections 1278a and 1278b as amended by
2022 PA 105 and section 1284a as added by 2007 PA 101, and by
adding section 1278e.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1278a. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, 1
or section 1278b, or section 1278e, the board of a school district 2
or board of directors of a public school academy shall not award a 3
high school diploma to a pupil unless the pupil meets all of the 4
following: 5
(a) Has successfully completed all of the following credit 6
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requirements of the Michigan merit standard before graduating from 1
high school: 2
(i) At least 4 credits in mathematics that are aligned with 3
subject area content expectations developed by the department and 4
approved by the state board under section 1278b, including 5
completion of at least algebra I, geometry, and algebra II, or an 6
integrated sequence of this course content that consists of 3 7
credits, and an additional mathematics credit, such as 8
trigonometry, statistics, precalculus, calculus, applied math, 9
accounting, business math, a retake of algebra II, or, for only 10
pupils entering grade 8 before 2023, a course in financial literacy 11
as described in section 1165. A pupil may complete algebra II over 12
2 years with 2 credits awarded or over 1.5 years with 1.5 credits 13
awarded for the purposes of this section and section 1278b. A pupil 14
also may partially or fully fulfill the algebra II requirement by 15
completing a department-approved formal career and technical 16
education program or curriculum, such as a program or curriculum in 17
electronics, machining, construction, welding, engineering, 18
computer science, or renewable energy, and in that program or 19
curriculum successfully completing the same content as the algebra 20
II benchmarks assessed on the department-prescribed state high 21
school assessment, as determined by the department. The department 22
shall post on its website guidelines for implementation of the 23
immediately preceding sentence. Each pupil must successfully 24
complete at least 1 mathematics course during his or her the 25
pupil's final year of high school enrollment. This subparagraph 26
does not require completion of mathematics courses in any 27
particular sequence. 28
(ii) At least 3 credits in social science that are aligned with 29
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subject area content expectations developed by the department and 1
approved by the state board under section 1278b, including 2
completion of at least 1 credit in United States history and 3
geography, 1 credit in world history and geography, 1/2 credit in 4
economics, and the civics course described in section 1166(2). For 5
only pupils entering grade 8 before 2023, the 1/2-credit economics 6
requirement may be satisfied by completion of at least a 1/2-credit 7
course in personal economics that includes a financial literacy 8
component as described in section 1165, if that course covers the 9
subject area content expectations for economics developed by the 10
department and approved by the state board under section 1278b. The 11
1/2 credit in economics required under this subparagraph cannot be 12
fulfilled by completion of the 1/2 credit course in personal 13
finance described in subsection (3). 14
(iii) At least 1 credit in subject matter that includes both 15
health and physical education aligned with guidelines developed by 16
the department and approved by the state board under section 1278b, 17
or at least 1/2 credit in health aligned with guidelines developed 18
by the department and approved by the state board under section 19
1278b and at least 1/2 credit awarded by the school district or 20
public school academy for approved participation in extracurricular 21
athletics or other extracurricular activities involving physical 22
activity. 23
(iv) At least 1 credit in visual arts, performing arts, or 24
applied arts, as defined by the department, that is aligned with 25
guidelines developed by the department and approved by the state 26
board under section 1278b. A school district or public school 27
academy is strongly encouraged to offer visual arts and performing 28
arts courses. 29
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(v) The credit requirements specified in section 1278b(1). 1
(b) Meets the online course or learning experience requirement 2
of this subsection. A school district or public school academy 3
shall provide the basic level of technology and internet access 4
required by the state board to complete the online course or 5
learning experience. For a pupil to meet this requirement, the 6
pupil must meet either of the following, as determined by the 7
school district or public school academy: 8
(i) Has successfully completed at least 1 course or learning 9
experience that is presented online, as defined by the department. 10
(ii) The pupil's school district or public school academy has 11
integrated an online experience throughout the high school 12
curriculum by ensuring that each teacher of each course that 13
provides the required credits of the Michigan merit curriculum has 14
integrated an online experience into the course. 15
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, and in 16
addition to the requirements under subsection (1), the board of a 17
school district or board of directors of a public school academy 18
shall not award a high school diploma to a pupil unless the pupil 19
has successfully completed during grades K to 12 at least 2 credits 20
that are grade-appropriate in a language other than English or 21
course work coursework or other learning experiences that are 22
substantially equivalent to 2 credits in a language other than 23
English, based on guidelines developed by the department. A pupil 24
may partially or fully fulfill 1 credit of this requirement by 25
completing a department-approved formal career and technical 26
education program or curriculum or by completing visual or 27
performing arts instruction that is in addition to the requirements 28
under subsection (1)(a)(iv). The board of a school district or board 29
5

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of directors of a public school academy is strongly encouraged to 1
ensure that all pupils complete at least 1 credit in a language 2
other than English in grades K to 6. For the purposes of this 3
subsection, both of the following apply: 4
(a) American Sign Language is considered to be a language 5
other than English. 6
(b) The pupil may meet all or part of this requirement with 7
online course work.coursework. 8
(3) Beginning with pupils entering grade 8 in 2023, the board 9
of a school district or board of directors of a public school 10
academy shall not award a high school diploma to a pupil unless the 11
pupil completes a 1/2 credit course in personal finance that aligns 12
with subject area content expectations developed by the department 13
and approved by the state board under section 1278b. The 1/2 credit 14
course in personal finance must fulfill 1/2 credit of mathematics 15
required under subsection (1)(a)(i), 1/2 credit of visual arts, 16
performing arts, or applied arts required under subsection 17
(1)(a)(iv), or 1/2 credit of a language other than English required 18
under subsection (2), as determined by the board of the school 19
district or board of directors of the public school academy in 20
which the pupil is enrolled. The 1/2 credit course in personal 21
finance required under this subsection may be fulfilled through a 22
department-approved formal career and technical education program 23
or curriculum that aligns with the subject area content 24
expectations developed by the department and approved by the state 25
board for the credit under section 1278b. 26
(4) The requirements under this section and section 1278b for 27
a high school diploma are in addition to any local requirements 28
imposed by the board of a school district or board of directors of 29
6

