Rep. St. Germain seeks statewide list of recommended curricula and vendors

House Bill 4155, sponsored by Representative St. Germain, would require the Michigan Department of Education to publish a list of recommended curricula and vendors on the department’s website to help educators identify programs that fit student needs. "My bill number is, house bill 4155. It's pretty simple. It simply requires the Michigan Department of Education to publish a list of recommended curriculum, vendors and companies," St. Germain said in testimony to the House Education and Workforce Committee.

The bill’s sponsor told the committee the list is intended as a resource, not a mandate, for districts and teachers selecting instructional materials. St. Germain gave a classroom example, saying a teacher could use the list to find reading programs that better fit students with dyslexia or other learning differences. "Schools aren't required to provide that specific curriculum, but just another tool for students and school districts, to help them, with a user friendly database on the Michigan Department of Education website," she said.

Supporters described the proposal as a way to reduce wasted district spending on materials that later prove a poor fit. Committee members asked whether a similar requirement already exists in law after the legislature’s dyslexia-related package; Representative Weiss noted a statutory requirement for the department to publish evidence-based reading curricula by Jan. 1, 2026, and questioned whether HB 4155 adds new authority or simply duplicates existing duties.

Committee members also asked whether the proposed list would be limited to reading curricula or cover all subjects; St. Germain said the bill is intended to cover all subject matters and provide a searchable resource for teachers. "There’s a little bit of a backstory to this," she said, describing instances where schools purchased expensive curricula that did not fit local needs.

The bill does not mandate that districts adopt items on the list. In questions from Representative Fuchs, St. Germain reiterated, "No. They're not required to. Just gives them the resources, the tools ... to make an informed decision." Committee members suggested coordinating with the Department of Education to avoid duplicating requirements already created by prior legislation.

Ending: Committee testimony on HB 4155 concluded with stakeholder input offered later in the hearing; the committee did not take a final vote on HB 4155 during the session recorded in the transcript.