LANSING – Michigan High school students would have to pass a stricter curriculum that includes specific credits in English, science, mathematics, social studies and foreign languages under legislation the Senate approved unanimously Thursday.

A controversial amendment that would allow students to take “an alternative approach” to Algebra II in consultation with a student’s parents, math teacher and guidance counselor was added to SB 1124 by exactly the number of votes needed. The addition of the amendment temporarily derailed action on the measure as officials tried to sort out how the amendment got adopted.

While that amendment was criticized by some as “dumbing down” SB 1124, no other amendments that critics said could lessen the requirements for graduation and proponents said would add flexibility to the requirements were adopted.

Included among those amendments not adopted was one that would allow a student at age 16, along with his or her parents, to request an individualized curriculum.

If the amendment is not adopted, said its sponsor, Sen. Michael Switalski (D-Roseville), then the state could see the number of high school dropouts increase.

“A 16-year-old doesn’t have a sharp idea of what the future is like. They might want to rebel. They might not listen,” he said.

But Sen. Wayne Kuipers (R-Holland) said the amendment would essentially gut the curriculum proposal. “Just because they don’t want to apply themselves,” he said, students will opt out of tougher classes before they even see what is involved.

Another amendment Switalski sponsored that failed would have ended the foreign language requirement. The requirement would make it difficult for students to study any of a whole range of other subjects, he said.

But Sen. Irma Clark-Coleman (D-Detroit) said businesses are crying out for people who can speak foreign languages.

In passing the bill, the Senate met the deadline set by Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema (R-Wyoming). Both houses have now passed a curriculum bill (the House passed HB 5606 earlier this month).

Surprisingly, given the significance of the subject, no Senate member took the floor to talk about the step they were taking. Throughout the hearing and action phase of the bill many comments were made about the importance of mandating a tougher curriculum to the state’s economic future; but the point apparently made earlier, no one felt it necessary to repeat it as the chamber was ready to vote.

Under the bill, students would have to have four credits of English, four credits of mathematics (including Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II or its functional equivalent, and an additional class), three credits of science (in biology, chemistry or physics and an additional class), three credits of social studies, two credits of foreign languages (which can include American Sign Language and which can be earned before high school), one credit of arts, an online course and health and physical education.

The biggest difference from the House version is the foreign language requirement. The Senate and House bills allow science and math credits taken before high school, however the Senate version allows geometry to count whereas the House version does not include that course.

Currently, the state requires only a civics class in its high school curriculum.

On Wednesday, Sen. Nancy Cassis (R-Novi) failed in her bid for an amendment that would allow students to complete the requirements of Algebra II in an alternative fashion.

Thursday she brought forward another proposal that would allow a pupil to use an alternative approach to completing the “benchmarks for Algebra II” that would require a student’s math teacher and guidance counselor to consult with the student and the student’s parents to develop the alternative.

The amendment would help many students, especially those with “fragile self esteem and low self-confidence,” she said.

Kuipers said lawmakers shouldn’t “create an opt out before it is determined if a student can get” Algebra II.

Sen. Alan Cropsey (R-DeWitt) said the amendment dumbs down the bill. “Our children are in a battle for the future. They’re in a battle with children across the country and in a battle with children around the world,” he said. “If you are going to be on top of the world, you have to be on top of mathematics and science.” Given the level of education students in China and India are attaining, Cropsey said, he wasn’t sure the standards being enacted were strict enough.

Cassis, a former school psychologist, blasted Mr. Cropsey for “stepping outside of his realm of expertise” to say the amendment dumbs down the bill. She said it would meet both the students’ and subject’s needs.

Initially the amendment failed on a non-roll call 18-15 vote. Then the presiding officer, Sen. Alan Sanborn (R-Richmond) said a record roll call vote was called for, and the amendment succeeded 19-17.

Kuipers was clearly furious the amendment passed. More than that, there was confusion among Mr. Sikkema’s staff as to which senator actually called for the roll call. Sikkema called Cassis into a quick-closed door conference with Senate Majority Floor Leader Sen. Bev Hammerstrom (R-Temperance) and all emerged grim-faced.

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