Board approves change to graduation rules to count college-credit-only dual-enrollment courses

The Grosse Ile Township Schools Board of Education voted to modify high school graduation requirements to allow dual-enrollment courses taken for college credit only to be counted in place of district electives, as long as the Michigan Merit 18-credit minimum remains satisfied.

Val, who presented the recommendation, said the change will give students greater flexibility after the high school moved from a seven-period day to a six-period day. Under the prior language, a student taking two dual-enrollment courses for college credit only could be prevented from meeting district elective requirements and therefore not be eligible for a Grosse Yale High School diploma. The revised language preserves the state’s 18-course Michigan Merit requirement while permitting remaining credits to be satisfied by dual-enrollment or district electives.

Board members asked about transferability of credits; presenters said staff have prepared a cross-walk of likely transferability for many Michigan colleges and that most institutions accept the courses, though the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor has historically presented the most challenges. "We can upload that cross-walk on the website," the presenter said, noting Andrea Deshaun compiled the transferability review.

The board approved the change by voice vote and did not record a roll-call tally in the public minutes. Staff said the policy change is intended to reduce barriers for students pursuing concurrent college coursework and to clarify how such courses will be counted toward district graduation requirements.