HB 5659 Summary

• Eliminates mandatory state accreditation of schools under section 1280 and allows third-party private accreditors to assess schools instead.

• Requires school districts to prepare and distribute annual educational reports including accreditation status, school improvement plans, student achievement data, and curriculum information.

• Establishes the Michigan merit standard requiring high school students to complete specific credit requirements in English language arts (4 credits), science (3 credits), mathematics (4 credits), social science (3 credits), health/physical education (1 credit), and arts (1 credit), among others.

• Allows for personal curricula modifications when requested by parents or teachers after grade 9, with modifications requiring superintendent approval and parental agreement, subject to specific restrictions on which subjects can be modified.

• Requires posting of school adequate yearly progress status under the No Child Left Behind Act on district websites within 20 days of notification and removes previous accreditation posting requirements.