Michigan is the only state in the country that requires students to take Algebra II in order to graduate. But maybe not for long.
Legislators there are considering making Algebra II optional. This would undo Michigan’s move in 2006 to require it for graduation.
The Senate and House are considering different versions of the change, but both would allow students to meet the Algebra II requirement through career and tech ed courses.
The sentiment behind the backtracking is familiar: fear of an impending train wreck of dropouts. Michigan’s governor, Jennifer Granholm, who signed the 2006 law, is holding out for the tougher approach.