Below is a selection of video clips featuring State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mike Flanagan discussing Michigan's new high school graduation requirements called the Michigan Merit Curriculum, recently signed into law by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. Within the text we have inserted hyperlinks that will allow you to view short video clips.

In Video Clip 1, Superintendent Flanagan explains that Michigan is in the midst of a Perfect Storm. On one hand business is now competing in a global economy. While, nearly 30 percent of students are dropping out of school and most graduates are not taking the rigorous courses needed to successfully enter the workplace or college.

The new graduation standards will be starting with the Class of 2011- next year's eighth graders. In Video Clip 2, Superintendent Flanagan discusses the need to ensure eight graders understand the value and need for these new requirements. He discusses how "work ready" is the same as "college ready" and that in five years all Michigan students have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in Video Clip 3.

Over the past few years, the Michigan Department of Education has been a partner in a program called Michigan Scholars, managed by the Michigan Business Leaders for Education Excellence (MBLEE). This unique program outlined in Michigan Scholars Executive Summary Video Clip encourages students to take challenging courses throughout their four-year high school careers. The initiative places business people in eighth grade classrooms prior to students selecting high school courses to provide meaningful and relevant information on the high school courses/credits needed to be viable in the job market and successful in college.

In Video Clip 4, Superintendent Flanagan discusses the need for business leaders to participate in the Michigan Scholar program and in Video Clip 5 the Superintendent talks about the importance of the Michigan Scholars program and business and education partnerships.

For easy viewing, we have also listed these clips in numerical order below.

Video Clip 1 - Flanagan expresses concerns about what he sees as The Perfect Storm
Video Clip 2 - Flanagan speaks frankly to 8th Graders
Video Clip 3 - Flanagan says "work ready is college ready"
Video Clip 4 - Flanagan asks Corporate Michigan to step-up
Video Clip 5 - Flanagan on the importance of business & education partnerships
Michigan Scholars Executive Summary Video Clip