2022 -- H 7272

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LC003899

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - CURRICULUM

     Introduced By: Representatives Fenton-Fung, Barros, Vella-Wilkinson, Shallcross
Smith, Casimiro, Azzinaro, Kennedy, and Tobon

     Date Introduced: February 02, 2022

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-22 of the General Laws entitled "Curriculum [See Title 16

Chapter 97 - the Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding thereto the

following section:

     16-22-36. Asian American history study.

     (a) Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, every public elementary school and high

school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Asian American

history, including the history of Asian Americans in Rhode Island and the Northeast, as well as the

contributions of Asian Americans toward advancing civil rights from the 19th century onward.

These events shall include the contributions made by individual Asian Americans in government

and the arts, humanities, and sciences, as well as the contributions of Asian American communities

to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of the United States. The studying of

this material shall constitute an affirmation by students of their commitment to respect the dignity

of all races and peoples and to forever eschew every form of discrimination in their lives and

careers.

     (b) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education may prepare and make

available to all school districts instructional materials, including those established by the Public

Broadcasting Service, that may be used as guidelines for development of a unit of instruction under

this section. Provided, however, each school district shall itself determine the minimum amount of

instructional time that qualifies as a unit of instruction satisfying the requirements of this section.

     (c) The commissioner shall monitor a school district's compliance with this section's

curricular requirements.

     (d) A school may meet the requirements of this section through an online program or

course.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - CURRICULUM

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     This act would require all public elementary and secondary schools in Rhode Island to

provide at least one unit of instruction on Asian American History and culture.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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