Education

in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 887: Education: discipline; school disciplinary proceedings; modify. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1310g. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0886'26, SB 0888'26

This bill requires Michigan school districts to appoint independent decision makers to conduct disciplinary hearings for students facing suspension of more than 10 days, expulsion, or alternative placement for more than 10 days. These independent decision makers must remain neutral by not investigating the incident, providing testimony, or presenting evidence, and they must apply a preponderance of the evidence standard when making decisions. The bill also grants students the right to be represented by an attorney or advocate at these hearings and mandates that schools provide written reports explaining the findings and appeal rights to students and their parents. Additionally, the legislation ensures that students with Individualized Education Programs are invited to meet with their IEP team before any disciplinary decision is implemented.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student rights by requiring independent decision makers for disciplinary proceedings, protecting due process and educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 888: Education: discipline; school disciplinary proceedings; modify. Amends sec. 1310d of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1310d). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0886'26, SB 0887'26

This bill modifies Michigan's school disciplinary procedures to require school officials to consider specific student factors before suspending or expelling a pupil, including age, disciplinary history, disability status, trauma experiences, and housing stability. For suspensions lasting more than 10 days or expulsions, the bill creates a rebuttable presumption that such actions are unjustified unless the school board demonstrates it evaluated all required factors and held a hearing within 10 school days. The legislation mandates that schools provide detailed written notice to students and parents before hearings, including evidence summaries, and ensures continued access to educational services during removal periods. These changes apply to suspensions and expulsions under various school code sections but exclude cases involving firearm possession in weapon-free zones.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student protections by requiring schools to consider factors like disability and trauma before discipline, enhancing equitable educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 860: Appropriations: school aid omnibus; fiscal year 2026-2027 appropriations for K-12 school aid, higher education, and community colleges; provide for. Amends secs. 11, 201 & 236 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0903'26

This bill appropriates state funding for K-12 public schools, community colleges, and higher education institutions for the 2025-2027 fiscal years. It allocates specific dollar amounts from various state funds to support public school operations, including general funds, transportation, meals, and student support reserves, while also distributing $493 million to community colleges for operational expenses. The legislation establishes spending priorities that require general fund allocations to be used before state school aid funds, and directs any unspent general fund money to a stabilization fund at the end of each fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funding for K-12 schools, community colleges, and higher education, directly advancing budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates state funding for K-12 schools, community colleges, and higher education, explicitly increasing financial resources for educational institutions and programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget K-12 Education School Choice School Funding

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 4, 2026

HR 254: A resolution to urge the public institutions of higher education in Michigan to establish a consistent policy for awarding postsecondary-level academic credit for International Baccalaureate coursework.

This bill urges Michigan's public universities and community colleges to create a consistent statewide policy for awarding college credit to students who complete International Baccalaureate coursework. It recommends that institutions grant credit for IB exam scores of four or higher, which can count toward elective degree requirements, while allowing schools to set higher standards for major-specific courses. The resolution aims to reduce uncertainty for students, improve college affordability, and help retain Michigan's IB graduates by providing clear, publicly available credit policies. Copies of the bill will be sent to state university leaders and higher education associations for their consideration.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes college credit for IB coursework, expanding educational access and reducing barriers for students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 886: Education: discipline; school disciplinary proceedings; modify. Amends secs. 1310, 1310a, 1311 & 1311a of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1310 et seq.) & adds sec. 1310f. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0887'26, SB 0888'26

This bill modifies Michigan's school discipline laws to strengthen consequences for physical assaults between students in grades 6 and above. It requires school boards to suspend or expel students who commit physical violence at school for up to 180 days, while also making it the responsibility of expelled students and their families to find alternative education programs. The legislation adds new reporting requirements that mandate school districts to annually submit detailed data on expulsions, including student demographics such as race, ethnicity, disability status, and economic disadvantage. Additionally, the bill requires schools to post crime statistics on their websites and collect weekly incident data to help identify safety issues and allocate resources appropriately. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for handling student violence and improve transparency in school safety reporting.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens school discipline policies to protect students from physical violence, enhancing school safety and educational environment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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signed · Michigan · House Jul 29, 2026

HB 5697: Education: teachers and administrators; completion of certain training for K-5 teachers; require. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1531k.

