This bill amends the Revised School Code to update the requirements for the Michigan merit examination administered to high school students. It mandates that the examination be given to pupils in grade 11 and to those in grade 12 who did not take it in grade 11. The examination will consist of a college entrance test, an optional work skills test, and the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP). The bill also specifies that the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget will contract with providers to develop and score the examination, ensuring that the assessment instruments align with the state's content standards. Additionally, it introduces a waiver option for students who may choose not to take the work skills test, with provisions for informing parents and guardians about the assessment's purpose and benefits.

Further, the bill outlines various requirements for the administration and scoring of the Michigan merit examination, including the provision of individual reports for students, adherence to quality management standards, and the inclusion of specific components necessary for federal compliance. It also emphasizes the importance of timely feedback on student performance and mandates that the examination be designed to test grade-level content expectations. Notably, the bill includes provisions for students in early middle college programs and ensures that the social studies component of the examination includes questions related to genocide education, specifically the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide. The amendments are set to take effect on June 30, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-2): 380.1279
Substitute (S-3): 380.1279
House Introduced Bill: 380.1279
As Passed by the House: 380.1279
As Passed by the Senate: 380.1279