[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,109],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6123564,"mediaKeyId","2689459-fb9a0343e728d12e976b199f833d4eaf","parentId",2689459,"title","Sponsors propose voluntary pilot to alter statewide testing cadence and measure growth; committee asks about federal requirements and turnaround time","audioSeconds",1046,"startMs",754000,"endMs",1800000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2689459-fb9a0343e728d12e976b199f833d4eaf&start=754&end=1800","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2689459-fb9a0343e728d12e976b199f833d4eaf/thumbnail_754000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6123564/Michigan/Sponsors-propose-voluntary-pilot-to-alter-statewide-testing-cadence-and-measure-growth-committee-asks-about-federal-requirements-and-turnaround-time","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123564-c333009d29f086726ad3c1968148099d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097381&Signature=TSsUhyV2tFiotbyRC1kTcPy2RVNzMxBHJXipbSFYTW5WwauU5snWNXMHnFCQ97birXtzwoe8-EPS-8IOqLWikPHeI7gAXKmmurej-yQclS9E6jyGgMONNi52ZJbuINnxJvQNCLWyWRMDUqsD91vPRU3KMFr6cr2NoQ5AuXVSNijYp3oLpgDD~xkiTCNxw2IJHC3GKmPSfy27gptPo678EcJeCBgJlCiwz2g0FN5Z23INiSxgwxzYwZ3pIin3NGYXj2qaAFwHVE3-ebp7~4hxEHgz9Lsfuc14BBSnH6CJkvzUH1GJB46Je0PRLyX5T91FhpLx5eF4Cb0Rlm119jZKrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Michigan Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","House Bills 4157 and 4158, introduced as a paired pilot, would give districts the opportunity to test alternative summative and growth models for standardized assessments. Representative Green described the bills as an opportunity to pilot test models that measure growth while retaining comparative summative results. \"So this offers an opportunity to have a pilot program, so it's not mandatory, but it's a pilot program that we can explore different types of testing ... and that children are only tested 3 times a year instead of having all these testing, done and especially that huge monster at the end of the year,\" Green told the committee.

Sponsors said the pilot would be voluntary and that districts chosen for pilots could be exempted from the current M-STEP administration while still meeting federal summative-test requirements. When asked if states need U.S. Department of Education permission to change tests, sponsors answered no, provided the replacement meets federal summative criteria. \"No. As long as we are meeting the federal requirements for what they're asking for for standardized testing, ... we can conduct it however we want,\" a sponsor said.

Committee members also pressed on operational details. Representative Burns asked whether the bill’s statutory requirement to deliver results within 14 days referred to business days or calendar days; sponsors said they would accept an amendment to clarify the timeframe. Members also asked whether tests would include essays (which take longer to score) and whether a 14-day turnaround is feasible; sponsors said scoring decisions would be left to hired test developers and that the pilot structure was intended to shorten the long delays districts currently experience in receiving results.

The committee discussed concerns about double-testing. A member asked whether students in pilot districts would be double-tested if M-STEP remains required; sponsors said the bill exempts pilot students from M-STEP during trials because the pilot tests would meet federal summative requirements.

Ending: Committee members asked sponsors to clarify the 14-day results deadline and to consult with test developers about what scoring types (essay vs. multiple choice) are feasible within the proposed turnaround.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Education and Workforce - 3/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bills 4157 and 4158 would create a voluntary pilot allowing districts to trial alternative testing models that pair growth measures with summative reporting and reduce the number of in-year tests.","taxTitle","2025 House Legislature MI, Michigan","taxId",77683,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123569,"Debate over Michigan Merit Curriculum changes spotlights personal finance and arts requirements",0,2546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2689459-fb9a0343e728d12e976b199f833d4eaf&start=2546&end=2546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2689459-fb9a0343e728d12e976b199f833d4eaf/thumbnail_2546000.jpg","/articles/6123569/Michigan/Debate-over-Michigan-Merit-Curriculum-changes-spotlights-personal-finance-and-arts-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123569-4aae48fb5b0b9a58f947fc2541374b4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097381&Signature=Uv5B3w0De83GCM5Rd9isp1kWBUNB2Omsa9UZuZx07EuL4w06-f2SJJl1hfgqQ~00-XLXpQPj8Pe0Zn0n-TUCSxu7DBIog3xZ42o3cMBhsMXqL1utkuWjurgwn4ALcrLw6xXeNWZvTk1KWlA2IguyTdpXp8HiGnNHibIFIo9qixBpYQv56ATMS6G-MlZYxZzo1PMEFJbklD1n~0H7fGGJfJaHfjz53NxgKGnZRpWyCAYkoIf7yFf4x9iQIvnl-UPcePhPIxcYkpUBJm7WXjMBQU4S3J2Y5V~lztKjO3yTwhscqLEeA8FSegjiHO0UZsx-VMwss8IJBZZgmtK-EJ5sCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 4156, presented to the House Education and Workforce Committee, would revise the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC). Testimony at the hearing focused on two sharp themes: advocates urged ensuring a personal finance graduation guarantee, while representatives of school principals and arts educators warned that the bill’s proposed course lists could reduce local flexibility and weaken arts instruction.

