ESCANABA - Striving to meet ever-changing global demands, Michigan has become innovative in its approach to ensure students are ready to meet the challenge.

Local schools are no exception.

The Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2006 set a defined common set of required credits for graduation. Recognizing the importance of understanding and applying the concepts of course electives became the rallying point. Students earn course credits through application rather than seat time or time spent in the classroom.

Escanaba schools are working hard to provide services and the same curriculum for all its students, whether they are college bound or heading for training in a vocational field, according to Escanaba High School Principal Doug Leisenring.

"Our staff is working hard to provide support classes, after school programs and online (Web-based) classes for students who may be finding it difficult to meet the new curriculum," he said.

Leisenring also said schools have flexibility in meeting the new format while also meeting the needs of all the students to ensure they succeed.

Under the new curriculum, students are required to earn four credits in mathematics - two of the four credits must be in algebra, with one credit being in geometry. The fourth required credit can be an elective course selected by the student.

Students are required to take four credits in English, and three credits in science. For the science requirement, one of the three courses taken must be biology and one must be either chemistry or physics. Students are also required to take a minimum of a half-credit in civics and a half-credit in economics. One full credit is required in U.S. history and geography and one full credit in world history or geography.

Another course requirement under the new MMC, is a foreign language credit or an equivalent learning experience for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Students in the Gladstone School District are also gaining momentum in meeting the challenges of the new curriculum, according to Brady Downey, principal of Gladstone Area High School.

"The bar for education has been raised, and we are hopeful all our students will either reach or exceed the bar, and to help them achieve success we are looking into offering remedial schooling beginning at the eighth-grade level," said Downey.

He also said summer school was being considered to help students currently in eighth grade meet the high school algebra credit and content.

"We are also offering compass learning, which is an online course which assists students in earning their credits," he said.

Downey also said Gladstone was working on installing "safety nets" to insure student's goals and dreams are met and that they graduate and receive their diplomas. He said the school was able to help students achieve graduation and their diplomas through creative measures such as a personal curriculum (individualized educational plan) to meet the necessary requirements under the MMC.

"School districts and educators are all working together to supply help and support to students to allow them to meet expectations and remain focused on succeeding," said Downey.

Manistique, being aware of the impending changes in the Michigan Merit Curriculum, started implementing changes to its curriculum approximately four years ago, according to John Chandler, superintendent of Manistique schools.

"There have been no real changes made and everything is progressing well," said Chandler.

Butch Yurk, principal of Manistique High School, said Manistique schools placed postings in all the classrooms explaining to the students the reason for the changes in curriculum. It allows them to understand what was expected of them as students.

"We are also working on converting to Power School," said Yurk.

Under the Power School concept, students and parents are provided with an electronic means of access to the school. Under the Power School concept, students have an increased ability to remain connected, while parents have an additional means of monitoring their child's progress in school. It also provides a means of identifying any potential problems in any of the core classes required under the MMC. Soon to be implemented in Manistique are credit recovery programs, according to Yurk, which will be Web-based.

"Recovery credit programs will be based upon compass learning through the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District - and will help provide remediation in areas where it may be necessary," he said.