AFRICAN HISTORY IN SCHOOL

House Bill 4886 

Sponsor:  Rep. Brenda Clack 

House Bill 4902

Sponsor:  Rep. Mike Nofs

Committee:  Education

Complete to 2-22-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4886 AS INTRODUCED ON 6-7-07 AND HOUSE BILL 4902 AS INTRODUCED ON 6-12-07

The bills would set curricular content guidelines for elementary school courses in African history, and for middle or high school courses in world history.

House Bill 4886 would amend the Revised School Code (MCL 380.1164) to specify that if a school district or charter school taught African history in an elementary grade, then the board would be required to ensure that the content of the instruction was focused on one or more of the following kingdoms:  Ghana, Mali, Songhay, Benin, Bornu, Nubia, Axum, Meroe, Medieval Ethiopia, or the Swahili Coast.

House Bill 4902 would amend the Revised School Code (MCL 380. 1164b) to specify that if a school district or charter school taught world history in a middle or high school grade, then the board would be required to ensure that the content of the instruction was focused on at least one or more of the following kingdoms:  Ghana, Mali, Songhay, Benin, Bornu, Nubia, Axum, Meroe, Monomotapa, or Medieval Ethiopia.  The instruction could also focus on the Swahili Coast prior to 1750.  The bill specifies that this section would not prohibit or limit teaching about other areas of African history.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill could increase local school districts' costs for professional development, books, and materials to add the required content to their current curricula. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Mary Ann Cleary

                                                                                                                           Bethany Wicksall

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.