House narrowly approves bill for legislative approval of model curriculum changes

LANSING — Lawmakers on the Michigan House floor approved House Bill 5364 on March 3, a measure that would require legislative approval before changes to the state’s model core academic curriculum can be implemented.

Representative Johnson, who introduced the bill, and Representative Shrivever, who spoke in strong support, said HB 5364 is meant to restore transparency and legislative oversight after the State Board of Education adopted new health education standards last November. Johnson told colleagues the bill would require a concurrent resolution of both chambers before new model content standards could be enforced.

"Our schools should build proficient citizens equipped with facts and critical thinking," Representative Shrivever said in support, framing the legislation as protecting academic integrity and parental input. Sponsors emphasized the change is not intended to strip the State Board of Education of all authority but to ensure significant, statewide changes receive legislative review.

Opponents questioned whether the change would slow necessary updates to curriculum and create an additional political step for technical or academic revisions. The House approved HB 5364 on a roll-call vote of 56–50 and ordered immediate effect.

Procedure and next steps: The bill was taken up on third reading after being advanced earlier in the day; sponsors and opponents debated its scope on the floor. The transcript did not specify implementation timelines or what would constitute a "significant" change requiring legislative concurrence.