Michigan students could soon be able to earn school credit for learning about Native American languages and cultures, under legislation approved by the State Senate last week.
The bill would make it easier to teach Native American language and culture in schools.
It would allow tribal elders to instruct students on those topics without first becoming certified teachers.
State Senator Mike Prussi sponsored the legislation.
"The tribes have tribal elders who are very fluent in their language and culture, but they don't have conventional teacher certifications," said Prussi.
That means under current law, students can't receive credit for classes taught by non-certified tribal elders.
According to Prusi, his legislation changes current law "to allow (schools) to use the tribal elders, even though they don't have certification, but it allow them to teach Native American language and culture classes."
He said students learning about Native American language and culture woudl receive credit for a foreign or world language under the Michigan Merit Curriculum.
The State Senate passed the bill 34-0. It still must be approved by the House.