A bipartisan vote in the Michigan House has advanced a bill sponsored by state Rep. Rylee Linting that aims to improve the state’s academic standards and student outcomes. House Bill 4159, part of a larger education reform package, updates Michigan’s core academic curriculum requirements for reading and writing.
Linting’s legislation focuses on strengthening the standards for reading and writing in grades K-6. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, public schools will be required to align their curriculum with the science of reading. The goal is to help local districts build effective instruction and support long-term student success.
“This plan gives our kids the tools they need to succeed in school, and it gives parents the transparency and accountability they deserve,” said Linting, a Republican from Grosse Ile. “Right now, Michigan’s performance in education is unacceptable.”
According to U.S. News and World Report, Michigan ranks 41st in overall education. The state is 43rd in high school graduation rates and 44th in SAT scores. Linting also pointed to findings from the governor’s own population commission, which revealed that 70% of Michigan students are not proficient in reading or math.
“We need to bring back phonics-based reading instruction to help students learn to read the right way,” Linting said. “We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Michigan families deserve better.”
Linting’s bill is part of a broader package—House Bills 4156 through 4159—that also includes changes to how schools assess student learning. One major proposal allows schools to use shorter, interim assessments during the school year. These would replace a single, high-pressure standardized test like the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP), whose results often arrive after the school year ends.
“By the time schools receive M-STEP scores, it’s too late to intervene,” Linting said. “Teachers can’t use the results to help struggling students, and students miss the chance to catch up. With interim assessments, we can act faster and make smarter decisions.”
The full package of reforms now heads to the Michigan Senate for further review.
