Michigan House Bill 6263 amends the state penal code to expand the definition of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, which is classified as a misdemeanor felony. The bill specifically targets individuals who engage in sexual contact with minors aged 16 to 17 who are students, or young adults aged 16 to 25 receiving special education services, when the perpetrator is a teacher, school employee, volunteer, or other authority figure using their position to gain access to the victim. It also includes provisions for sexual contact involving foster care residents and mental health patients, while maintaining existing penalties of up to two years in prison or a fine of $500.
This bill amends the state school aid act to appropriate approximately $18.1 billion for public schools and education purposes for the fiscal year ending in 2026, and about $18.8 billion for the following year. It specifies that these funds will be drawn from multiple sources, including the state school aid fund, the general fund, and various specialized reserve funds for transportation, enrollment stabilization, and educator fellowships. Additionally, the bill allocates up to $50,000 from the state school aid fund to support the operation of a specific "learner-first district." The legislation only takes effect if a separate companion bill is also enacted into law.
This bill allows Michigan school districts to hire non-certified teachers for specific subjects like computer science, engineering, and career and technical education, provided the hires meet strict qualifications such as holding a bachelor's degree with a major in the subject area and having relevant work experience. While districts must prioritize hiring fully certified teachers when possible, the legislation creates an exception for CTE programs, permitting non-certified instructors with industry expertise to work in those roles for up to 20 years with potential extensions. Additionally, the bill streamlines the path to certification for these temporary hires by waiving the student teaching requirement if they complete three years of successful classroom instruction.
This bill extends the ability of Michigan school districts and academies to hire non-certified teachers for career and technical education programs in fields like engineering, robotics, and industrial technology. To qualify, these educators must hold a high school diploma or equivalent, possess at least two years of professional experience in their specific field within the last decade, and maintain a valid professional license or certification if one is required for the subject they teach. While the law generally requires districts to hire certified teachers first, it allows them to keep non-certified staff for up to 10 years with approval from state or district officials if those staff members are actively pursuing certification or have significant industry expertise. Additionally, the bill creates a pathway where non-certified teachers who successfully complete three years of classroom instruction can have their student teaching requirement waived to obtain a provisional teaching certificate.
This bill updates Michigan's school code to require that length of service cannot be the only factor used when making personnel decisions such as hiring, promotions, or layoffs for teachers. Instead, school districts must use clear procedures that include effectiveness ratings from performance evaluations alongside other relevant criteria like disciplinary records and special training. The law specifically defines which professional development courses count toward these decisions, limiting them to those that offer degree-eligible credit from accredited institutions and result in a letter grade. While schools may still consider how long a teacher has served, they must now weigh this against demonstrated performance and specific, graded coursework to determine staffing outcomes.
This bill allows Michigan school districts and academies to hire non-certified teachers for specific subjects like computer science, engineering, and career and technical education. To qualify, these teachers must hold a bachelor's degree in their field of study, possess relevant professional experience, and pass any required subject exams. The law prioritizes hiring certified teachers but permits the use of non-certified staff if a certified candidate is unavailable or if the teacher is actively pursuing certification. Additionally, the bill extends the maximum employment period for non-certified career and technical education instructors to 10 years with approval, and it offers a pathway to waive student teaching requirements for those who complete three years of successful classroom work.
HB 5957 amends Michigan's Revised School Code to modify how nonrenewable temporary teaching certificates are handled and to clarify requirements for out-of-state educators seeking Michigan certification. The bill allows individuals holding valid teaching certificates from other states or countries to receive comparable Michigan credentials without passing state-specific exams if they have at least three years of successful teaching experience. It also establishes that these out-of-state educators must still meet the state's reading credit requirements to advance to professional certification, while ensuring the Superintendent of Public Instruction can deny certificates for fraud or criminal convictions. Additionally, the legislation mandates the development of specific subject area examinations and requires an annual report detailing the exam process and associated financial data.
This bill requires teacher preparation programs in Michigan to include specific training on the science of reading and dyslexia by September 2027. Programs preparing educators for reading, language arts, special education, or school psychology roles must teach evidence-based methods grounded in structured literacy for students with dyslexia and for the general student population. The legislation also mandates that all teacher training programs cover the characteristics of dyslexia, its secondary effects on learning and behavior, and how to use multi-tiered support systems in classrooms. If a program does not focus on these specific subject areas, the state department may grant a waiver for some requirements, provided the waiver is reviewed every two years.
This bill modifies Michigan's school aid act to adjust how state funding is withheld from school districts that fail to meet minimum instructional day requirements due to closures. It specifically creates an exception for districts losing instructional days to conditions beyond their control, allowing them to avoid penalties for those specific days while maintaining a lower attendance threshold of 60% instead of the standard 75% for added calendar days. The legislation also clarifies that hours or days lost during strikes or teacher conferences do not count toward the minimum instructional requirements. By updating these rules, the bill aims to provide flexibility for districts facing unexpected closures while ensuring they still adhere to core accountability standards for student attendance and instruction.
This bill designates the week of May 4-8, 2026, as Teacher Appreciation Week throughout Michigan. It directly affects teachers, students, parents, and the general public by encouraging them to recognize and thank educators for their contributions. The resolution contains no new laws or funding, but rather serves as a formal declaration to honor the teaching profession.
