New Bill Mandates Black History as Core Part of American History Curriculum, Starting Now

The "Black History is American History Act" makes a straightforward but significant change to how American history is taught across the country. Instead of treating Black history as a separate topic, this bill makes it a required part of the regular American history curriculum in elementary and secondary schools. This shift aims to present a more complete picture of the nation's past, acknowledging the roles and contributions of African Americans from the very beginning.

Reframing History in Schools

This bill directly amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, meaning Black history will now be included in:

• Standard American History Programs: Black history will be woven into the main curriculum. (SEC. 3)
• Specialized Academies: Both Presidential and Congressional academies focusing on American History and Civics must include Black history. (SEC. 3)
• National Educational Assessments: The National Assessment of Educational Progress will test on Black history, ensuring it's taught effectively. (SEC. 3)

For a student, this might mean learning about the West African empires of A.D. 790, as stated in the bill's findings (SEC. 2), alongside the usual lessons on European colonization. Or, when studying the Civil Rights Movement, they'd delve deeper into figures beyond the most well-known names, exploring the broader community efforts and the ongoing fight against discrimination that continues today. For a tradesperson, like a carpenter or electrician, this updated education provides a broader understanding of the society they work within, potentially enriching their civic participation and interactions with a diverse population.

Resources and Real-World Rollout

One of the key parts of this bill is how it taps into the resources of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. (SEC. 3) Think of it like this: the museum becomes a go-to resource hub, offering materials and support to help teachers bring this history to life in their classrooms. This could mean anything from lesson plans to online exhibits to virtual field trips. The bill's findings highlight a 2015 study where teachers emphasized Black history's crucial role in understanding U.S. history (SEC. 2), and this resource provision aims to address that need directly.

Potential Challenges

While the intent is clear, the real test will be in how this plays out in classrooms across different states. The bill doesn't lay out specific curriculum standards, which could lead to variations in what's taught and how deeply it's covered. It is not a perfect solution, but it is a concrete step toward a more complete teaching of American history.