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a public school academy. The board of a school district or board of 1
directors of a public school academy, as a local requirement for a 2
high school diploma, may require a pupil to complete the Michigan 3
merit examination under section 1279g or may require a pupil to 4
participate in the MIAccess assessments if appropriate for the 5
pupil. 6
(5) For the purposes of this section and section 1278b, all of 7
the following apply: 8
(a) A pupil is considered to have completed a credit if the 9
pupil successfully completes the subject area content expectations 10
or guidelines developed by the department that apply to the credit. 11
For a career and technical education credit, a school district or 12
public school academy may supplement those content expectations and 13
guidelines with additional guidelines developed by the school 14
district or public school academy. 15
(b) A school district or public school academy shall base its 16
determination of whether a pupil has successfully completed the 17
subject area content expectations or guidelines developed by the 18
department that apply to a credit at least in part on the pupil's 19
performance on assessments developed or selected by the department 20
or on 1 or more assessments developed or selected by the school 21
district or public school academy that measure a pupil's 22
understanding of the subject area content expectations or 23
guidelines that apply to the credit. 24
(c) A school district or public school academy shall also 25
grant a pupil a credit if the pupil earns a qualifying score, as 26
determined by the department, on assessments developed or selected 27
for the subject area by the department or the pupil earns a 28
qualifying score, as determined by the school district or public 29
7

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school academy, on 1 or more assessments developed or selected by 1
the school district or public school academy that measure a pupil's 2
understanding of the subject area content expectations or 3
guidelines that apply to the credit. 4
(6) If a high school is designated by the superintendent of 5
public instruction as a specialty school and the high school meets 6
the requirements of subsection (7), the pupils of the high school 7
are not required to successfully complete the 4 credits in English 8
language arts required under section 1278b(1)(a) or the 3 credits 9
in social science required under subsection (1)(a)(ii) and the 10
school district or public school academy is not required to ensure 11
that each pupil is offered the curriculum necessary for meeting 12
those English language arts or social science credit requirements. 13
The superintendent of public instruction may designate up to 15 14
high schools that meet the requirements of this subsection as 15
specialty schools. Subject to this maximum number, the 16
superintendent of public instruction shall designate a high school 17
as a specialty school if the superintendent of public instruction 18
finds that the high school meets all of the following criteria: 19
(a) The high school incorporates a significant reading and 20
writing component throughout its curriculum. 21
(b) The high school uses a specialized, innovative, and 22
rigorous curriculum in such areas as performing arts, foreign 23
language, extensive use of internships, or other learning 24
innovations that conform to pioneering innovations among other 25
leading national or international high schools. 26
(7) A high school that is designated by the superintendent of 27
public instruction as a specialty school under subsection (6) is 28
only exempt from requirements as described under subsection (6) as 29
8

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long as the superintendent of public instruction finds that the 1
high school continues to meet all of the following requirements: 2
(a) The high school clearly states to prospective pupils and 3
their the prospective pupils' parents that it does not meet the 4
requirements of the Michigan merit standard under this section and 5
section 1278b but is a designated specialty school that is exempt 6
from some of those requirements and that a pupil who enrolls in the 7
high school and subsequently transfers to a high school that is not 8
a specialty school meeting the requirements of this subsection will 9
be required to comply with the requirements of the Michigan merit 10
standard under this section and section 1278b. 11
(b) For the most recent year for which the data are available, 12
the mean scores on both the mathematics and science portions of the 13
applicable state assessment for the pupils of the high school 14
exceed by at least 10% the mean scores on the mathematics and 15
science portions of the applicable state assessment for the pupils 16
of the school district in which the greatest number of the pupils 17
of the high school reside. 18
(c) For the most recent year for which the data are available, 19
the high school had a graduation rate of at least 85%, as 20
determined by the department. 21
(d) For the most recent year for which the data are available, 22
at least 75% of the pupils who graduated from the high school the 23
preceding year are enrolled in a postsecondary institution. 24
(e) All pupils of the high school are required to meet the 25
mathematics credit requirements of subsection (1)(a)(i), with no 26
modification of these requirements under section 1278b(5), and each 27
pupil is offered the curriculum necessary to meet this requirement. 28
(f) All pupils of the high school are required to meet the 29
9

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science credit requirements of section 1278b(1)(b) and are also 1
required to successfully complete at least 1 additional science 2
credit, for a total of at least 4 science credits, with no 3
modification of these requirements under section 1278b(5), and each 4
pupil is offered the curriculum necessary to meet this requirement. 5
(8) For a public innovative program operated under section 6
1278e, the department may waive any of the requirements of this 7
section as the department determines necessary to enable the 8
operation of the public innovative program. 9
Sec. 1278b. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, 10
or section 1278a, or section 1278e, as part of the requirements 11
under section 1278a the board of a school district or board of 12
directors of a public school academy shall not award a high school 13
diploma to a pupil unless the pupil has successfully completed all 14
of the following credit requirements of the Michigan merit standard 15
before graduating from high school: 16
(a) At least 4 credits in English language arts that are 17
aligned with subject area content expectations developed by the 18
department and approved by the state board under this section. 19
(b) At least 3 credits in science that are aligned with 20
subject area content expectations developed by the department and 21
approved by the state board under this section, including 22
completion of at least biology and either chemistry, physics, 23
anatomy, or agricultural science, or successfully completing a 24
program or curriculum that provides the same content as the 25
chemistry or physics benchmarks, as determined by the department. A 26
student may fulfill the requirement for the third science credit by 27
completing a department-approved computer science program or 28
curriculum or formal career and technical education program or 29
10

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curriculum. The legislature strongly encourages pupils to complete 1
a fourth credit in science, such as forensics, astronomy, Earth 2
science, agricultural science, environmental science, geology, 3
physics, chemistry, physiology, or microbiology. 4
(c) The credit requirements specified in section 1278a(1)(a)(i) 5
to (iv). 6
(2) If a pupil successfully completes 1 or more of the high 7
school credits required under subsection (1) or under section 8
1278a(1) or (3) before entering high school, the pupil must be 9
given high school credit for that credit. 10
(3) For the purposes of this section and section 1278a, the 11
department shall do all of the following: 12
(a) Develop subject area content expectations that apply to 13
the credit requirements of the Michigan merit standard that are 14
required under subsection (1)(a) and (b) and section 1278a(1)(a)(i) 15
and (ii) and the 1/2 credit course in personal finance required 16
under section 1278a(3) and develop guidelines for the remaining 17
credit requirements of the Michigan merit standard that are 18
required under this section and section 1278a(1)(a), for the online 19
course or learning experience required under section 1278a(1)(b), 20
and for the requirements for a language other than English under 21
section 1278a(2). All of the following apply to these subject area 22
content expectations and guidelines: 23
(i) All subject area content expectations must be consistent 24
with the state board recommended model core academic curriculum 25
content standards under section 1278. Subject area content 26
expectations or guidelines must not include attitudes, beliefs, or 27
value systems that are not essential in the legal, economic, and 28
social structure of our society and to the personal and social 29
11

