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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
Asian American history; instruction requirements
Purpose
Requires the State Board of Education (SBE), beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, to require instruction about Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander history in common and high schools.
Background
The SBE must
prescribe a minimum course of study, academic standards and competency
requirements for common schools and high schools. A school district governing
board must:
1) prescribe curricula according to the SBE-prescribed minimum course of study
and standards; and 2) approve courses of study, units recommended for credit
and instructional materials. High school social studies competency
requirements must include: 1) receiving a specified score on a test that is
identical to the civics portion of the U.S. naturalization test; 2) a requirement that students be taught about
the Holocaust and other genocides; and 3) the completion of at least a
half-credit course in economics that includes financial literacy and
management. (A.R.S. §§
15-701;
15-701.01;
15-701.02;
15-721;
and 15-722).
The Arizona Department of Education's (ADE's) website provides optional instructional resources for local education agencies by grade level on certain topics, including Asian-American Pacific Islander history (ADE).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Directs the SBE, in adopting course of study and competency requirements for common schools and high schools, to require instruction about Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander history, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.
2. Directs a school district or charter school to consider, when developing or planning the required instruction:
a) the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in Arizona and the United States;
b) contributions by Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities and individuals related to the advancement of civil rights from the 19th century to the present day;
c) contributions by Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals in the arts, humanities, science and government; and
d) contributions by Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities and individuals to the economic, cultural, social and political development of the United States.
3. Directs ADE, by June 14, 2028, and each year thereafter, to annually require school districts and charter schools to attest that the required instruction is planned, ongoing and systematic.
4. Specifies that Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander includes Americans of East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendment Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Determines the SBE must require instruction about Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander history beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.
2. Replaces the requirement for the SBE to include specified content relating to the history of and contributions by Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the required instruction with a requirement for school districts or charter schools to consider the specified content when developing or planning the required instruction.
3. Delays, from June 14, 2025, to June 14, 2028, the date by which the ADE must begin to annually require school districts and charter schools to attest that the required instruction is planned, ongoing and systematic.
4. Makes conforming changes.
Senate Action
ED 2/7/24 DP 7-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 14, 2024
MH/LB/slp