LANSING, MI— State Representative Parker Fairbairn has introduced a bill that would allow students to substitute career technical education credits for foreign language graduation requirements.
Under current law, one of the two credits required in “language other than English” can be satisfied by completing a language credit and one credit of either CTE, visual arts, or performing arts. Fairbairn’s legislation allows CTE credits to be substituted for both language credits.
The bill does not disallow the use of foreign language credits to satisfy graduation requirements or require schools to provide additional CTE courses.
Fairbairn says his plan aims to provide flexibility and foster career-ready skills in high school students that better align with 21st-century workforce demands.
