As families settle into the new year, it’s wise to read up on the new laws that have taken effect in Michigan.
Many new labor, transportation, economic and environmental laws are coming into effect this year, but we’ve focused on the five most important laws for families. These education bills will impact young kids, high schoolers, school facilities and safety measures.
Here are the five new laws that will affect students this year and in the future.
Funding for detailed maps in case of crises
In major emergencies like active shootings, schools can now provide “critical incident mapping” to law enforcement instead of school maps and blueprints. Critical incident mapping uses satellite imaging to create a real-life depiction of a school and its grounds with labels for important areas like a cafeteria or gymnasium. The information is shared with local 9-1-1 operators quarterly and is hoped to be a better tool for de-escalating crisis situations.
Mandatory financial literacy course for high schoolers
A pilot group of students will take a half-credit course focused on budgeting and making smart financial decisions this fall. Students are required to pass the class in order to graduate.
Working toward standardized sign language learning
The Michigan Department of Education will create new developmental milestones for all children ages 5 or younger who are deaf or hard of hearing by August 31, 2025. This legislation, which includes teaching children ASL at an early age, will ensure their success as they transition to a normal school day. By July 1, 2026, the department of education will produce a report based on data from this state performance plan that compares students with disabilities with their peers, with a new report to be published annually.
More sports opportunities for dual enrollment students
Students who want to continue playing sports but are in the fifth year of an early middle college program are now able to participate in collegiate athletics once their four years of high school sports is up. Previously, early middle college students were not allowed to participate in college sports.
New signage for schools
School offices and rooms that host Board of Education meetings will now require a sign displaying part of the Revised School Code: “It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching and education of their children. The public schools of this state serve the needs of the pupils by cooperating with the pupil’s parents and legal guardians to develop the pupil’s intellectual capabilities and vocational skills in a safe and positive environment.”
Plus, the same spaces will need to include a sign featuring this language from the Michigan constitution: “Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.”
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All that is great,going after dead beat dads would help moms provide more things for their children like internet bills so they can pay the bill. Also cost of food and clothes and gas to take them to dads drop off and pick ups. The sad thing is you gave them stimulas check for kids that reside with moms instead of paying arrears. We are talking over 15,000.00 in debt WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM? WHY NOT TRY FIXING IT AND MAKE DADS ACCOUNTABLE.
Do you let the dad see the kids. Why don’t you give him dad won’t step up if the court systems keep having implicit bias for mother. Dads need 50/50 parenting time and more invovolement with the kids instead of just a paycheck for the mom.
I respectfully have to disagree. Equating money for a health crisis to struggling single motherhood is just a false Equivalency. They have nothing to do with each other. Secondly, this notion that dads aren’t accountable is also miss leading. Child support already exist to help make them accountable. Also black men in particular spend more time with there kids than any other race. I agree that some men do need to step up and become better fathers but that is true for a lot of mothers as well. It sounded like you were upset personally but I just wanted to let the record show that most fathers do they part