MI SB0209

School districts and public school academies are encouraged to provide instruction on core principles of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Michigan Constitution in grades K-12 in an age-appropriate manner.

The Declaration of Independence instruction must include principles such as unalienable rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness) and that government derives power from consent of the governed.

The U.S. Constitution instruction must cover separation of powers (legislative, executive, judicial branches), federalism, amendment procedures, and First Amendment and Second Amendment protections.

By May 1, 2016, the state board must update academic curriculum content standards to ensure they cover the historical instruction described in the bill for all grade levels with state social studies assessments.

Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, state social studies assessments must include questions related to the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution to measure student knowledge of these documents.