Derek D'Angelo, president of the Michigan Council on Economic Education, told the committee, \"We are here to fully support HB 4,156 and its attempts to make personal finance a graduation guarantee for all Michigan students.\" D'Angelo argued that standalone personal finance instruction improves financial behaviors and outcomes and noted that only 2.1 percent of Michigan students took a standalone personal finance course last year.

By contrast, Bob Kefchin, associate director of government relations for the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, said the bill as drafted risks limiting student pathways by naming many course titles and adding three required credits. \"We believe the legislation in front of you today ... would have the unintended impact of limiting flexibility for schools and students,\" Kefchin testified, urging the committee to focus graduation requirements on state standards rather than prescriptive course titles and to strengthen the personal curriculum option that individualizes students' graduation plans.

Ryan Shaw, government relations coordinator for the Michigan Music Education Association, said HB 4156 broadens the one-credit arts requirement in ways that could allow non-arts courses—such as culinary studies or certain CTE offerings—to satisfy arts credit, which the music educators oppose. \"We are opposed to House Bill 4156 specifically because of the way that it broadens the 1 credit arts requirement in ways that we believe go against the spirit of the original requirement,\" Shaw testified, warning the bill could lead some schools to stop offering visual and performing arts courses.

Committee members asked sponsors about access and implementation for small or rural schools, the potential need for MDE support, and whether the proposal duplicates prior bills framed to allow flexibility by referencing standards rather than course titles. Principals urged keeping the MMC flexible to allow individualized pathways aligned to students’ postsecondary goals.

Ending: Witnesses urged the committee either to rewrite the bill to focus on standards and expanded personal curriculum options or to clarify and narrow any new course-name mandates so they do not reduce access for students in smaller districts.","House Bill 4156 would revise the Michigan Merit Curriculum; supporters urged adding personal finance as a graduation guarantee while principals and arts educators warned the bill could reduce flexibility and weaken arts requirements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123574,"Rep. St. Germain seeks statewide list of recommended curricula and vendors",1855,442000,2297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2689459-fb9a0343e728d12e976b199f833d4eaf&start=442&end=2297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2689459-fb9a0343e728d12e976b199f833d4eaf/thumbnail_442000.jpg","/articles/6123574/Michigan/Rep-St-Germain-seeks-statewide-list-of-recommended-curricula-and-vendors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123574-67e71e2e2a449ef2b6bf72270146bc06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097381&Signature=bEvQrBPAHVqZcMLuPAj1bN6q8AlTSHmLTl098-WeCwVrYVTwZMspFbI~tPvejduN21kqJX7vIyy~mfECnk4Uw0QLAQdExKberDRvxXXYVQsxO1VCBrYYzRBm5IOQnAqV3iqs3OtUuJAGc9p0wEN2C7J~QeScyrIimSc2chvll2dS7GA6zutnxcn2aG15v0nNq9URJ4O0CLS9gsO4BWQAvisz52s5Eyh5~aER9qh~KT13pNMQ9XFEzWiRwDgzeuShfo39NkoG6HYeUzmABR5ckRmQYrzkr1xZL7zirc4L17FVQJ20sqBZvp4jiJRvnCCH9nQqyN-DK4wj2pxWCgK-pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","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.","House Bill 4155 would require the Michigan Department of Education to publish a user-friendly list of recommended curricula and vendors to help teachers and districts find programs aligned to student needs; sponsors say the list is voluntary for districts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":79,"_43":102,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123554,"Committee approves substitute and reports House Joint Resolution E changing superintendent appointment language; final report passes 7–4",3136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2689459-fb9a0343e728d12e976b199f833d4eaf&start=3136&end=3136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2689459-fb9a0343e728d12e976b199f833d4eaf/thumbnail_3136000.jpg","/articles/6123554/Michigan/Committee-approves-substitute-and-reports-House-Joint-Resolution-E-changing-superintendent-appointment-language-final-report-passes-74","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123554-b79c47a422e909bc858f5ad189517a0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097381&Signature=k4Cuh-wUEhTgsO8-5Hwi2Zp59gDJelP2e7qZMRgFm23iSmrg1nW8C7r0K-hPEvyLIS3pzgt~QsNQlOWg2x97D-0wo42vlNUaw~gRQziFuBkarqnDok3d~mEmPBogvd~aMpbZGqqgkbwQPSiQN~S-08D0vgDNbMkDi2FQ1EyvoRBLjh-XRabkEgKpJ07UclRNc6eoIdFLry2NUPGV92oi-MbmV9LGyy~61TuxbgRso2zABUjJ1gQuKhNiTfwI6q6Es5tbFDP3yUn9EM7DwS9UBSnzet-M6r-1D7F0I2Fltowh3WRSl4geuQ0L1bpA8ACSpz6P4sD0oEvoYDhTdC44HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education and Workforce Committee considered House Joint Resolution E, a constitutional amendment proposal clarified by an H‑1 substitute that the committee adopted and then reported to the full House. The substitute clarifies that the state superintendent serves at the pleasure of the governor and references the State Board of Education members as elected by districts, aligning the resolution with an expected floor substitute to a related bill.

