State Rep. David W. Martin (R-Davison) is leading the charge on common sense improvements to education. Last week, House Republicans submitted an extensive bill package aimed at creating more pathways to success for Michigan students and providing better resources to educators. One of the bills, House Bill 4151, is sponsored by Martin. The package heavily emphasizes expanding curriculums, granting more freedom to school districts, and cutting red tape and state fees for educators.

“We as legislators always need to make children the priority when it comes to education,” Martin said. “We put our children first when we give parents and educators the tools and resources, they need to be successful.”

Martin’s bill in particular is aimed at streamlining the process for teachers to receive additional subject endorsements. This will ensure schools have the ability to quickly fill teacher vacancies while ensuring those teachers are qualified in the subject they’ll be teaching. Other parts of the plan also eliminate fees for teaching certificate applications, renewals, and endorsements, making it easier for teachers to stay in the profession.

“Our teachers provide our kids and our communities a public service,” Martin said. “They shouldn’t be piled on with fees, paperwork, and extra licensing steps. We should be empowering them to do the best they can and making it easy as possible for them to do it.”

The package also aims to expand vocational school and technical programs. Last month, Martin brought increased awareness to career and technical education by leading the Michigan House in adopting a resolution to declare February as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in Michigan.

“Career and technical education is an essential pathway to success for many students, offering hands-on training that leads to rewarding careers,” Martin said. “Vocational skills, a strong work ethic, and thriving skilled trade industries form the backbone of Genesee County and many other communities across our state.”

The bills also focus on reducing test anxiety, fixing issues with teacher-student ratios, and making curriculum recommendations to help teachers provide the best education possible to their students.

“Michigan sits in the bottom ten states for education in the country,” Martin said. “It’s time we passed some common-sense legislation that will put our students first. They’re depending on us for their future success.”

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