AMERICAN GOVERNMENT: GRADE-LEVEL INSTRUCTION ABOUT FOUNDING DOCUMENTS
Senate Bill 120 (Substitute S-1)
Sponsor: Sen. Patrick Colbeck
House Committee: Education
Senate Committee: Education
Complete to 3-19-14
A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 120 (S-1) AS REPORTED FROM HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 120 (S-1) would amend the Revised School Code to require school boards and charter school boards to permit grade-level instruction for students to read and study historical American documents relating to the nation's founding.
Specifically, the bill specifies that these would include documents "that contributed to the foundation or maintenance of America's representative form of limited government, the Bill of Rights, our free-market economic system, and patriotism."
Further, the bill also would prohibit a school board or school officials from censoring or restraining study or instruction in American history or heritage or Michigan history or heritage based on religious references in original in original source documents, writings, speeches, proclamations, or records.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bill would have no fiscal impact on state or local government.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION:
The House Education Committee reported out the Senate-passed version of the bill without amendment.
POSITIONS:
Constituting Michigan supports the bill. (3-5-14)
The Great Lakes Education Project supports the bill. (3-5-14)
The Michigan Catholic Conference supports the bill. (3-5-14)
The American Civil Liberties Union supports the bill. (3-19-14)
Three students testified in support of the bill. (3-5-14)
Legislative Analyst: J. Hunault
Fiscal Analysts: Bethany Wicksall
Karen Shapiro
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.