LANSING – The Michigan Senate on Thursday passed legislation allowing Michigan diplomas to be the nation’s first to potentially include a science, technology, engineering and mathematics certification.
The bills (SB 169 and SB 170 ), passed unanimously, would allow students to receive a STEM certification on their high school diploma and in their transcripts for future technical training, community college and college application review.
“Michigan’s economy is growing and creating jobs, yet many of these positions remain unfilled,” Sen. John Proos (R-St. Joseph) said in a statement. “This initiative is the next step in ensuring Michigan students are prepared for success and to meet our growing skilled-workforce needs. We worked together to enact legislation last year that encourages schools to establish programs that award credit toward a college degree or an industry-recognized professional certificate.”
If the bills are enacted, Michigan would be the first state in the nation to allow such a STEM certification opportunity.
“We recognize that education is unique to each child, and we have worked hard to ensure our schools give every student a chance for a successful career. STEM fields of education are rigorous areas of study that are critical to our national defense, our strong automotive industry, our economy and in preparing future generations for success,” Sen. Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair), chair of the Senate Education Committee, added in that statement. “Allowing students to earn this STEM certification and place it on their diplomas and transcripts will help them improve their college resume, give them a competitive advantage in landing a well-paying job and ensure Michigan closes the skills gap facing employers.”
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