MIOSHA SAFETY TRAINING MEETS

HEALTH GRADUATION REQUIREMENT

House Bill 4317 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Roger Hauck

Committee:  Workforce and Talent Development

Complete to 3-20-17

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4317 would amend the Revised School Code (MCL 380.1278a) to allow a student to fulfill the health education graduation requirement by completing at least 30 hours of qualifying training provided by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).

Currently, as part of the Michigan merit graduation requirements (described in greater detail in BACKGROUND, below), a student must complete at least one credit in subject matter that includes both health and physical education, or at least ½ credit in health and ½ credit awarded by the school district or public school academy (PSA) for approved participation in extracurricular athletics or other extracurricular activities involving physical activity. 

The bill would allow a student enrolled in a Michigan Department of Education (MDE)-approved[1] career and technical education (CTE) program to fulfill the health education requirement (accounting for half of the health and physical education graduation requirement, or ½ credit) by completing at least 30 hours of educational training provided by MIOSHA relating to occupational health and safety standards applicable to general industry or construction.

As noted below, a student may already utilize an MDE-approved CTE program to fulfill the Algebra II component of the math graduation requirements, the third science credit, and, for students graduating in 2016-2021, up to one credit of the world languages requirement.  

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment. 

BACKGROUND:

                       

Michigan high school students must complete the Merit Standard Curriculum, or an alternative Personal Curriculum (developed by faculty with the student, parents, and the school superintendent) in order to earn a high school diploma.  The Merit Curriculum entails the following course of study:

·         4 credits in English language arts.

·         3 credits in science, including at least biology and either chemistry, physics, anatomy, or agricultural science, or a program providing the same content (with a fourth science credit strongly encouraged). A student may fulfill the requirement for the third science credit by completing an MDE-approved computer science program or curriculum or formal career and technical education program or curriculum.

·         4 credits in mathematics, including at least algebra I, geometry, and algebra II, (or an integrated 3-credit sequence of this content), plus an additional math credit in trigonometry, statistics, pre-calculus, calculus, applied math, accounting, business math, a retake of algebra II, or a course in financial literacy.  A student may also fulfill the algebra II requirements by completing a MDE-approved formal career and technical education program or curriculum that has appropriately embedded mathematics content as described in the law.  In addition, a student can complete algebra II over a 2-year period; and each student must take a math course during the final year of high school enrollment.

·         3 credits in social science, including at least 1 credit in United States history and geography, 1 credit in world history and geography, one-half credit in economics, and a civics course.

·         1 credit in health and physical education.

·         1 credit in visual, performing, or applied arts.

·         2 credits that are grade-appropriate in a language other than English between kindergarten and 12th grade, beginning with the class of 2016. For students graduating high school in 2016 to 2021 only, one credit of that requirement may be met in whole or in part by completing an MDE-approved formal career and technical education program or curriculum, or by completing visual or performing arts instruction that is in addition to the one credit of visual arts, performing arts, or applied arts that is also required to receive a high school diploma.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact for the State or for school districts, public school academies (PSAs), or intermediate school districts (ISDs).

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                               Fiscal Analysts:   Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Samuel Christensen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.

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