The Michigan Department of Education is offering additional public input sessions over controversial changes to social studies standards in public schools.
The changes made headlines when state Senator and gubernatorial candidate Patrick Colbeck proposed revising the standards to include removing references to climate change, lesbians, gays, and the term ‘core democratic values’.
Bill DiSessa is a spokesperson with the Michigan Department of Education. He said it’s apparent that Michiganders are paying attention to the standards.
“We certainly appreciate all the interest and input we’ve had from the public. As state Interim Superintendent Sheila Alles has indicated, the interest in the proposed standards was so great that the department decided to extend the public comment period and add the six additional input sessions around the state.”
The six meetings will be held in various locations around the state through August and September from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.:
August 8 in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Central High School Auditorium, 2432 North Drake Road
August 9 in Ann Arbor
Washtenaw ISD, 31819 South Wagner Road
September 13 in Detroit
King High School, 3200 E. Lafayette Drive
September 18 in Marquette
Marquette-Alger RESA, 231 Ohio Street
September 19 in Gaylord
University Center of Gaylord, 80 Livingston Boulevard
September 20 in Mount Pleasant
Bovee University Center (of Central Michigan University), 103 East Preston Street