Education (Teachers)

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 11, 2025

SB 380: Education: teachers and administrators; references regarding teacher performance evaluations; modify. Amends sec. 4, art. I, secs. 2a & 3b, art. II & sec. 3, art. III of 1937 (Ex Sess) PA 4 (MCL 38.74 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0379'25

SB 380 modifies Michigan's teacher tenure rules to clarify how probationary teachers (new teachers) achieve tenure and how performance evaluations affect both probationary and tenured teachers. It requires probationary teachers to earn "effective" or "highly effective" ratings on their most recent three year-end evaluations (with specific timelines: 5 years before July 1, 2024, and 4 years after) to complete their probationary period. For tenured teachers rated "ineffective" or "minimally effective," the bill mandates an individualized development plan with clear goals, to be completed within 180 days. The bill directly affects public school teachers in Michigan, particularly new educators seeking tenure and existing tenured teachers needing performance support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires probationary teachers to achieve 'effective' ratings for tenure, strengthening performance evaluation standards for educators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 19, 2025

SB 189: Education: teachers and administrators; waiver for certain certification tests; provide for. Amends sec. 1531 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1531).

SB 189 allows out-of-state teachers with at least three years of successful teaching experience in their home state or country to obtain Michigan teaching certificates or endorsements without retaking required exams or completing Michigan's reading certification requirements. It directly affects educators moving to Michigan from other jurisdictions who provide documentation of their teaching history. The bill maintains existing requirements for Michigan-certified teachers (including reading coursework) but waives exam and reading credit hurdles for qualifying out-of-state applicants. The legislation does not change Michigan's standard certification rules for new teachers or alter the reading competency standards for existing educators.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationWaives certification exams for out-of-state teachers, easing workforce entry and supporting educator recruitment in K-12 schools per bill's explicit purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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passed · Michigan · Senate Mar 19, 2025

SB 83: School aid: other; future educator student teacher stipend program; modify. Amends sec. 27c of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1627c).

SB 83 allocates $30 million from the state school aid fund and $20 million from the educator fellowship fund for the 2024-2025 school year to create a stipend program for student teachers in Michigan. Eligible student teachers must be enrolled in approved teacher training programs, working in a school district or qualifying public preschool program, and not yet employed as a full teacher. The program provides up to $9,600 per semester directly to student teachers through their training programs, with priority given to those receiving Pell Grants if funds are limited. This affects student teachers pursuing certification and their educator preparation programs, aiming to support their classroom experience during training.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $50M from existing state funds to create a stipend program for student teachers, directly funding public education through budget execution.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $50M for student teacher stipends, directly funding educator training and retention programs to strengthen teacher pipeline.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Student Financial Aid Teachers

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 315: Education: financing; sinking funds to be used for teacher housing; allow. Amends secs. 11a, 1141, 1212 & 1351a of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.11a et seq.).

Senate Bill 315 amends Michigan's revised school code. The bill specifically allows school districts to use their existing sinking funds for the purpose of providing housing for teachers. This expands the permissible uses of these funds, which are typically designated for capital projects like construction or repairs. The change offers school districts a new mechanism to finance housing options for their teachers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows sinking funds for teacher housing, directly supporting educator retention through housing access and expanding funding mechanisms for staff needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Teachers

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 4688: Education: teachers and administrators; instruction and professional development on cultural competency; provide for. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1526c.

HB 4688 requires Michigan public schools to provide cultural competency training for all educators and school staff starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The state must develop resources covering diversity, cultural identity, historic contributions of multiple cultural groups, and implicit bias (with expert input) by June 2027. Educators must complete this training as part of professional development, while non-educator staff must receive similar training but are exempt from history-focused content. This bill directly affects all public school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies in Michigan.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates cultural competency training for educators as part of professional development, strengthening teacher preparedness and curriculum inclusivity per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Aug 12, 2025

SB 493: School aid: local districts; grant program for school districts to maintain smaller classroom sizes; provide for. Amends 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1601 - 388.1896) by adding sec. 31c.

