Bill > HB4020

This bill establishes a temporary commission to update and improve African-American history instruction in Michigan's K-12 schools. The commission will consist of representatives from various universities (University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University), the NAACP Michigan conference, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University. Within one year of its first meeting, the commission must review current curriculum standards and recommend age-appropriate instruction on African-American history, focusing on key periods like Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Era, and highlighting African-Americans' contributions to the United States and other countries. Following the commission's recommendations, the state board will be required to update curriculum standards, and starting in the 2026-2027 school year, all school districts and public school academies must provide comprehensive African-American history instruction across all grade levels. Additionally, state assessments like the Michigan Merit Examination and M-STEP will be modified to include questions related to the new learning objectives. The commission members will serve voluntarily without compensation, and their work will be conducted transparently through public meetings and subject to freedom of information regulations.

Education

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4020