LANSING, Mich. — State Representative Gina Johnsen (R-Portland) announced the introduction of the Education Accountability and Parental Rights Act, a legislative package aimed at increasing transparency in education policy and reinforcing parental rights in Michigan public schools.

The legislation follows recent changes to statewide health and academic standards that were adopted through administrative action and generated significant concern among parents and communities across Michigan.

Legislation sponsored by Johnsen would require legislative approval before any revisions to the State Board of Education’s recommended model core academic curriculum content standards may be implemented or enforced. Under the proposal, revisions could not take effect unless approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Existing standards would remain in place unless and until revised standards are approved by the Legislature.

The package also includes legislation sponsored by Representative Jamie Thompson to expand parental notice and opt-out protections when classroom instruction includes sensitive subject matter. In addition to existing requirements for instruction involving family planning or reproductive health, the bill adds gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation as topics that require advance notice, an opportunity to review instructional materials, and the ability for parents to excuse their child without academic penalty.

“These bills respond directly to what parents have been telling us,” said Johnsen. “Major changes to education standards should not happen without legislative oversight, and parents should never be kept in the dark about what their children are being taught.”

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