Black History is American History Act
The Black History is American History Act would authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities to run educational programs that treat Black history as an integral part of American history. The programs would cover the history of African descent in the founding of the United States, slavery and its abolition, civil rights, and the ongoing contributions of Black Americans to U.S. life, politics, culture, the economy, and law. The bill would also amend several provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to explicitly require Black history to be included in American history content in national curricula, academies for American history and civics, national activities, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The aim is to ensure Black history is taught as a core part of American history nationwide and to tie federal grants and resources to that objective, including collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Key Points
- 1Creates a new short title: the “Black History is American History Act.”
- 2Authorizes federal grants to eligible entities to implement educational programs that include Black history as part of American history, covering the historical role and impact of African descent in the founding and development of the United States.
- 3Amends ESEA sections (2231, 2232, 2233) to require Black history to be included in American history content across national curricula, academies for American history and civics, and related activities and resources for educators and students.
- 4Expands references to include Black history in teacher training, curriculum development, and program resources, including collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- 5Updates NAEP and related national assessment language to specify inclusion of Black history as part of history education.