This bill requires K-5 teachers and literacy support staff in Michigan to complete specific professional training focused on reading and literacy instruction by the 2029-2030 school year. The legislation designates a single state-approved provider to deliver the training, which must cover evidence-based reading methods, assessment strategies, and a multitiered system of supports for addressing learning difficulties. School districts must report annual compliance data to the state department, which will publish public reports on implementation progress and recommend funding adjustments as needed. The training includes mandatory components on phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and data-driven decision-making, with phased implementation beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates professional training for K-5 teachers on evidence-based reading methods, directly supporting teacher development and improving student literacy outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 840: Individual income tax: credit; credit for certain qualified dependents; provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding sec. 281.

This bill creates a new tax credit for Michigan residents with qualified dependents starting in the 2026 tax year. The credit equals 50% of the state school aid target foundation allowance for each dependent who is between 5 and 18 years old, not enrolled in public school, and has demonstrated proficiency in reading and math. If the credit amount is larger than the taxpayer's tax liability, the excess will be refunded to the taxpayer. The Department of Treasury may require proof that a dependent meets the eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit for families with qualified dependents, providing tax relief and refundable credits to lower tax burden for eligible Michigan residents.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates tax credit for parents of home-schooled students, indirectly supporting educational access and funding for non-public education options.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits School Choice

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 5631: Appropriations: supplemental; supplemental appropriations in the school aid act for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Amends secs. 11 & 17b of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 & 388.1617b).

HB 5631 is a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates specific funding amounts for Michigan public schools during fiscal years 2025-2026. It authorizes $17.9 billion from the state school aid fund and other designated funds (like the school transportation fund, enrollment stabilization fund, and educator fellowship fund) for the 2025-2026 school year, with slightly adjusted amounts for 2026-2027. The bill establishes a monthly payment schedule (October through August) for distributing these funds to school districts and intermediate districts, requiring the state treasurer to make payments via electronic transfer or warrant on specified dates. It also includes provisions for adjusting payments due to errors or changes in law and specifies that unspent general fund allocations will transfer to the school aid stabilization fund. This bill directly affects all public school districts and intermediate districts in Michigan by determining their state education funding allocation and payment timeline.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $17.9B for school funding via supplemental appropriations, directly advancing public education budget priorities without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $17.9B supplemental funding for Michigan public schools, directly advancing school aid and operations per the School Aid Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget School Funding School Transportation Teachers

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 5629: Appropriations: school aid omnibus; fiscal year 2027-2028 appropriations for K-12 school aid, higher education, and community colleges; provide for. Amends secs. 11, 201 & 236 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 et seq.).

HB 5629 is a proposed budget bill that allocates funding for Michigan's K-12 schools, community colleges, and higher education for fiscal years 2027-2028. It specifies detailed appropriations from multiple state funds, including $18.37 billion for K-12 schools (from the state school aid fund and general fund) and $493 million for community colleges across 12 institutions. The bill outlines specific allocations for operational costs at each community college, with no performance-based funding included in the proposed amounts. This omnibus appropriations bill is currently in committee review (introduced February 2026) and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $18.37B for K-12 schools and $493M for community colleges from state funds, directly advancing public education funding under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $18.37B for K-12 schools and $493M for community colleges in FY2027-28, explicitly funding education infrastructure and operations without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 785: Education: meals; free school lunch and breakfast program; modify. Amends sec. 30d of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1630d). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0784'26

SB 785 amends Michigan's school aid law to allocate $200 million from the state school aid fund and $1.6 million from the general fund for the 2025-2026 school year to support free breakfast and lunch programs. It requires participating public and nonpublic schools (serving pre-K through 12th grade) to provide meals at no cost to all students, maximize federal reimbursement through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), and implement policies to determine student eligibility. The bill covers the gap between federal meal reimbursement rates and actual costs, including additional funding for the Great Start Readiness Program. Schools must also offer dietary accommodations (like gluten-free meals) and prioritize Michigan-sourced food where practical.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $200M from state school aid fund and $1.6M from general fund to expand free school meal program, increasing state appropriations for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $200M state funds for universal free school meals (K-12), requiring no-cost access and maximizing federal reimbursement to expand student nutrition access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Early Childhood Student Health

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