Michigan House approves package to expand teacher training on dyslexia and the 'science of reading'

The Michigan House on Thursday passed a suite of school-code amendments intended to expand teacher training for students with dyslexia and to require the "science of reading" in teacher-preparation programs.

Representative Shrivever, speaking in support of House Bill 5081, said her experience in special education and as an autism clinician showed how difficult it can be for families to find appropriate literacy support. "No child should miss out on the chance to succeed simply because the right support was not available," she said, urging members to vote yes.

Sponsor Representative Schmaltz described HB 5081 as a practical step to ensure every district has at least one teacher trained in the Orton Gillingham approach, saying the training starts with 30 hours and requires 10 hours of annual updates. "That's the gold standard for teaching dyslexia," Schmaltz said. The bill passed on final passage, 66 yeas to 40 nays.

Separately, House Bill 5646 — which Representative Kelly described as a mandate that no individual receive a teaching certificate unless their preparation program explicitly includes the science of reading beginning Sept. 30, 2027 — passed 104 yeas to 2 nays. Kelly framed the measure as accountability for teacher-preparation programs and as a fiscal step to reduce later remedial costs, saying Michigan ranks low on national reading metrics and needs systemic change.

Representative Boore, a former high-school English teacher, said budget and implementation bills accompanying the policy would provide funding across multiple years to allow K–5 teachers to receive the training needed to implement the science of reading. Several other related bills on the calendar (including HB 5697, HB 5957 and HB 6016) were advanced and passed with large majorities; sponsors and leaders moved for immediate effect on many of the enactments.

Supporters said the package will standardize training on structured literacy and help teachers identify and intervene for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Opponents expressed concerns (as reflected in the recorded nays on HB 5081 and the small minority votes against other measures) about implementation details and the pace of mandated changes.

What passed (selected items): HB 5081 (one Orton Gillingham–trained teacher per district) — final passage 66–40; HB 5646 (teacher-preparation programs must include the science of reading, effective Sept. 30, 2027) — 104–2; HB 5697, HB 5957, HB 6016 — advanced and passed with recorded majorities and several ordered for immediate effect.

Next steps: Several bills were ordered to take immediate effect; administrative implementation (training schedules, funding disbursement and curriculum alignment) will rest with the Department of Education and with institutions that operate teacher-preparation programs.

Ending: The House advanced the literacy agenda amid mixed but largely bipartisan support and moved other items on the calendar before adjourning.