LANSING, MI (AP)-- The Michigan Senate wants teachers to instruct students about core principles from the U.S. constitution, Declaration of Independence and the state Constitution.
Two bills encouraging teachers to dig into the founding documents were approved Thursday by the Republican-controlled Senate.
Lawmakers clashed over whether the bills would encourage teaching of entire documents or just specific sections. Sen. Patrick Colbeck, a Republican from Canton Township, says instruction wouldn't be limited to core principles listed in the legislation.
Sen. David Knezek, a Democrat from Dearborn Heights, offered an amendment that would have removed lists of core principles, but it failed by two votes.
Under the legislation, state tests for social studies would have questions about the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence starting in the 2015-16 school year.