Education: curriculum; merit curriculum requirement; modify. Amends secs. 1278a & 1278b of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278a & 380.1278b).

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Noah Arbit and 26 co-sponsors

Michigan allows local districts to satisfy MMC math, science, and social science credits by aligning with state standards rather than fixed course names.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

#education:curriculum #education:graduationrequirements #stateagencies(existing):education

Summary — HB 5735 (House Bill)

Title: Education: curriculum; merit curriculum requirement; modify.

Amends: 1976 PA 451, sections 1278a & 1278b (MCL 380.1278a & 380.1278b)

Sponsor: Rep. Carol Glanville

Key status/timeline:

Introduced in House: May 21, 2024 (HB 5735)
Passed House with immediate effect: December 13, 2024 (Roll Call #523, Yeas 56–Nays 0)
Referred to Committee on Government Operations: December 18, 2024
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary: January 21, 2025

House Fiscal Agency analysis revised: December 3, 2024

Purpose / Intent

HB 5735 revises Michigan’s high‑school Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) graduation requirements by removing statutory references to specific named courses (especially in mathematics, social science, and science) and instead relying on alignment with state subject‑area content expectations and giving local school boards more discretion in assigning certain credits.

Key provisions and changes

Removes (or reduces reliance on) statutorily named courses as mandatory credits in the MMC for subjects including mathematics, social science, and science.

For mathematics:

Continues to require at least 4 math credits.
Requires 3 of those credits to be aligned to the subject‑area content expectations in the state mathematics standards (approved by the State Board of Education).
The fourth/additional math credit is to be determined by the board of the school district or public school academy (PSA) rather than being limited to a list of named courses (e.g., trigonometry, statistics, precalculus, calculus, business math, etc.).
Retains the rule requiring students to complete at least one math course in their final year of high school.
Continues to allow partial or full fulfillment of algebra II via department‑approved CTE programs if content benchmarks are met.

Similar removal of specific course names for social science and science credits; the courses will still need to align to department subject‑area content expectations approved by the State Board.

Clarifies that courses currently named in law may still count toward MMC credits so long as they align to the applicable state standards.

Leaves in place other MMC requirements (e.g., online learning/experience, language other than English credits, the 1/2‑credit personal finance requirement for students entering 8th grade in 2023).

Who is affected

Public school students graduating under the MMC (current and future cohorts): more flexibility in how certain credits are satisfied.

Local school boards and public school academies: increased discretion to determine which course(s) satisfy the additional math credit and how to structure credit offerings.

School districts, ISDs, and PSAs: potential adjustments to course catalogs and scheduling to reflect local decisions, though no mandated new spending.

Practical effect

Shifts some specificity from statute to standards and local decision‑making: districts can continue offering traditional courses (algebra I/II, geometry, etc.) or substitute aligned alternatives (including CTE sequences or integrated courses) as long as they meet state content expectations. This aims to provide flexibility in course design while maintaining statewide standards alignment.

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