Expressing support for the designation of October 2025 as "Crime Prevention Month".
- Last Action
- 10/31/2025
Actions
- 2025-01-31Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-01-31Introduced in House
- 2025-01-31Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2025-01-31 (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)
- Alma Adams (D-NC)
- Nanette Barragán (D-CA)
- Sanford Bishop (D-GA)
- Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
- Shontel Brown (D-OH)
- André Carson (D-IN)
- Troy Carter (D-LA)
- Kathy Castor (D-FL)
- Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)
- Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
- Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO)
- James Clyburn (D-SC)
- Danny Davis (D-IL)
- Donald Davis (D-NC)
- Diana DeGette (D-CO)
- Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA)
- Debbie Dingell (D-MI)
- Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
- Dwight Evans (D-PA)
- Valerie Foushee (D-NC)
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
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.