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responsibility of citizens of our society. The subject area content 1
expectations must require pupils to demonstrate critical thinking 2
skills. 3
(ii) The subject area content expectations and the guidelines 4
must be approved by the state board under subsection (4). 5
(iii) The subject area content expectations must state in clear 6
and measurable terms what pupils are expected to know upon 7
completion of each credit. 8
(iv) The department shall complete the development of the 9
subject area content expectations that apply to algebra I and the 10
guidelines for the online course or learning experience under 11
section 1278a(1)(b) not later than August 1, 2006. 12
(v) The department shall complete development of the subject 13
area content expectations or guidelines that apply to each of the 14
other credits required in the Michigan merit standard under 15
subsection (1) and section 1278a(1)(a) not later than 1 year before 16
the beginning of the school year in which a pupil entering high 17
school in 2007 would normally be expected to complete the credit. 18
(vi) If the department has not completed development of the 19
subject area content expectations that apply to a particular credit 20
required in the Michigan merit standard under subsection (1) or 21
section 1278a(1)(a) by the date required under this subdivision, a 22
school district or public school academy may align the content of 23
the credit with locally adopted standards. 24
(vii) Until all of the subject area content expectations and 25
guidelines have been developed by the department and approved by 26
the state board, the department shall submit a report at least 27
every 6 months to the senate and house standing committees 28
responsible for education legislation on the status of the 29
12

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development of the subject area content expectations and 1
guidelines. The report must detail any failure by the department to 2
meet a deadline established under subparagraph (iv) or (v) and the 3
reasons for that failure. 4
(b) Develop and implement a process for developing the subject 5
area content expectations and guidelines required under this 6
section. This process must provide for all of the following: 7
(i) Soliciting input from all of the following groups: 8
(A) Recognized experts in the relevant subject areas. 9
(B) Representatives from 4-year colleges or universities, 10
community colleges, and other postsecondary institutions. 11
(C) Teachers, administrators, and school personnel who have 12
specialized knowledge of the subject area. 13
(D) Representatives from the business community. 14
(E) Representatives from vocational and career and technical 15
education providers. 16
(F) Government officials, including officials from the 17
legislature. 18
(G) Parents of public school pupils. 19
(ii) A review of the subject area content expectations or 20
guidelines by national experts. 21
(iii) An opportunity for the public to review and provide input 22
on the proposed subject area content expectations or guidelines 23
before they are submitted to the state board for approval. The time 24
period allowed for this review and input must be at least 15 25
business days. 26
(c) Determine the basic level of technology and internet 27
access required for pupils to complete the online course or 28
learning experience requirement of section 1278a(1)(b), and submit 29
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that determination to the state board for approval. 1
(d) Develop and make available material to assist school 2
districts and public school academies in implementing the 3
requirements of this section and section 1278a. This must include 4
developing guidelines for alternative instructional delivery 5
methods as described in subsection (7). 6
(4) The state board shall approve subject area content 7
expectations and guidelines developed by the department under 8
subsection (3) before those subject area content expectations and 9
guidelines may take effect. The state board also shall approve the 10
basic level of technology and internet access required for pupils 11
to complete the online course or learning experience requirement of 12
section 1278a(1)(b). 13
(5) The parent or legal guardian of a pupil who has completed 14
grade 9, a teacher who is currently teaching the pupil, who 15
currently teaches in or whose expertise is in a subject area 16
proposed to be modified by the personal curriculum, or who is 17
determined by the principal to have qualifications otherwise 18
relevant to developing a personal curriculum, or a school counselor 19
or school employee qualified to act in a counseling role under 20
section 1233 or 1233a may request a personal curriculum under this 21
subsection for the pupil that modifies certain of the Michigan 22
merit standard requirements under subsection (1) or section 23
1278a(1)(a). If the request for a personal curriculum is made by 24
the pupil's parent or legal guardian or, if the pupil is at least 25
age 18 or is an emancipated minor, by the pupil, the school 26
district or public school academy shall develop a personal 27
curriculum for the pupil. A teacher, school counselor, or school 28
employee qualified to act in a counseling role under section 1233 29
14

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or 1233a may contact a pupil's parent or legal guardian to discuss 1
the possibility and potential benefits of a personal curriculum 2
under this subsection for the pupil. If all of the requirements 3
under this subsection for completing a personal curriculum are met, 4
then the board of a school district or board of directors of a 5
public school academy may award a high school diploma to a pupil 6
who successfully completes his or her the pupil's personal 7
curriculum even if it does not meet the requirements of the 8
Michigan merit standard required under subsection (1) and section 9
1278a(1)(a). All of the following apply to a personal curriculum: 10
(a) The personal curriculum must be developed by a group that 11
includes at least the pupil, at least 1 of the pupil's parents or 12
the pupil's legal guardian, and a teacher described in this 13
subdivision or the pupil's high school counselor or another 14
designee qualified to act in a counseling role under section 1233 15
or 1233a selected by the high school principal. In addition, for a 16
pupil who receives special education services, a school 17
psychologist should also be included in this group. The teacher 18
included in the group developing the personal curriculum must be a 19
teacher who is currently teaching the pupil, who currently teaches 20
in or whose expertise is in a subject area being modified by the 21
personal curriculum, or who is determined by the principal to have 22
qualifications otherwise relevant to the group. This subdivision 23
does not require an in-person meeting of the group. 24
(b) The personal curriculum must do all of the following: 25
(i) Incorporate as much of the subject area content 26
expectations of the Michigan merit standard required under 27
subsection (1) and section 1278a(1)(a) as is practicable for the 28
pupil. 29
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(ii) Establish measurable goals that the pupil must achieve 1
while enrolled in high school. 2
(iii) Provide a method to evaluate whether the pupil achieved 3
the goals described in subparagraph (ii). 4
(iv) Align with the pupil's educational development plan 5
developed under subsection (11). 6
(c) Before it takes effect, the personal curriculum must be 7
agreed to by the pupil's parent or legal guardian and by the 8
superintendent of the school district or chief executive of the 9
public school academy or his or her the superintendent's or chief 10
executive's designee. 11
(d) The pupil's parent or legal guardian shall communicate 12
with each of the pupil's teachers to monitor the pupil's progress 13
toward the goals contained in the pupil's personal curriculum. 14
(e) Revisions may be made in the personal curriculum if the 15
revisions are developed and agreed to in the same manner as the 16
original personal curriculum. 17
(f) The English language arts credit requirements of 18
subsection (1)(a) and the science credit requirements of subsection 19
(1)(b) are not subject to modification as part of a personal 20
curriculum under this subsection. 21
(g) The mathematics credit requirements of section 22
1278a(1)(a)(i) may be modified as part of a personal curriculum if 23
the pupil successfully completes at least 3-1/2 total credits of 24
the mathematics credits required under that section before 25
completing high school, including algebra I and geometry, and 26
successfully completes at least 1 mathematics credit during his or 27
her the pupil's final 2 years of high school. The algebra II credit 28
required under that section may be modified as part of a personal 29
16

