Education

This bill requires Michigan schools to provide cultural competency training for all educators and staff who interact with students. By June 1, 2027, the state education department must create or adopt resources covering topics such as diversity, cultural identity, implicit bias, and the historical contributions of various ethnic and racial groups. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, school boards must ensure that all relevant personnel complete this training, which can be integrated into existing professional development programs. Additionally, the bill allows the department to distribute instructional materials related to the history of these communities that align with state social studies standards.

This bill updates Michigan's school attendance laws to require kindergarten enrollment for children who turn five by September 1, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It allows parents to enroll children who turn five by December 1 in kindergarten, though schools can recommend against it while the parent keeps the final decision. The law also mandates that all public schools and academies offering first grade must provide kindergarten. Additionally, the bill clarifies that school districts are not required to operate their own schools directly and sets new age limits for compulsory attendance through age 18 for most students.

This bill creates a new Cultural History Advisory Board within the Michigan Department of Education to assist with developing curriculum and professional development focused on diverse cultural histories. The board will consist of appointed members representing various communities, including Asian-American and Pacific Islander, Latino and Hispanic, African-American, Indigenous, and Jewish-American groups, as well as educators, higher education representatives, and labor organizations. Once established, the board is tasked with providing recommendations on a K-12 curriculum toolkit and cultural competency training that addresses the histories of these specific populations. The legislation outlines the appointment process, term lengths, meeting requirements, and the board's responsibility to collaborate with community leaders and experts to guide curriculum development.

This bill requires Michigan public schools to include one unit of instruction each on the histories of African Americans, Indigenous People, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other specific ethnic groups starting in the 2027-2028 school year. These lessons must cover contributions to society, local history including discriminatory policies, and civil rights advancements, with the state superintendent providing guidelines developed with input from relevant cultural centers and experts. School districts have the flexibility to integrate these units into existing lesson plans or offer them as virtual courses, while administrators are tasked with monitoring compliance.

This bill directs the Michigan Department of Education to create age-appropriate model programs for teaching students how to prevent cyberbullying and harassment at every grade level. It defines cyberbullying as the use of electronic devices like cell phones and computers to send intimidating or threatening messages. While the bill strongly encourages school districts to include these models in their curricula, it does not mandate their adoption. The legislation aims to provide schools with standardized resources to address online harassment among students.