April 16, 2021 - Introduced by Representatives L. Myers, Brostoff, McGuire,
Hebl, Haywood, Hong, Hesselbein, Cabrera, Neubauer, Andraca, Shelton,
Baldeh, Emerson, Ortiz-Velez, Hintz, Vruwink, Snodgrass, Anderson,
Spreitzer, Subeck, Conley, Pope, Sinicki, Bowen, Goyke, Milroy, Drake,
Vining, S. Rodriguez, Riemer and Shankland, cosponsored by Senators L.
Taylor, Wirch, Johnson, Roys, Agard, Smith, Larson, Bewley, Carpenter
and Pfaff. Referred to Committee on Education.

AB273,1,5 1An Act to renumber and amend 118.19 (8); to amend 115.28 (55) (title); and
2to create 115.28 (55m), 118.165 (3), 118.19 (8) (b), 118.40 (2r) (d) 3., 118.40 (2x)
3(d) 3. and 121.02 (1) (L) 4m. of the statutes; relating to: required instruction
4in African American history in the elementary and high school grades and
5making an appropriation.

This bill requires the state superintendent of public instruction, in
collaboration with certain organizations specified in the bill, to develop a model
curriculum for all grades, from kindergarten to 12, on African American history that
does all of the following:

1. Includes developmentally appropriate instruction in the history of African
Americans in the United States in general, and in this state in particular, and
incorporates that history into the broader context of national and state history.

2. Includes instruction in the experiences of African Americans in, and the
contributions of African Americans to, the origins and development of the United
States and this state.

3. Includes instruction in the anthropological migration of people into this
state.

4. Includes tools to help pupils analyze history as a means to understand
current events and envision a positive multicultural society.

5. Specifies the essential knowledge and associated performance standards
regarding African American history that are incorporated into the social studies
curriculum in each grade.

The bill also requires the state superintendent to incorporate African American
history instruction that is consistent with the model curriculum into the model
academic standards for social studies. Public schools, independent charter schools,
and private schools must include in their social studies curriculum for every grade,
from kindergarten to 12, instruction in African American history that is consistent
with the model curriculum. Under the bill, DPI must employ three education
consultants to assist schools with updating curriculum and providing African
American history instruction.

Finally, under the bill, the state superintendent may not grant a teaching
license unless the applicant has received instruction in African American history
that is consistent with the model curriculum.