SB 493 creates a $65 million grant program for Michigan school districts to reduce K-3 class sizes, targeting high-need areas (Opportunity Index Band 4+). Districts must use at least 30% of their existing state aid funds to support these small classes, with average class sizes capped at 17 students (max 19 per class). The program prioritizes geographic diversity and specifically allocates funds to Muskegon Heights, Benton Harbor, Flint, and Wayne-Westland school districts for the 2025-2026 school year. Funds are a temporary two-year initiative, with unspent money carrying over to 2026-2027 to lower K-3 class sizes by 2030.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $65M grant program using state funds to reduce class sizes, increasing educational budget allocation and requiring districts to use existing state aid for this purpose.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates $65M grant to reduce K-3 class sizes in high-need districts, requiring 30% state aid use for smaller classes (max 17 students).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 11, 2025

HB 4853: Individual income tax: credit; credit for expenditures by school teachers and administrators for school supplies; provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding sec. 285.

HB 4853 creates a 50% tax credit for Michigan teachers and school administrators who spend on classroom supplies, effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2026. The credit covers up to $2,000 for single filers or $4,000 for joint filers, directly benefiting educators in public schools, public school academies, or state-approved nonpublic schools. Eligible supplies include books, technology, art materials, lab equipment, and classroom projects. Any credit exceeding the taxpayer’s annual tax bill cannot be refunded. This policy change aims to offset out-of-pocket expenses for educators directly involved in classroom instruction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesHB 4853 provides tax relief (50% credit up to $2k/$4k) for teachers' classroom expenses, directly reducing tax burden on middle-income educators per tax code amendment.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates 50% tax credit for teachers' classroom supply expenses, reducing out-of-pocket costs and directly supporting educator resources per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 11, 2025

SB 379: Education: teachers and administrators; performance evaluation systems for public school teachers and school administrators; modify. Amends secs. 1248, 1249, 1249a, 1249b & 1280f of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1248 et seq.) & adds secs. 1250a, 1531l & 1531m. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0380'25

SB 379 modifies Michigan's school code to require school districts to base personnel decisions (like layoffs, recalls, or hiring) on teacher effectiveness measured by the existing performance evaluation system, rather than length of service or tenure alone. It specifically prohibits retaining teachers rated "ineffective" over those rated "minimally effective," "effective," or "highly effective," and mandates that individual performance - especially student growth - be the primary factor. School districts must adopt transparent procedures for these decisions, considering factors like teaching skills, classroom management, and contributions to school performance. The bill directly affects public school teachers, administrators, and school districts in Michigan, changing how staffing changes are handled. It also limits remedies for teachers challenging decisions to reinstatement only, excluding financial damages.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires performance-based teacher evaluations prioritizing effectiveness over tenure, aiming to improve educational quality by retaining effective educators and removing ineffective ones.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 381: Labor: collective bargaining; calendar and schedule for school year; make prohibited subjects of bargaining. Amends sec. 15 of 1947 PA 336 (MCL 423.215). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0379'25

This Michigan bill amends labor law to prohibit public school districts from negotiating with teacher unions about 16 specific topics, including school calendars, staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and classroom observation policies. It directly affects school districts and their employee unions by restricting collective bargaining to only wages, hours, and basic working conditions. Key provisions add these topics to a formal list of "prohibited subjects" in bargaining agreements, meaning schools cannot discuss them during contract negotiations. The bill clarifies that operational decisions like school schedules (for state aid eligibility) and staffing reductions remain the sole responsibility of school districts.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits bargaining on school calendars, staffing, and evaluations - restricting union input in educational management. Directly limits negotiation scope for school operations.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits collective bargaining on key issues like school calendars, staffing, and evaluations, restricting union negotiations beyond wages/hours.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Collective Bargaining

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passed · Michigan · House May 13, 2025

HB 4152: Education: other; certain requirements for the approval of teacher preparation institutions; create. Amends sec. 1531e of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1531e).

HB 4152 requires Michigan teacher preparation programs (and alternative teaching programs) to include specific training content starting September 30, 2027, to gain or maintain state approval. The bill mandates instruction on dyslexia characteristics, consequences, instructional adjustments, and multi-tiered support systems (MTSS), with additional evidence-based reading methods required for programs preparing teachers in reading, language arts, or special education. Programs focused on math or science must develop curricula in consultation with subject-matter experts. These requirements apply directly to institutions training future educators, with waivers possible for non-relevant programs under specific conditions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates teacher training on dyslexia and evidence-based reading methods to improve educator preparedness and student support in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

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