New MI Laws Make Changes To Teacher Evaluations, Other New MI Laws

MICHIGAN — Two new Michigan laws to determine how public school teachers are evaluated went into effect Monday.

Senate Bills 395 and 396 will reduce the effectiveness of student standardized tests' on a teacher's evaluation.

Under the new law, districts cannot base a teacher's performance by using more than 20 percent of its evaluation on students' performance in standardized tests. Previously, 40 percent of teacher's evaluations were based on students' performance on standardized tests.

Supporters of the bills say the changes will help eliminate unfair evaluation standards that didn't actually promote student growth, while opponents argue the changes will make it harder for poorly performing teachers to be removed from their position.

The bills were sponsored by state Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia. The Michigan Education Association, Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals and Michigan Association of School Boards supported the bills.

Other laws that went into effect across Michigan earlier this year includes:

More Gun Control

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three significant gun control packages in 2024, including new safe storage laws, stronger background checks and "Red-Flag" laws.

With the new Safety storage laws, a gun owner must lock their weapon away if there is a minor in the house. The stronger background checks will require a background check for anyone buying a firearm, either through a private sale or at a gun show, regardless of how they are buying it.
The so called "Red-Flag" laws allow certain people, such as family members, law enforcement and health providers to ask a court to temporarily take guns away from people they believe can injure themselves or other people.

No More Right-To-Work

Republicans made Michigan a "right-to-work" state over a decade ago, allowing workers in unionized workplaces to opt out of paying union dues and fees. Michigan became the first state in 58 years to repeal a "right-to-work" law.

Democrats argued that the law allowed for "free riders" that received union representation without having to pay fees or dues. With the law scrapped, unions can require all workers in a unionized workplace to pay fees for the cost of representation in bargaining.

Michigan's Drive Toward Clean Energy

In November, Whitmer signed legislation that aims to make Michigan 100 percent clean energy by 2040. The act empowers the Michigan Public Service Commission to plan large-scale solar power projects. Currently, only 12 percent of Michigan's energy is from renewable sources - mostly from wind.

Michigan Teens Can Pre-Register To Vote

The new law allows 16-year-old high school students in Michigan to pre-register to vote. The new law was passed after Michigan led the nation in youth voter turnout in the 2022 elections.

"This new law helps us prepare the next generation of voters to inherit their democracy, bolstering our state’s commitment to engaging young people, educating them about the democratic process, and getting them ready to cast a ballot once they turn 18," Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said.

Prevailing Wage Act Is Back

The new law restores a prevailing wage act, which Republicans repealed in 2018. The new act requires contractors hired for state projects to pay union-level wages. Opponents of prevailing wage generally argue it artificially raises the cost of state construction jobs.

No More Third-Grade Reading Law

Michigan passed the third-grade reading law in 2016 when less than half of Michigan third-graders got a passing score on the reading portion of M-Step. The law required schools to identify students who were struggling with reading and writing. They were then held behind for a year if they are more than one grade level behind.

With that bill expiring in 2024, Whitmer signed a bill that allows schools to inform parents about intervention options if their child receives a low score, instead of holding the students back for a year.

LGBTQ+ Protections

Whitmer expanded the Elliott-Larsen Act to protect the rights of those within the LGBTQ+ community relating to employment, housing, education, and access to accommodations.