Special Education Orton-Gillingham Teacher Requirement

Current understanding

Michigan HB5081 (passed chamber) would amend the Revised School Code (1976 PA 451) by adding Sec. 1253 to require each school district to employ at least one teacher trained in Orton-Gillingham approach principles, a structured multisensory method commonly used for dyslexia and literacy instruction in special education. The mandate targets district-level staffing rather than curriculum, ensuring at least one qualified practitioner per district is available for literacy intervention.

Evidence log

• 2026-05-12 — Education: special education; Michigan special education accountability act; establish. Amends secs. 1310d, 1311, 1526, 1527, 1531 & 1711 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1310d et seq.) & adds secs. 1531k, 1537, 1712 & 1810.: cross-connection with special-education-accountability-act: Both address special education teacher preparation standards within the Revised School Code; the Accountability Act’s teacher preparation provisions may intersect with existing Orton-Gillingham requirements. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-06-10 — Education: curriculum; science of reading requirements; modify. Amends sec. 1280f of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1280f).: cross-connection with science-of-reading-curriculum: Both target evidence-based literacy instruction in Michigan schools — Sec. 1280f sets general science-of-reading curriculum standards while the Orton-Gillingham requirement mandates a specific structured-literacy approach for special education. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-06-18 — Education: special education; at least 1 teacher trained in Orton-Gillingham approach principles; require each school district to employ. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1253.: cross-connection with k5-teacher-training-requirements: Both bills legislate specific teacher training content — HB5697 mandates K-5 in-service training topics broadly, while HB5081 requires each district to have at least one Orton-Gillingham-trained teacher for special education literacy. (novelty: 2)

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