Two Muskegon County superintendents recently testified in support of two bills introduced by Sen. Jon Bumstead (R-Newaygo) that would introduce reforms for the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC).
Bumstead said the current curriculum doesn't allow students to focus on what they are interested in or at what they excel.
“In some cases, this limits creativity and does nothing to prepare students for the future," Bumstead said in a Nov. 5 press release.
Fruitport Public Schools Superintendent Bob Szymoniak and Oakridge Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Livezey testified in support of the reforms.
The curriculum has been in effect since 2006. Bumstead's two senate bills, Senate Bills 600 and 601, will eliminate certain requirements of the curriculum, such as algebra II, and allows for flexibility for students who want to focus on career and technical education or training for trades.
“For years, a four-year degree was pushed as the only avenue to success, and that is simply not true,” Bumstead said. “There are countless available careers in the trades, and many companies are desperate for qualified workers. Allowing for more flexibility in a student’s graduation requirements would provide more opportunities for students to enroll in career and technical education or skilled trades training.”
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