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Utica schools board approves Forensic Science 1 as new senior elective for 2026–27
Summary
The Board approved Forensic Science 1 as a semester elective for grades 11–12, aligned to the Michigan Science Standards and NGSS; the course emerged from district secondary-science planning and interest surveys and passed 6-0.
The Utica Community Schools Board on Jan. 12 approved the Forensic Science 1 course proposal for the 2026–27 school year after a second-reading presentation by Kim Charland, executive director of secondary curriculum and programs.
Charland and district curriculum leaders described the semester course for 11th- and 12th-grade students as aligned to the Framework for K–12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards adopted by Michigan. The course is intended to expand elective offerings that fulfill the third science credit required for graduation and reflects a multi-year plan to strengthen secondary science instruction.
The proposal was reviewed by the Teaching and Learning Department, the Curriculum Leadership Council and the Curriculum Subcommittee of the Board of Education before coming to the full board. A motion by Becker (support Rankin) approved the course on a 6–0 vote.
District materials note the Forensic Science elective emphasizes scientific inquiry, real-world applications and interdisciplinary connections; surveys of students and secondary science teachers informed the course development.