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curriculum under this subsection if the pupil meets 1 or more of 1
the following: 2
(i) Successfully completes the same content as 1 semester of 3
algebra II, as determined by the department. 4
(ii) Elects to complete the same content as algebra II over 2 5
years, with a credit awarded for each of those 2 years, and 6
successfully completes that content. 7
(iii) Enrolls in a formal career and technical education program 8
or curriculum and in that program or curriculum successfully 9
completes the same content as the algebra II benchmarks assessed on 10
the department-prescribed state high school assessment, as 11
determined by the department. 12
(iv) Successfully completes 1 semester of statistics, functions 13
and data analysis, or technical mathematics. 14
(h) The social science credit requirements of section 15
1278a(1)(a)(ii) may be modified as part of a personal curriculum 16
only if all of the following are met: 17
(i) The pupil has successfully completed 2 credits of the 18
social science credits required under section 1278a(1), including 19
the civics course described in section 1166(2). 20
(ii) The modification requires the pupil to complete 1 21
additional credit in English language arts, mathematics, or science 22
or 1 additional credit in a language other than English, or 23
requires the pupil to complete a formal career and technical 24
education program. This additional credit must be in addition to 25
the number of those credits otherwise required under subsection (1) 26
and section 1278a(1) or under section 1278a(2). 27
(i) The health and physical education credit requirement under 28
section 1278a(1)(a)(iii) may be modified as part of a personal 29
17

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curriculum only if the modification requires the pupil to complete 1
1 additional credit in English language arts, mathematics, or 2
science or 1 additional credit in a language other than English, or 3
requires the pupil to complete a formal career and technical 4
education program. This additional credit must be in addition to 5
the number of those credits otherwise required under subsection (1) 6
and section 1278a(1) or under section 1278a(2). 7
(j) The visual arts, performing arts, or applied arts credit 8
requirement under section 1278a(1)(a)(iv) may be modified as part of 9
a personal curriculum only if the modification requires the pupil 10
to complete 1 additional credit in English language arts, 11
mathematics, or science or 1 additional credit in a language other 12
than English, or requires the pupil to complete a formal career and 13
technical education program. This additional credit must be in 14
addition to the number of those credits otherwise required under 15
subsection (1) and section 1278a(1) or under section 1278a(2). 16
(k) If the parent or legal guardian of a pupil requests as 17
part of the pupil's personal curriculum a modification of the 18
Michigan merit standard requirements that would not otherwise be 19
allowed under this section and demonstrates that the modification 20
is necessary because the pupil is a child with a disability, the 21
school district or public school academy may allow that additional 22
modification to the extent necessary because of the pupil's 23
disability if the group under subdivision (a) determines that the 24
modification is consistent with both the pupil's educational 25
development plan under subsection (11) and the pupil's 26
individualized education program. If the superintendent of public 27
instruction has reason to believe that a school district or a 28
public school academy is allowing modifications inconsistent with 29
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the requirements of this subdivision, the superintendent of public 1
instruction shall monitor the school district or public school 2
academy to ensure that the school district's or public school 3
academy's policies, procedures, and practices are in compliance 4
with the requirements for additional modifications under this 5
subdivision. As used in this subdivision, "child with a disability" 6
means that term as defined in 20 USC 1401. 7
(l) If a pupil transfers to a school district or public school 8
academy from out of state or from a nonpublic school, the pupil's 9
parent or legal guardian may request, as part of the pupil's 10
personal curriculum, a modification of the Michigan merit standard 11
requirements that would not otherwise be allowed under this 12
section. The school district or public school academy may allow 13
this additional modification for a transfer pupil if all of the 14
following are met: 15
(i) The transfer pupil has successfully completed at least the 16
equivalent of 2 years of high school credit out of state or at a 17
nonpublic school. The school district or public school academy may 18
use appropriate assessment examinations to determine what credits, 19
if any, the pupil has earned out of state or at a nonpublic school 20
that may be used to satisfy the curricular requirements of the 21
Michigan merit standard and this subdivision. 22
(ii) The transfer pupil's personal curriculum incorporates as 23
much of the subject area content expectations of the Michigan merit 24
standard as is practicable for the pupil. 25
(iii) The transfer pupil's personal curriculum requires the 26
pupil to successfully complete at least 1 mathematics course during 27
his or her the transfer pupil's final year of high school 28
enrollment. In addition, if the transfer pupil is enrolled in the 29
19

