LANSING, Mich. (Nov. 26, 2024) — Today, Sens. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), and Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) introduced the “Teach MI History” legislation to ensure Michigan students receive more inclusive history lessons that better reflect the experiences of all people in the state. Senate Bills 1145-1147 will require that all Michigan school districts incorporate curriculum on the histories and contributions of communities of color within their classrooms. The legislation would also require cultural competency training for educators and create a cultural advisory board within the Michigan Dept. of Education (MDE). The House companions of these bills, sponsored by Reps. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) and Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield), are slated to be introduced in December.
In the wake of rising anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous states have passed legislation requiring specifically the teaching of AAPI history in schools; this Michigan bill package was crafted over several years to be multiracial and multifaceted, incorporating feedback from communities of color and educators.
“A curriculum that only includes the histories of some communities is a disservice to our young people, limiting their perception of our state and country and the people of color who have helped make it what it is today,” said Sen. Chang. “My daughters’ generation deserves to learn the history of all people of color, acknowledging the many contributions they have made to this state and nation as well as the challenges they’ve faced. A more inclusive history curriculum broadens minds, increases critical thinking skills, and fosters greater understanding between people of different backgrounds — one of the most powerful tools against hate. That’s needed now more than ever.”
Under Senate Bill 1145, sponsored by Sen. Camilleri, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, school boards statewide would need to ensure that one unit of instruction covering communities from the following cultural and ethnic backgrounds are incorporated in the district’s yearly history curriculum: African Americans; Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; Latino Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Caribbean Americans; Native Americans; Arab Americans, Chaldean Americans, and North Africans; and Jewish Americans. Lessons would include topics ranging from contributions made by these communities to past discriminatory policies they have faced, as well as their work in advancing civil rights. This requirement would apply to all K-12 public schools, including traditional public schools and charter schools.
“History is a shared legacy and belongs to all of us. Every student deserves to learn about the struggles and triumphs of their communities and cultures,” said Sen. Camilleri. “Just as important, Michigan’s children deserve to see themselves reflected in the stories of achievements and contributions — proof that people who look like them and share their background have overcome great obstacles to shape history. These bills will ensure that our children grow up knowing they, too, can make history and that their successes will be honored and celebrated.”
This bill package would also ensure state educators and school personnel receive cultural competency training covering topics such as the value of inclusion, implicit bias, and key historic contributions and struggles experienced by communities of color. Sponsored by Sen. Chang, Senate Bill 1146 would direct MDE to develop or adopt and provide schools with these professional development resources by June 2026.
This legislation would also bring perspectives more representative of our state to MDE through the creation of a cultural history advisory board, as directed by Senate Bill 1147, sponsored by Sen. Geiss. Tasked with providing recommendations to MDE regarding the professional development toolkit for educators, the board would include members from several ethnic backgrounds as well as K-12 educators, a school board member, representatives of labor organizations serving teachers, and members representing higher education.
“As the only Afro-Caribbean-Latina member of the Michigan Legislature, I know firsthand how critical culturally inclusive education is for the prosperity of our youth and our society as a whole,” said Sen. Geiss. “My legislation would establish a cultural history advisory board to help ensure MDE and school districts have the resources and expertise needed to teach Michigan children the rich histories of marginalized communities — because kids of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds deserve to see themselves reflected in the curriculum they’re learning in school. This is good public policy that will not only help break down implicit biases and discriminatory rhetoric but will also encourage multiracial understanding and strengthen critical thinking skills among our youth.”
This proposed legislation builds off last year’s efforts, when state legislators included funding in the 2024 state budget for inclusive history curriculum pilot programs and for MDE to develop a toolkit to assist school districts with the teaching of diverse history. Both of these efforts are underway.
“This is not just about teaching history—we are fostering empathy, cultural awareness, and the critical thinking skills our students need to thrive in an interconnected world,” said Rep. Puri. “This curriculum is about ensuring that every student sees themselves in the story of our country and is equipped to build a more inclusive future.”
“We cannot truly learn from history if we exclude parts of it,” said Rep. Hoskins. “This is why I’m happy to see these bills ensure a more accurate tale of history, adding back perspectives traditionally excluded. For many Michiganders, teaching these histories will allow them to experience and see the accomplishments, struggles and more that their people have gone through. History is both beautiful and ugly — it’s important that we teach many perspectives, so we can spread the beauty and recognize and learn from the ugly.”
“As our state and student populations become increasingly diverse, it’s about time that Michigan’s K-12 social studies curriculum reflects all students in our schools,” said Henry Duong, Legislative Director of Rising Voices who also leads the Teach MI History campaign, a statewide coalition of parents, students, educators, and advocates. “Amidst the recent national wave restricting what can be taught in classrooms, we have the opportunity now in Michigan to support and stand with teachers who want to do right by their students and teach comprehensive and accurate history.”
“The Teach MI History legislation addresses the need for students to see themselves reflected in the history they are being taught in our education system, fostering a sense of pride and self-actualization,” said Cindy Gamboa, Executive Director of MI Poder, a member of Teach MI History. “This is a pivotal moment in which empowering young people to understand and embrace their cultural identities is crucial for shaping a better future.”