Michigan House Bill HB5820

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/16/26
• Refer: 4/16/26
• Report Pass: 5/20/26

Caption

Education: curriculum; science of reading requirements; modify. Amends sec. 1531e of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1531e).

Impact

The proposed legislation will establish new requirements that teacher preparation programs must meet to ensure that teachers are adequately equipped to support students with dyslexia. This includes implementing evidence-based instructional methods and features of interventions grounded in the science of reading and principles of structured literacy. Programs will also be evaluated on how well they address the needs of students through a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS), which is aimed at providing different levels of intervention based on individual student requirements.

Summary

House Bill 5820 seeks to amend the revised school code in Michigan to enhance the training of future educators in the context of dyslexia and its management. It mandates that, starting September 30, 2027, teacher preparation programs must provide instruction on various aspects of dyslexia, including its characteristics and the underlying factors that contribute to learning difficulties in decoding written text. Additionally, the bill aims to educate future teachers about the consequences of dyslexia, which can greatly affect students' reading comprehension and overall academic performance.

Contention

While the bill's intent is to improve educational outcomes for students with dyslexia, it may generate debate regarding its implications for existing teacher preparation programs. Opponents might argue that the additional requirements could create challenges for program accreditation and lead to decreased flexibility in how teacher education is delivered. Furthermore, some may express concerns about the feasibility of fully implementing these requirements within the specified timeframe and the potential need for additional funding to support training and curriculum development.