State Rep. Pamela Hornberger, chair of the House Education Committee, today voted to advance a plan to prohibit Michigan public school curriculum from including any form of race or gender stereotyping.

Race or gender stereotyping is defined in the legislation as a set of statements, beliefs or ideas that imply that all individuals of one race, ethnicity or gender hold a collective quality or belief, act in certain ways, hold certain opinions or are born racist or sexist based on their race or gender.

Hornberger, a former public school teacher, said the legislation will ensure Michigan students are taught that the action of one individual does not serve as an indictment against all people who share that individual’s race or gender.

“We must do all we can to ensure our young people are taught early on that character, work ethic and skills are a predictor of an individual’s outcome, not their race or gender,” said Hornberger, of Chesterfield Township.

House Bill 5097 was approved by the committee and advanced to the House floor for further consideration.