This bill amends the Revised School Code to require that, starting in the 2027-2028 school year, all school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies in Michigan include age- and grade-appropriate units of instruction on various cultural histories in their history curricula. The mandated instruction will cover Black history, Indigenous Peoples history, Asian American and Pacific Islander history, Latin American, Hispanic American, and Caribbean American history, Middle Eastern, North African, and Chaldean American history, and Jewish American history. Each unit will highlight significant contributions and historical events related to these communities, including their roles in civil rights advancements and the impact of discriminatory policies. The bill also requires the Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop instructional materials in line with state social studies standards, with input from cultural centers and experts.

Additionally, the bill specifies that instruction on both Jewish American history and European American history must be included, detailing the contributions of these groups and their historical contexts. It emphasizes inclusivity and appropriateness for all students, prohibiting any form of bias or discrimination in the teaching materials. The bill allows for flexibility in integrating these units into existing curricula and permits the use of virtual courses. Furthermore, it updates existing legal language to clarify that the core academic curriculum should focus solely on academic and cognitive instruction, excluding non-essential attitudes or beliefs, while ensuring that topics related to discrimination and oppression are included in the recommended curriculum standards.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 380.1278