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 must incorporate units of age- and grade-appropriate instruction on various cultural histories into their history curricula. Specifically, the bill mandates the inclusion of instruction on Black history, Indigenous People 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 must cover significant contributions and historical events related to these communities, including their roles in civil rights advancements and the impact of discriminatory policies. The Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction is tasked with developing instructional materials that align with state social studies standards, with input from relevant cultural centers and experts.

Additionally, the bill updates existing legal language to clarify that the core academic curriculum must focus solely on academic and cognitive instruction, excluding non-essential attitudes or beliefs. It emphasizes that the instruction must be inclusive and appropriate for all students, regardless of their backgrounds, and must not promote any form of bias or discrimination. The bill allows for flexibility in integrating these units into existing lesson plans and permits the use of virtual courses to meet these requirements. School boards are responsible for monitoring compliance with these new instructional mandates, ensuring that topics such as genocide and discrimination are included in the recommended curriculum standards.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 380.1278