The bill amends the Revised School Code to enhance the accreditation requirements for school districts in Michigan. It stipulates that if a school district desires accreditation for all its schools, it must provide a core academic curriculum that complies with specific state standards. The bill emphasizes that the curriculum must focus solely on academic and cognitive instruction, excluding non-essential attitudes, beliefs, or value systems. Additionally, it mandates that the state board develop and periodically update model core academic curriculum content standards, which must include specific learning objectives in various subjects, including history, with a focus on genocide education, and reading and writing standards based on the science of reading.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the responsibilities of school district boards in establishing and delivering the core academic curriculum, ensuring that all pupils have the opportunity to learn the required subjects. It also includes provisions for special assistance for pupils who do not meet reading proficiency standards and mandates that nonpublic schools have access to the model core academic curriculum standards for their curriculum development. The bill introduces new definitions, including "science of reading," to clarify the instructional approaches that should be utilized in teaching reading and writing.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-1): 380.1278
House Introduced Bill: 380.1278
As Passed by the House: 380.1278