Michigan K-12 Program Standards of Quality.

Overview & Synopsis

This resource document outlines the expectations and standards for kindergarten through 12th-grade educational programs in the state of Michigan. Developed over several years in cooperation with representatives from 33 state organizations and local school district staffs, the standards suggest expectations for educational programs that may be used as a self-assessing tool for school improvement. The specific standards used in this document do not include items required by state or federal law, rule, or regulations. The components of the standards of quality are presented in six sections: (1) school improvement process; (2) district-level programs; (3) building-level programs; (4) subject time-allocation suggestions; (5) classroom level and subject specific areas (communication skills, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, music, visual arts, health, and foreign language); and (6) special need areas (compensatory education, migrant/bilingual education, gifted/talented education, special education, vocational education, and juvenile rehabilitation programs). Each section contains specific steps to follow to achieve the desired standards. Included with the document is an extensive appendix in 17 sections containing future discussion and research regarding the program components. The state board of education anticipates that these standards will continue to be reviewed and upgraded in the future. (MD)