State Rep. Ann Bollin, R-Brighton Township, this week voted to restore legislative oversight and greater public accountability to major changes in Michigan’s academic standards. The plan ensures that sweeping or controversial revisions requested by the state’s top education body cannot take effect without review and approval from elected lawmakers.

“Parents deserve a voice in what their children are being taught,” Bollin said. “When controversial changes to academic standards are pushed through without broad public support or legislative oversight, it erodes trust in our education system. This reform restores an important layer of accountability and ensures that sweeping revisions cannot take effect without elected lawmakers weighing in.”

The vote comes after actions taken by the Michigan State Board of Education in November 2025, when the board approved revised Health Education Standards in a 6-2 vote despite significant concerns raised by parents and families across the state. The updated framework included expanded references to sexual orientation and gender identity, prompting widespread questions about transparency, parental rights, and compliance with existing state and federal law.

When the proposed Health Education Standards Framework was first introduced, parents immediately raised concerns about questionable content being incorporated into required coursework without clear notice or accountability.

The legislation, House Bill 5364, would require legislative approval before the State Board of Education can implement revisions to statewide academic standards.

Bollin has long argued that deeper structural reform is needed. Early last year, she introduced House Joint Resolution G, a proposal to eliminate the State Board of Education and restructure oversight of the Michigan Department of Education.

Under her plan, the head of the Michigan Department of Education would be appointed by the governor, subject to the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate, the same process used for other state department directors. Bollin says this would create clear lines of accountability and ensure voters know exactly who is responsible for the direction of Michigan’s education system.

“For too long, the State Board of Education has operated as a partisan political body instead of focusing on improving student achievement,” Bollin said. “Despite record education spending, our students continue to fall behind. We need leadership that prioritizes reading, math, science, and real academic success, not ideological agendas.”

If approved by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, House Joint Resolution G would place the question of eliminating the State Board of Education before voters for final approval.