Last week, political leaders in Michigan, a state that boasts some of the toughest graduation requirements in the nation, are seeking an addendum to its high school provisions: allow students to earn their required algebra II credits through a comparable CTE class instead of a traditional math course.
CTE advocates would say the proposal is testament to the rigor of quality CTE programs that exist across the nation and underscores the role CTE can play in the movement for high-rigor academic standards.
The notion that CTE programs can be an equal among high-rigor reform tools may be gaining traction among education and lawmakers. Michigan House and Senate each passed similar bills that would allow select CTE programs such as electronics, welding and computer-assisted design to replace traditional algebra II classes if academic material was woven in the classes, according to The Grand Rapids Press.
**A previous blog stated that Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm was opposed to the CTE substitute proposal, however she is in support of the legislation. Granholm is opposed to a different legislative initiative that would allow students to bypass the Algebra II requirement altogether.
Tags: Public Policy, Standards