FREE ENTERPRISE AND

ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSE

House Bill 4826 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Tommy Brann

Committee:  Education

Complete to 10-7-19

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4826 would amend the Revised School Code to require that school districts and public school academies (PSAs, or charter schools) include a program of instruction in free enterprise and entrepreneurship in their 8th grade curriculum beginning in the 2019-2020 school year.

Under the bill, by June 1, 2019, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) would have to develop or adopt one or more model programs in that subject area. The program(s) would have to be project-based and include instruction on at least all of the following:

·         Business vocabulary, including entrepreneurship, free enterprise, business finance, goods and services, and innovation.

·         Entrepreneurs from this state and around the world.

·         Action activities, including setting short- and long-term goals. 

·         Business basics, including taxes for businesses and corporations, essential skills for business owners, and product- and service-based business ideas.

·         Creating a student project-based business plan.

The program known as “Michigan’s Entrepreneurial Spirit” would have to be included among the model programs offered by MDE.

Additionally, the bill would require the State Board of Education to ensure that the recommended core academic curriculum content standards for 8th grade social studies include a program of instruction in free enterprise and entrepreneurship.

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

MCL 380.1278 and proposed MCL 380.1166b

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4826 would increase costs for MDE and could increase costs for school districts and PSAs. 

MDE would incur a cost increase to develop or adopt and make available one or more model programs of instruction in free enterprise and entrepreneurship, and additionally to include the model of instruction chosen into the core academic curriculum content standards. 

Districts and PSAs could incur costs to the extent that they would need to revise their curriculum to meet the requirements of the bill.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                               Fiscal Analysts:   Samuel Christensen

                                                                                                                           Jacqueline Mullen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.