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LANSING, Mich. — A state senator has introduced legislation to require public school districts to offer instruction at least 200 days per year, according to a report at MichiganVotes.org, while other education-related bills would affect high school firefighter training and special education.
Senate Bill 1420, introduced on July 21 by Sen. Samuel B. Thomas III, D-Detroit, would increase the minimum instruction time in public schools from 1098 hours per year to 200 days per year, MichiganVotes reported. The bill was referred to the Senate Education Committee.
In other legislative news, the state Senate passed a bill that would add various provisions to the current law allowing fire departments to provide for-credit classes in high school that qualify students as volunteer firefighters. Among other things, Senate Bill 1077 would waive the certified teacher mandate for such courses. The bill passed in a 33-0 vote and was sent to the House Education Committee.
Senate Bill 1421 would require a school psychologist to participate in drawing up the "educational development plan" of each special education student. That bill was introduced on July 21 by Sen. Nancy Cassis, R-Novi and was referred to the Senate Education Committee.
SOURCE:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Michigan Votes, 2010
www.michiganvotes.org/2010-SB-1420
www.michiganvotes.org/2010-SB-1077
www.michiganvotes.org/2010-SB-1421
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Assumptions and
Realities: Longer School Year Will Not Improve Student Achievement," Oct. 12,
2009
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