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school district or public school academy for at least 1 full school 1
year, both of the following apply: 2
(A) The transfer pupil's personal curriculum must require that 3
this mathematics course is at least algebra I. 4
(B) If the transfer pupil demonstrates that he or she the 5
transfer pupil has mastered the content of algebra I, the transfer 6
pupil's personal curriculum must require that this mathematics 7
course is a course normally taken after completing algebra I. 8
(iv) The transfer pupil's personal curriculum includes the 9
civics course described in section 1166(2). 10
(m) If a pupil is at least age 18 or is an emancipated minor, 11
the pupil may act on his or her the pupil's own behalf under this 12
subsection. 13
(n) This subsection does not apply to a pupil enrolled in a 14
high school that is designated as a specialty school under section 15
1278a(6) and that is exempt under that section from the English 16
language arts requirement under subsection (1)(a) and the social 17
science credit requirement under section 1278a(1)(a)(ii). 18
(o) The department or a school district or public school 19
academy shall not limit or discourage the number of pupils with a 20
personal curriculum on any basis other than the best interests of 21
each individual pupil. 22
(p) A school district or public school academy annually shall 23
notify each of its pupils and a parent or legal guardian of each of 24
its pupils that all pupils are entitled to a personal curriculum 25
under this subsection. The annual notice must include an 26
explanation of what a personal curriculum is and state that if a 27
personal curriculum is requested, the public school or public 28
school academy will grant that request. The school district or 29
20

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public school academy shall provide this annual notice to parents 1
and legal guardians by sending a written notice to each pupil's 2
home or by including the notice in a newsletter, student handbook, 3
or similar communication that is sent to a pupil's home, and also 4
shall post the notice on the school district's or public school 5
academy's website. 6
(6) If a pupil receives special education services, the 7
pupil's individualized education program, in accordance with the 8
individuals with disabilities education act, title VI of Public Law 9
91-230, must identify the appropriate course or courses of study 10
and identify the supports, accommodations, and modifications 11
necessary to allow the pupil to progress in the curricular 12
requirements of this section and section 1278a, or in a personal 13
curriculum as provided under subsection (5), and meet the 14
requirements for a high school diploma. 15
(7) The board of a school district or board of directors of a 16
public school academy that operates a high school shall ensure that 17
each pupil is offered the curriculum necessary for the pupil to 18
meet the curricular requirements of this section and section 1278a. 19
The board or board of directors may provide this curriculum by 20
providing the credits specified in this section and section 1278a, 21
by using alternative instructional delivery methods such as 22
alternative course work, coursework, humanities course sequences, 23
career and technical education, industrial technology courses, or 24
vocational education, or by a combination of these. School 25
districts and public school academies that operate career and 26
technical education programs are encouraged to integrate the credit 27
requirements of this section and section 1278a into those programs. 28
(8) If the board of a school district or board of directors of 29
21

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a public school academy wants its high school to be accredited 1
under section 1280, the board or board of directors shall ensure 2
that all elements of the curriculum required under this section and 3
section 1278a are made available to all affected pupils. If a 4
school district or public school academy does not offer all of the 5
required credits, the board of the school district or board of 6
directors of the public school academy shall ensure that the pupil 7
has access to the required credits by another means, such as 8
enrollment in a postsecondary course under the postsecondary 9
enrollment options act, 1996 PA 160, MCL 388.511 to 388.524; 10
enrollment in an online course; a cooperative arrangement with a 11
neighboring school district or with a public school academy; 12
participation in a public innovative program under section 1278e; 13
or granting approval under section 6(6) of the state school aid act 14
of 1979, MCL 388.1606, for the pupil to be counted in membership in 15
another school district. 16
(9) If a pupil is not successfully completing a credit 17
required for graduation under this section and section 1278a, or is 18
identified as being at risk of withdrawing from high school, then 19
the pupil's school district or public school academy shall notify 20
the pupil's parent or legal guardian or, if the pupil is at least 21
age 18 or is an emancipated minor, the pupil, of the availability 22
of tutoring or other supplemental educational support and 23
counseling services that may be available to the pupil under 24
existing state or federal programs, such as those programs or 25
services available under section 31a of the state school aid act of 26
1979, MCL 388.1631a, or under the no child left behind act of 2001, 27
Public Law 107-110, or every student succeeds act, Public Law 114-28
95. 29
22

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(10) To the extent required by the no child left behind act of 1
2001, Public Law 107-110, or every student succeeds act, Public Law 2
114-95, the board of a school district or public school academy 3
shall ensure that all components of the curricular requirements 4
under this section and section 1278a are taught by highly qualified 5
teachers. If a school district or public school academy 6
demonstrates to the department that the school district or public 7
school academy is unable to meet the requirements of this section 8
because the school district or public school academy is unable to 9
hire enough highly qualified teachers, the department shall work 10
with the school district or public school academy to develop a plan 11
to allow the school district or public school academy to hire 12
enough highly qualified teachers to meet the requirements of this 13
section. 14
(11) The board of a school district or board of directors of a 15
public school academy shall provide the opportunity for each pupil 16
to develop an educational development plan during grade 7, and 17
shall ensure that each pupil reviews his or her the pupil's 18
educational development plan during grade 8 and revises it as 19
appropriate before he or she the pupil begins high school. The 20
board of a school district or board of directors of a public school 21
academy shall also ensure that each pupil reviews and revises his 22
or her educational development plan as appropriate during each year 23
of high school. An educational development plan must be developed, 24
reviewed, and revised by the pupil under the supervision of the 25
pupil's school counselor or another designee qualified to act in a 26
counseling role under section 1233 or 1233a selected by the school 27
principal and must be based on high school readiness scores and a 28
career pathways program or similar career exploration program. An 29
23

CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
educational development plan must be designed to assist pupils to 1
identify career development goals as they relate to academic 2
requirements. During the process of developing and reviewing a 3
pupil's educational development plan, the pupil must be advised 4
that many of the curricular requirements of this section and 5
section 1278a may be fulfilled through career and technical 6
education. In addition, during the process of developing and 7
reviewing an educational development plan, the pupil must be 8
provided with all of the following: 9
(a) Information on various types of careers and current and 10
projected job openings in this state and those jobs' actual and 11
projected wages. 12
(b) An opportunity to explore careers specific to a pupil's 13
interests and identify career pathways and goals for achieving 14
success in those careers, including, but not limited to, the level 15
and type of educational preparation necessary to accomplish those 16
goals. 17
(c) An opportunity to develop a talent portfolio. A talent 18
portfolio must be developed and revised throughout the 19
implementation of a pupil's educational development plan. A talent 20
portfolio must include, but is not limited to, a record of the 21
pupil's experiences, proficiencies, certifications, or 22
accomplishments that demonstrate talents or marketable skills. The 23
department, in conjunction with the department of labor and 24
economic opportunity, shall develop and make available to the 25
public schools model information materials that districts or public 26
school academies may use to comply with this subdivision. 27
(12) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if a 28
school district or public school academy is unable to implement all 29
24

