2007 House Bill 4902 / 2008 Public Act 312

Mandate African history course components

Introduced in the House

June 12, 2007

Introduced by Rep. Mike Nofs (R-62)

To require that if a school district teaches African history in middle school or high school, the course content must be focused on one or more of the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, Songhay, Benin, Bornu, Nubia, Axum, Meroe, Medieval Ethiopia, or the Swahili Coast.

Referred to the Committee on Education

Feb. 26, 2008

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Feb. 28, 2008

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that encourages rather than requires the proposed curriculum content.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 106 to 0 (details)

To encourage school districts that teach African history in middle school or high school, the course content must be focused on one or more of the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, Songhay, Benin, Bornu, Nubia, Axum, Meroe, Medieval Ethiopia, or the Swahili Coast.

Received in the Senate

March 4, 2008

Referred to the Committee on Education

Dec. 3, 2008

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Dec. 4, 2008

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To encourage school districts that teach African history in middle school or high school, the course content must be focused on one or more of the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, Songhay, Benin, Bornu, Nubia, Axum, Meroe, Medieval Ethiopia, or the Swahili Coast.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Dec. 17, 2008