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HB 6108

Education: graduation requirements; foreign language requirement; allow to be satisfied with career and technical education credits. Amends sec. 1278a of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278a).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Timmy Beson and 9 co-sponsors

Allows math and other credits to be satisfied in part by department-approved CTE programs, expanding flexible paths to meet Michigan’s graduation requirements.

bill electronically reproduced 06/18/2026
#education:careerandtechnical #education:graduationrequirements
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Bill Summary · HB 6108

Overview

HB 6108 (2025-2026, Michigan) seeks to amend the Michigan Merit Standard requirements for high school graduation by allowing a portion of the mathematics and language coursework to be satisfied through career and technical education (CTE) credits. It also clarifies optional alignment with department guidelines and expands or clarifies related credit and assessment practices. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Parker Fairbairn and several co-sponsors, and was referred to the Education and Workforce committee.

Main purpose and intent

  • Modernize graduation requirements to provide more flexibility by permitting CTE programs to satisfy certain high school credit benchmarks.
  • Ensure students can complete the Michigan merit curriculum via a mix of traditional academic courses and department-approved CTE coursework, while maintaining core content standards.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1278a(1)(a)(i) — Mathematics credits:

    • Requires at least 4 math credits aligned with department guidelines.
    • Must include algebra I, geometry, and algebra II (or an integrated sequence totaling equivalent credits). Allows an additional math credit (e.g., trigonometry, statistics, precalculus, calculus, etc.).
    • Importantly, algebra II may be fulfilled in part or fully through a department-approved formal CTE program or curriculum that covers the same benchmarks as algebra II, as determined by the department. The department will publish implementation guidelines.
    • At least 1 math course must be completed in the pupil’s final year of high school enrollment.
    • No required fixed sequence beyond the stated content.

  • Section 1278a(1)(a)(ii) — Social studies credits:

    • Requires at least 3 social science credits aligned with department guidelines.
    • Includes: 1 credit U.S. history and geography, 1 credit world history and geography, 0.5 credit economics, and a civics course (section 1166(2)).
    • For students entering grade 8 before 2023, the 0.5 economics credit may be satisfied by a 0.5 credit personal economics course with financial literacy, if it covers the department’s economics standards.
    • The 0.5 economics credit cannot be fulfilled by the 0.5 credit personal finance course (distinct requirements).

  • Section 1278a(1)(a)(iii) — Health/PE and physical activity:

    • Requires at least 1 credit in health and physical education or at least 0.5 credit in health plus 0.5 credit for participation in athletics or other physical activities outside class.

  • Section 1278a(1)(a)(iv) — Arts:

    • Requires at least 1 credit in visual arts, performing arts, or applied arts, aligned with department guidelines.
    • Districts are strongly encouraged to offer arts courses.

  • Section 1278a(1)(a)(v) — Additional Michigan Merit Standard credits:

    • Requires credits specified in 1278b(1) (the standard menu of required credits).

  • Section 1278a(1)(b) — Online course/experience requirement:

    • Requires meeting the online learning requirement by either:
    • Completing at least one online course/learning experience, or
    • Integrating online experiences across the high school curriculum so that each course includes an online component (as determined by district/academy).

  • Section 1278a(2) — Language other than English (LOE):

    • Beginning with pupils entering grade 8 in 2023, students must complete at least 2 LOE credits or equivalent coursework/experiences.
    • A department-approved formal CTE program or visual/performing arts coursework may partially or fully fulfill LOE credit.
    • Districts are encouraged to ensure at least 1 LOE credit is completed in grades K–6.
    • American Sign Language counts as a language other than English.
    • LOE can be met via online coursework.

  • Section 1278a(3) — Personal finance credit:

    • Beginning with pupils entering grade 8 in 2023, students must complete a 0.5 credit personal finance course aligned to department guidelines.
    • The 0.5 credit personal finance course must fulfill part of a math credit, a visual/arts credit, or an LOE credit (as determined by the district).
    • The 0.5 credit may be satisfied through a department-approved CTE program that aligns with the prescribed standards.

  • Section 1278a(4) — Local requirements:

    • Graduation requirements under this section and 1278b are in addition to local district requirements.
    • Local boards may require state-mudent accountability tests (e.g., Michigan merit exam) or MIAccess assessments, if appropriate.

  • Section 1278a(5) — Credit determination:

    • A credit is earned by meeting department guidelines or district-approved guidelines.
    • Assessment-based determination can satisfy credits, using department assessments or district assessments.
    • Students may earn credits by achieving qualifying scores on department-selected assessments or district-selected assessments.

  • Section 1278a(6)–(7) — Specialty schools exemption:

    • Special designation for up to 15 high schools as specialty schools, exempting them from certain English, social science, and science credit requirements if criteria are met (e.g., strong reading/writing integration, innovative curriculum, and adequate performance metrics).
    • Conditions include disclosure to families, higher mean scores in math/science, graduation rate thresholds, postsecondary enrollment, and guaranteed curriculum offerings to meet math/science requirements.

Who is affected

  • High school students seeking a Michigan high school diploma.
  • School districts and public school academies (charter schools) administering graduation requirements.
  • Districts implementing or expanding CTE programs as substitutes or supplements for specific credits.
  • Departments of education (state) and local boards responsible for curriculum guidelines, assessments, and compliance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective dates are not explicitly stated in the text provided, but the changes apply to students entering certain grades beginning in 2023 (LOE and personal finance provisions), indicating a phased or retroactive implementation for cohorts affected by those grade-year thresholds.
  • Department of Education will publish guidelines on CTE substitutions for algebra II and related credit implementations.
  • Online learning and assessment requirements can be met either through online courses or through integrated online components across courses.
  • Specialty school designation process and criteria are defined, with a cap of up to 15 designated schools.

Potential impacts

  • Increased flexibility for students to pursue CTE pathways while meeting graduation standards.
  • Encourages integration of online learning and digital literacy across the curriculum.
  • Potentially expands access to CTE programs as alternatives for math or LOE credits.
  • Aligns language education and financial literacy with broader graduation requirements, possibly affecting scheduling and course offerings.
  • Creates a framework for specialty schools to operate with certain exemptions, which could influence district planning and student pathways.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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