HB 4159 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Education: curriculum; core academic curriculum requirements; modify. Amends sec. 1278 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278).

HB 4159 requires Michigan public school districts to provide a core academic curriculum aligned with state-developed standards for all students. It specifically mandates that history standards for grades 8-12 include learning objectives on genocide (including the Holocaust and Armenian Genocide), and that reading/writing standards for K-6 must use evidence-based "science of reading" methods focusing on phonics, decoding, and structured literacy. The bill also prohibits curriculum content that includes non-essential values or beliefs, and requires assessments to measure academic skills - not student attitudes. School districts must fully adopt these K-6 standards by the 2026-2027 school year.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Feb 26, 2025 Last action Apr 22, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed by the House → Substitute (H-1) · 1 edit

MINOR

This bill revision primarily involves formatting and layout adjustments rather than substantive policy changes. The text content remains largely the same, with minor differences in spacing, indentation, and document header information.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting adjustments including spacing changes in the bill title and section header, and updated document tracking numbers in the footer.

House Introduced Bill → As Passed by the House · 10 edits · Apr 17, 2025

MAJOR

This bill amends Michigan's revised school code to strengthen requirements for core academic curricula, particularly in reading instruction and history education. The changes mandate that reading and writing curricula for grades K-6 must follow evidence-based, science-of-reading approaches, and require history standards to include specific genocide education. The bill also adds provisions for special education accommodations and clarifies definitions for key terms.

Scope change

The bill expands requirements to all public school districts and adds provisions applicable to nonpublic schools as a resource. It also introduces new requirements for special education students and clarifies course offerings for nonpublic school residents.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory requirement that reading and writing curricula for grades K-6 must use evidence-based, science-of-reading approaches including phonics and structured literacy methods.

Added requirement that history curriculum standards for grades 8-12 must include learning objectives about genocide, specifically mentioning the Holocaust and Armenian Genocide.

Added new provision requiring special assistance for students who do not meet reading proficiency standards by grade 4 or 7, with a 12-month timeline to bring skills to grade level.

Added requirement for school boards to establish core academic curricula at elementary, middle, and secondary levels based on district educational mission and goals.

Added provision allowing school districts to supplement core curriculum with additional classes and programs.

Added requirement that all required subjects must be provided to all pupils through school districts, consortia, or partnerships with intermediate school districts.

Added provision requiring state board to make model curriculum standards available to nonpublic schools as a resource for developing their own curricula.

Added provision for special education students to have academic objectives tailored to their individual needs rather than expecting mastery of all state standards.

Added provision requiring nonessential elective courses to continue being offered to nonpublic school students on a shared time basis.

DEFINITION

Added definitions for 'Armenian Genocide', 'genocide', 'Holocaust', and 'science of reading' to clarify terminology used throughout the bill.

Floor votes · House Apr 17, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 22, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #55 Yeas 65 Nays 40 Excused 0 Not Voting 5

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

substitute (H-1) adopted

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Committee

referred to second reading

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation with substitute (H-1)

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Education and Workforce

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Introduced

introduced by Representative Rep. Rylee Linting

lower

1 primary · 10 co-sponsors