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of the curricular requirements of this section and section 1278a 1
for pupils entering grade 9 in 2007 or is unable to implement 2
another requirement of this section or section 1278a, the school 3
district or public school academy may apply to the department for 4
permission to phase in 1 or more of the requirements of this 5
section or section 1278a. To apply, the school district or public 6
school academy shall submit a proposed phase-in plan to the 7
department. The department shall approve a phase-in plan if the 8
department determines that the plan will result in the school 9
district or public school academy making satisfactory progress 10
toward full implementation of the requirements of this section and 11
section 1278a. If the department disapproves a proposed phase-in 12
plan, the department shall work with the school district or public 13
school academy to develop a satisfactory plan that may be approved. 14
This subsection does not apply to a high school that is designated 15
as a specialty school under section 1278a(6) and that is exempt 16
under that section from the English language arts requirement under 17
subsection (1)(a) and the social science credit requirement under 18
section 1278a(1)(a)(ii). 19
(13) This section and section 1278a do not prohibit a pupil 20
from satisfying or exceeding the credit requirements of the 21
Michigan merit standard under this section and section 1278a 22
through advanced studies such as accelerated course placement, 23
advanced placement, dual enrollment in a postsecondary institution, 24
or participation in the international baccalaureate program or an 25
early college/middle college program. 26
(14) Not later than April 1 of each year, the department shall 27
submit an annual report to the legislature that evaluates the 28
overall success of the curriculum required under this section and 29
25

CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
section 1278a, the rigor and relevance of the course work 1
coursework required by the curriculum, the ability of public 2
schools to implement the curriculum and the required course work, 3
coursework, and the impact of the curriculum on pupil success, and 4
that details any activities the department has undertaken to 5
implement this section and section 1278a or to assist public 6
schools in implementing the requirements of this section and 7
section 1278a. 8
(15) For a public innovative program operated under section 9
1278e, the department may waive any of the requirements of this 10
section as the department determines necessary to enable the 11
operation of the public innovative program. 12
Sec. 1278e. (1) A primary district may elect to operate a 13
public innovative program under this section. A primary district 14
that elects to operate a public innovative program may offer 15
instruction to public innovative program pupils in grades K to 12 16
through alternative pedagogical methods as described in subsection 17
(7), and shall grant a high school diploma to a public innovative 18
program pupil who completes the public innovative program and 19
demonstrates academic competencies in the form and manner 20
prescribed under this section. 21
(2) A primary district shall enroll a pupil in a public 22
innovative program in accordance with the provisions of this 23
section. A pupil must not be enrolled in a public innovative 24
program offered as an option to a continuing existing program or 25
curriculum without the consent of the pupil's parent or legal 26
guardian. 27
(3) To provide a public innovative program under this section, 28
a provider must do the following: 29
26

CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
(a) Draft an innovation plan to define the public innovative 1
program. The innovation plan must include the following: 2
(i) A description of the public innovative program and how the 3
public innovative program will ensure that pupils meet core 4
academic standards and, when applicable, the Michigan merit 5
curriculum. The description of the public innovative program 6
described in this section must also detail how the public 7
innovative program will better prepare pupils for postsecondary and 8
career options. 9
(ii) A detailed description of the public innovative program's 10
model, instructional approach, and intended outcomes, and the 11
population of pupils that the public innovative program seeks to 12
support. 13
(iii) A process for developing an individualized written 14
learning plan for each pupil. 15
(iv) A process for monitoring pupils' progress against the 16
written learning plan described in subparagraph (ii). 17
(v) A process for reporting the pupil's progress results to 18
the governing body of the public school in which the pupil is 19
enrolled and the pupil's parent or legal guardian at least 20
quarterly. 21
(vi) A description of how pupil safety and participation will 22
be monitored for pupils enrolled in the public innovative program. 23
(vii) A description of how the public innovative program will 24
support pupil acquisition of twenty-first-century skills such as 25
critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, 26
and creativity, and how the public innovative program will 27
determine pupil skill acquisition. 28
(b) Produce a statement of commitment from the board of a 29
27

CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
primary district outlining the board's vision for the public 1
innovative program and a board resolution approving the submitted 2
innovation plan. 3
(c) If applicable, obtain a statement of commitment from the 4
teachers' union that represents the public school or school 5
district in which the public innovative program will be implemented 6
outlining support for the public innovative program. 7
(d) Subject to subsection (9), apply to the department in a 8
form and manner determined by the department. An application to 9
operate a public innovative program under this section must be 10
provided to the intermediate school district in which the public 11
innovative program will be located, and must include at least all 12
of the following: 13
(i) A copy of the innovation plan described in subdivision (a). 14
(ii) The projected number of pupils to be enrolled in the 15
public innovative program. 16
(iii) The anticipated start date of the public innovative 17
program. 18
(e) Assign to each pupil an innovation coach and a teacher 19
content specialist. An innovation coach or teacher content 20
specialist must be employed by the primary district, or, if any 21
programming offered by an innovation partner is used, the 22
programming may be provided by an education management organization 23
that is partnered with the primary district or based upon an 24
innovation partner agreement. Before an individual is assigned to 25
be an innovation coach or teacher content specialist for a pupil, 26
the primary district must comply with sections 1230 to 1230g, as 27
applicable, with respect to that individual. An innovation coach 28
described in this subdivision must be treated in the same manner as 29
28

CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
other individuals working for the primary district. 1
(f) For a public school academy, obtain a statement of support 2
from the public school academy's authorizing body. 3
(4) For a pupil enrolled in a public innovative program, the 4
pupil's primary district shall use the foundation allowance or per-5
pupil funds calculated under section 20 of the state school aid act 6
of 1979, MCL 388.1620, to pay for the expenses associated with the 7
public innovative program. 8
(5) A public innovative program pupil has the same rights and 9
access to technology in the pupil's primary district's school 10
facilities as all other pupils enrolled in the pupil's primary 11
district. 12
(6) If a pupil successfully completes a course as part of a 13
public innovative program, as determined by the pupil's primary 14
district, the pupil's primary district shall grant appropriate 15
academic credit for completion of the course and shall count that 16
credit toward completion of graduation and subject area 17
requirements. 18
(7) A public innovative program may offer instruction to 19
pupils in grades K to 12 through a variety of pedagogical methods, 20
including, but not limited to, the following: 21
(a) Career and technical education. 22
(b) Work-based learning programs. 23
(c) Internships. 24
(d) Apprenticeships. 25
(e) Job shadows. 26
(f) Extended learning opportunities. 27
(g) Competency-based education. 28
(8) By not later than December 31 of each year, a primary 29
29

CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
district shall provide a report to the department in the form and 1
manner determined by the department. The report described in this 2
subsection must contain all of the following information: 3
(a) The number and identity of pupils enrolled in the public 4
innovative program by state identification number. 5
(b) The number of pupils who remain in the public innovative 6
program from year to year. 7
(c) Pupil outcomes for pupils enrolled in a public innovative 8
program, including academic progress, credential attainment, 9
graduation rates, and postsecondary enrollment or employment, as 10
applicable. 11
(d) A description of how applicable statutory and regulatory 12
exemptions were used in the implementation of the public innovative 13
program. 14
(e) To the extent practicable, a comparison of outcomes for 15
pupils enrolled in the public innovative program and similarly 16
situated pupils enrolled in traditional instructional programs 17
within the primary district. 18
(9) By not later than 60 days after receiving an application 19
under subsection (3)(d), the department shall review the 20
application and issue any statutory waivers that the department 21
determines are necessary for the public innovative program to 22
operate as described in the application. A determination by the 23
department that no waiver is necessary creates a rebuttable 24
presumption that a public innovative program is operating in 25
accordance with its innovation plan and is meeting the requirements 26
of this section. Such a determination is binding on any pupil 27
accounting audit decisions. Not later than 60 days after receiving 28
an application under subsection (3)(d), and subject to subsection 29
30

CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
(10), the department shall approve the public innovative program 1
designation if the innovation plan meets the requirements of 2
subsection (3)(a), the application has been approved by the primary 3
district through a board resolution under subsection (3)(b), a 4
statement of commitment from a teachers' union under subsection 5
(3)(c) has been received, if applicable, and a statement of support 6
from a public school academy's authorizing body under subsection 7
(3)(f) has been received, if applicable. 8
(10) An initial approval by the department under subsection 9
(9) for a primary district to operate a public innovative program 10
is valid for 4 years. Following expiration of the public innovative 11
program's approval under this subsection, the public innovative 12
program shall apply for renewed approval to continue operating. An 13
application for renewed approval must include all the criteria 14
required under subsection (3)(d). A renewed approval by the 15
department under this subsection to operate a public innovative 16
program is valid for 4 years. 17
(11) If the department determines that a public innovative 18
program is not meeting the requirements and goals of the innovation 19
plan submitted under subsection (3)(a), that the public innovative 20
program has violated state or federal law, or that the public 21
innovative program has shown declining academic progress for pupils 22
enrolled in the public innovative program, the department shall 23
enter into a corrective action plan with the primary district. If 24
the department determines that a primary district has failed to 25
adhere to a corrective action plan implemented under this 26
subsection, the department may revoke the primary district's 27
approval to operate a public innovative program under this section 28
following a public meeting by the board of the primary district 29
31

CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
explaining why the primary district has failed to implement the 1
corrective action plan. A representative from the department must 2
be present at a public meeting by a primary district board 3
described in this subsection. 4
(12) If a primary district's approval to operate a public 5
innovative program is revoked under subsection (11), that primary 6
district may not apply to operate a public innovative program for 3 7
school years following the approval's revocation. Any subsequent 8
applications by that primary district to operate a public 9
innovative program must adhere to the same requirements as the 10
initial application. 11
(13) By not later than December 31 of each year, the 12
department shall submit a report to the chairs of the senate and 13
house standing committees responsible for education legislation 14
that contains at least all of the following information: 15
(a) A list of the public innovative programs currently 16
operating and a description of each program. 17
(b) The intended outcomes of each public innovative program 18
currently operating. 19
(c) The target population of pupils and actual population of 20
pupils for each public innovative program currently operating. 21
(d) The actual outcomes of each public innovative program 22
currently operating. 23
(e) The level of participation in each public innovative 24
program currently operating. 25
(f) A comparison of the performance of public innovative 26
program pupils to similarly situated pupils not participating in 27
public innovative programs. 28
(g) A complete list of any statutory waivers issued under 29
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subsection (9), including an explanation of why those waivers were 1
necessary to enable the public innovative program to operate as 2
designed under the innovation plan submitted under subsection 3
(3)(a) and how those waivers are intended to be used, or if no 4
waivers were issued for a public innovative program, an explanation 5
of why no waivers were necessary. 6
(h) A list of any statutory obstacles to innovation plans 7
submitted under subsection (3)(a) for which the department did not 8
have the authority to issue a waiver. 9
(14) A primary district shall maintain a transcript or other 10
record of credits earned, competencies demonstrated, standards 11
completed, and progress toward graduation requirements in a form 12
and manner that allows a receiving public school to determine a 13
pupil's placement and progress toward graduation if the pupil 14
transfers into a public school from a public innovative program. 15
(15) As used in this section: 16
(a) "Education management organization" means a private 17
provider that operates 1 or more educational programs with 1 or 18
more districts. 19
(b) "Extended learning opportunity" means a learning option 20
that occurs outside of school, enables learners to gain knowledge 21
and skills outside of a traditional classroom setting, and is often 22
community-based with partner engagement. An extended learning 23
opportunity includes rigorous, authentic problem-solving and 24
inquiry that connects with learners' interests and passions. An 25
extended learning opportunity may be learner driven, and designed 26
by the learner and credentialed by the teacher. 27
(c) "Innovation coach" means an adult employed by a primary 28
district or innovation partner available to meet in person or 29
33

CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
through audio or video conferencing with assigned pupils, as 1
needed, to do all of the following: 2
(i) Ensure the conditions of the pupil's written learning plan 3
are being met. 4
(ii) Conduct social interventions. 5
(iii) Proctor final examinations. 6
(iv) Provide academic and social support to pupils enrolled in 7
the district's innovative program. 8
(d) "Innovation partner" means any entity working in a formal 9
partnership agreement with a primary district to provide extended 10
learning opportunities. 11
(e) "Primary district" means a school district, intermediate 12
school district, or public school academy that enrolls a public 13
innovative program pupil and reports the pupil for pupil membership 14
purposes. 15
(f) "Public innovative program" means a program with 16
approaches to learning that tailor instruction to meet the unique 17
needs, strengths, interests, and learning styles of each pupil, 18
moving away from a 1-size-fits-all approach. 19
(g) "Public innovative program pupil" means a pupil enrolled 20
in a public innovative program. 21
(h) "Teacher content specialist" means a teacher who holds a 22
valid Michigan teaching certificate, has a personnel identification 23
code, and, if applicable, is endorsed in the subject area and grade 24
of the course content or credits earned or competencies to be 25
demonstrated, and is responsible for providing instructional 26
design, determining instructional methods for each pupil, 27
diagnosing learning needs, assessing pupil learning, prescribing 28
intervention strategies, reporting outcomes, and evaluating the 29
34

CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
effects of instruction and support strategies. 1
(i) "Written learning plan" means a written plan developed in 2
conjunction with the pupil and the pupil's parent or legal 3
guardian, innovation coach, and school counselor or administrator 4
that includes all of the following: 5
(i) The written learning plan's start and end dates. 6
(ii) Courses to be taken or credits to be earned or grouping of 7
Michigan standards for each course or competencies to be 8
demonstrated. 9
(iii) The pupil's teacher content specialist for each course or 10
credits to be earned or competencies to be demonstrated or grouping 11
of Michigan standards for each course. 12
(iv) The name and contact information of the pupil's learning 13
coach. 14
Sec. 1284a. (1) Not later than July 1, 2008, an An 15
intermediate school district, in cooperation with its constituent 16
districts, shall adopt a common school calendar to apply to all of 17
its constituent districts and to its intermediate school district 18
programs. The intermediate school district shall post the common 19
school calendar on its website. The common school calendar shall 20
must meet all of the following: 21
(a) Shall Must be in compliance with sections 1284 and 1284b. 22
(b) Shall Must identify the dates for each school year when 23
school will not be in session for a winter holiday break and a 24
spring break. The common school calendar shall identify these dates 25
specifically for at least the next 5 school years, but may describe 26
these dates more generally for school years thereafter as long as 27
the dates may be readily determined. 28
(2) Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, except Except as 29
35

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otherwise provided in this section, the board of each constituent 1
district and the intermediate school board shall ensure that its 2
school calendar complies with the common school calendar adopted 3
under subsection (1). 4
(3) In addition to the requirements under subsection (1), a 5
common school calendar adopted under subsection (1) is encouraged 6
to identify common dates for professional development days. 7
(4) If a collective bargaining agreement that provides a 8
complete school calendar is in effect for employees of a school 9
district or intermediate school district as of the effective date 10
of this section, and if that school calendar is not in compliance 11
with the common school calendar adopted under subsection (1), then 12
subsection (2) does not apply to that school district or 13
intermediate school district until after the expiration of that 14
collective bargaining agreement. 15
(5) If as of the effective date of this section an 16
intermediate school district or school district is operating a 17
year-round school or program or is operating a school that is an 18
international baccalaureate academy that provides 1,160 hours of 19
pupil instruction per school year, then subsection (2) does not 20
apply to that school or program. If after the effective date of 21
this section an intermediate school district or school district 22
begins operating a year-round school or program, the intermediate 23
school district or school district may apply to the superintendent 24
of public instruction for a waiver from the requirements of 25
subsection (2) for that school or program. The application shall 26
must be in writing in the form and manner prescribed by the 27
department and shall must provide justification for the school or 28
program to operate on a calendar that differs from the common 29
36

CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
school calendar adopted under subsection (1). Upon application, if 1
the superintendent of public instruction determines that a school 2
or program is a bona fide year-round school or program established 3
for educational reasons and that there is sufficient justification 4
for the school or program to operate on a calendar that differs 5
from the common school calendar adopted under subsection (1), the 6
superintendent of public instruction shall grant the waiver. The 7
superintendent of public instruction shall establish standards for 8
determining a bona fide year-round school or program for the 9
purposes of this subsection. 10
(6) If an intermediate school district or school district is 11
operating or begins operating a school or program on a trimester 12
schedule, the intermediate school district or school district may 13
apply to the superintendent of public instruction for a waiver from 14
the requirements of subsection (2) for that school or program. The 15
application shall must be in writing in the form and manner 16
prescribed by the department and shall must provide justification 17
for the school or program to operate on a calendar that differs 18
from the common school calendar adopted under subsection (1). Upon 19
application, if the superintendent of public instruction determines 20
that a school or program is operating on a bona fide trimester 21
schedule established for educational reasons and that there is 22
sufficient justification for the school or program to operate on a 23
calendar that differs from the common school calendar adopted under 24
subsection (1), the superintendent of public instruction shall 25
grant the waiver. The superintendent of public instruction shall 26
establish standards for determining a bona fide trimester schedule 27
for the purposes of this subsection. 28
(7) This section does not apply to a public school that 29
37
Final Page
CRM H06311'26 (H-3)_HB5983_APH_1 nkxog5
operates all of grades 6 to 12 at a single site, that aligns its 1
high school curriculum with advanced placement courses as the 2
capstone of the curriculum, and that ends its second academic 3
semester concurrently with the end of the advanced placement 4
examination period. 5
(8) In addition to the other exceptions under this section, 6
the superintendent of public instruction may grant a waiver from a 7
requirement under this section for a school district that applies 8
for the waiver in writing in the form and manner prescribed by the 9
superintendent of public instruction and provides sufficient 10
justification for the waiver, as determined by the superintendent 11
of public instruction. 12
(9) For a public innovative program operated under section 13
1278e, the department may waive any of the requirements of this 14
section as the department determines necessary to enable the 15
operation of the public innovative program. 16
(10) (9) As used in this section: 17
(a) "Board" means the board of a school district or board of 18
directors of a public school academy. 19
(b) "Constituent district" means a constituent district of the 20
intermediate school district or a public school academy that is 21
located within the boundaries of the intermediate school district 22
and that receives services from the intermediate school district. 23
(c) "School district" means a school district or a public 24
school academy. 25
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect 26
unless House Bill No. 5984 of the 103rd Legislature is enacted into 27
law. 28