ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

Senate: ED DP 4-3-0-0 | 3rd Read 17-12-1-0

SB 1301: Asian American history; instruction requirements

Sponsor: Senator Kavanagh, LD 3

Committee on Education

Overview

Directs the State Board of Education (SBE) to require, beginning in the 2028-2029 school year, instruction about the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

History

SBE must prescribe minimum course of study requirements that incorporate the academic standards to be taught in common schools and that are required for the graduation of students from high school. Additionally, SBE is required to prescribe competency requirements in at least the areas of reading, writing, math, science and social studies for the promotion of students from the 3rd and 8th grades and for the graduation of students from high school (A.R.S. §§ 15-701 and 15-701.01).

The 3rd grade Arizona studies history standard includes topics on the development of civilizations, societies, cultures and innovations that have influenced history and continue to impact the modern world. Key concepts include the impact of Asian Americans on art, language, architecture, mining, agriculture and innovations (Arizona History and Social Science Standards).

Provisions

1. Instructs SBE, beginning in the 2028-2029 school year and in adopting course of study and competency requirements for common schools and high schools, to require instruction about the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires a school district or charter school, when developing or planning the required instruction, to consider:

a) the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in Arizona, the region around Arizona and the U.S.; and

b) contributions by Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities and individuals to the:

i. advancement of civil rights from the 19th century to today;

ii. arts, humanities, science and government; and

iii. economic, cultural, social and political development of the U.S. (Sec. 1)

3. Directs the Arizona Department of Education, by June 14, 2029 and annually thereafter, to require school districts and charter schools to attest that the required instruction is planned, ongoing and systematic. (Sec. 1)

4. Details Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders includes Americans of East, Southeast and South Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent. (Sec. 1)

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8. SB 1301

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