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HOUSE 703118th CongressReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Supporting the designation of September 2023 as "National Voting Rights Month".

Last Action
9/19/2023

Actions

  • 2023-02-01Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
  • 2023-02-01Introduced in House
  • 2023-02-01Introduced in House

CRS Summary

As of 2023-02-01 (00)

Black History is American History Act

This bill requires entities (e.g., institutions of higher education, libraries, and museums), in order to be eligible for certain grants administered by the Department of Education (ED), to include Black history in their teaching of American history. It also requires Black history to be included in tests administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

Specifically, the bill mandates the inclusion of Black history as a required component of American history for such entities to be eligible for American History and Civics Academies' competitive grants. These grants support the establishment of (1) Presidential Academies for Teachers of American History and Civics, which offer workshops to teachers of American history and civics to strengthen their knowledge and prepare them to teach in these subjects; and (2) Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics, which support high school students in developing an understanding of these subjects. (Currently, Black history is not a required component of American history for either academy.)

In addition, ED must give priority to grant applicants that align their activities with programs and resources of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The bill also requires the inclusion of Black history in tests administered by the NAEP, which measures student academic achievement in various subjects.

Cosponsors (20)

  • Nikema Williams (D-GA)
  • Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)
  • Robin Kelly (D-IL)
  • Stacey Plaskett (D-VI)
  • Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO)
  • Shontel Brown (D-OH)
  • Gregorio Sablan (D-MP)
  • Lois Frankel (D-FL)
  • JERROLD NADLER (D-NY)
  • Jake Auchincloss (D-MA)
  • Terri Sewell (D-AL)
  • ELEANOR NORTON (D-DC)
  • Jamaal Bowman (D-NY)
  • Henry Johnson (D-GA)
  • Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ)
  • Glenn Ivey (D-MD)
  • Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
  • KWEISI MFUME (D-MD)
  • Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA)
  • Stephen Lynch (D-MA)

Subjects

  • Academic performance and assessments
  • Civics education
  • Education programs funding
  • Elementary and secondary education
  • Higher education
  • Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
  • Racial and ethnic relations
  • Smithsonian Institution
  • Teaching, teachers, curricula
  • U.S. history
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.