Vice Chair Linting moved adoption of the H‑1 substitute; the clerk called the roll and the substitute was approved by voice/roll call (11–0) earlier in the hearing. The committee then voted to report House Joint Resolution E as substitute H‑1 with recommendation. The clerk recorded the roll: 7 ayes, 4 nays, 0 pass; the motion prevailed and the resolution was reported out of committee.

Representative Wilson voted no on the final report; other committee members recorded as nays included Kholzler and Weiss and Burns per the clerk’s announcement. Committee discussion referenced a prior week’s testimony on the resolution and stated the substitute aligns language about the superintendent and State Board elections with related pending legislation.

Ending: The H‑1 substitute was reported by committee with a 7–4 vote; the committee record shows the substitute was recommended to the full House for further consideration.","The committee adopted an H‑1 substitute to House Joint Resolution E clarifying that the state superintendent serves at the pleasure of the governor and referencing elected State Board of Education members; the committee reported the substitute by a 7–4 vote.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123559,"Committee adopts substitute for bill to embed 'science of reading' standards in K–6 literacy",115,338000,453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2689459-fb9a0343e728d12e976b199f833d4eaf&start=338&end=453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2689459-fb9a0343e728d12e976b199f833d4eaf/thumbnail_338000.jpg","/articles/6123559/Michigan/Committee-adopts-substitute-for-bill-to-embed-science-of-reading-standards-in-K6-literacy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123559-367b292df6361e1e301d5a2768b82480/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097381&Signature=dfU9XVaX6p2WdskZECN7g3lIppUd1aL9IrX2t0E7FznnytIgMK3BbIOrDkeknskWekC7Hbx9JTB2c2daF0Uyh~x5mzMYbtFbaGF~BYs09PZd-Pm6Trbn0UA0q6W~DAq5sTNwos5TCedQxHqOK8N065wSPrlZS66NJAZpLiMS4g8Sf883mvno-PSW7wfatApVvMNlVJFrUNUAs410WmF68O3KLTFVpNMK4mw1eybT1tq~vpl34cnQ3Q5MBt8-rCI9OhVtBNjAKVUrOApOzbqgoUSM7ln7rMfsfyThQevJdLDiKkLjEyzFyY2Fz3ugthfyLy9NDZlz~DOopEuHxmRJVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education and Workforce Committee voted to adopt an H‑1 substitute on House Bill 4159, a measure that updates the Revised School Code to strengthen academic standards and require kindergarten through sixth-grade literacy instruction to follow the \"science of reading\" model. Vice Chair Linting moved the H‑1 substitute and the clerk called the roll. The clerk reported \"11 yeas, 0 nays, 0 pass. The motion prevails.\" The substitute adoption took place before the panel heard sponsors' testimony on the wider bill package.

In subsequent testimony about the package, Vice Chair Linting described HB 4159 as aligning the state’s statutory standards with evidence-based literacy instruction focused on decoding, phonics and vocabulary. \"This model promotes a literacy curriculum that puts a focus on decoding, phonics, vocabulary development, and other evidence based instructional methods that we know work,\" Linting said when introducing the literacy measure.

Committee members pressed sponsors on how the changes differ from prior enactments, including last term’s dyslexia legislation and Common Core-aligned standards. Representative Weiss and others asked whether the bill would add new requirements beyond existing standards and whether codifying the language was necessary given prior statutory changes. Sponsors said the bill aims to close gaps between state standards and curriculum implementation so districts consistently deliver research-backed reading instruction.

Ending: The record shows the H‑1 substitute on HB 4159 passed 11–0; further committee work on implementation and coordination with the Department of Education was discussed but no final committee report or floor action on the underlying bill is recorded in the transcript.","The committee adopted an H-1 substitute on House Bill 4159 that would update the revised school code to strengthen K–6 literacy standards to follow the 'science of reading' model; the substitute passed by roll call 11-0 before witnesses testified on the bill package.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sponsors propose voluntary pilot to alter statewide testing cadence and measure growth; committee asks about federal requirements and turnaround time

Debate over Michigan Merit Curriculum changes spotlights personal finance and arts requirements

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

Committee approves substitute and reports House Joint Resolution E changing superintendent appointment language; final report passes 7–4

Committee adopts substitute for bill to embed 'science of reading' standards in K–6 literacy