Only the controversial mandatory schools of choice (Senate Bill 624) and conversion schools (SB 620) bills remain unaddressed as the Senate took action Thursday on six more pieces of the Republican Caucus’ reform package.
Five of the measures, SB 621, SB 622, SB 623, SB 709, SB 710, passed 26-12. SB 621, sponsored by Senator Goeff Hansen (R-Hart) provides further opportunities for home-schooled and private school students to take classes in public schools. The other four would allow high school underclassmen to take college courses, as juniors and seniors are currently allowed to, as well as eliminate the course prerequisites and testing requirements often in place.
The vote on Senate Bill 619 was much closer, passing 20-18. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) would eliminate the state’s limit on online schools, currently set at two. Republican Senators Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), Bruce Caswell (R-Hillsdale), Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw), Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek), and Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights