NY State Senate Bill S5454A

Archive: Last Bill Status - Passed Senate

Introduced
In Committee
On Floor Calendar
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
Delivered to Governor
Signed/Vetoed by Governor

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Actions

view actions (18)

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 04, 2018	referred to education delivered to assembly passed senate
Mar 14, 2018	amended on third reading (t) 5454b
Mar 13, 2018	advanced to third reading
Mar 12, 2018	2nd report cal.
Mar 06, 2018	1st report cal.578
Jan 03, 2018	referred to education returned to senate died in assembly
Jun 15, 2017	referred to education delivered to assembly passed senate
Jun 14, 2017	ordered to third reading cal.1726 committee discharged and committed to rules
Jun 05, 2017	print number 5454a
Jun 05, 2017	amend (t) and recommit to education
Mar 29, 2017	referred to education

Votes

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

Original

B (Active)

Co-Sponsors

S5454 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A7192
Current Committee:: Assembly Education
Law Section:: Education
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2019-2020: S1135
2021-2022: S582, S8089
2023-2024: S5078

S5454 - Summary

Relates to establishing the commission on African American history and achievement.

S5454 - Sponsor Memo

 BILL NUMBER:  S5454

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
instruction in black history

 PURPOSE :

Implement black history in course instruction in grades kindergarten
through twelve grade, and to be ensured by the regents.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of the education law is amended by adding a new section
801-b applicable to cities of one million or more people. This new
bill is to instruct black history into K-12 academic curriculum. For
the purposes of this section, black history shall include women's
abolitionist movement, the Harlem renaissance, the buffalo
anti-slavery and civil right movement. Section two; this act shall
take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have
become a law.

 EXISTING LAW :

None

 JUSTIFICATION :

Black history just as any other history of a group of people in a
country or a specific race is important and should go beyond a day, or
a month commemoration. A child in the United Sates both black and
non-black should not have to wait until college before they learn
about the history of black people, who happen to be a profound figure
in the country. Moreover, not every child in the US goes to college
and even if they do, not every one of them studies history, or
sociology where they will get the chance to learn something about
black history, which is an important part of their country hence, the
importance of every child from kindergarten to twelve-grade learning
about black history.

This idea of amending the education law instructing in black history
is necessary, and would help in the sense that; whatever young people
are exposed to from children goes a long way in shaping their mind,
and help them in making concrete decisions as they grow. Teaching
black history in K-12 will help expand young peoples' knowledge on
contributions black people made and still make in getting this country
to where it is now. I believe the black community has come very far
from no voice at all, to making huge contributions, and overcoming
many setbacks, which is worth teaching. It is not enough, to only talk
of these contributions in just a month and more likely forget it
afterwards. Children needs to learn and appreciate these contributions
and achievements just as they learn and appreciate American history or
global history. One may wonder, if black people in United States are
part of the US, then isn't American history enough to teach children
about black history? The US history course taught in high schools does
not delve as much into the history of black people and it may not even
be possible to infuse the majority if not all black history with
American history.Thus, the need to have a component of black history
in the course instruction for K-12 children.

Again, teaching these children black history and culture in school
will provide a good opportunity in exploring the idea of race as
social and political construction. Many students see race as
immutable, a fixed concept that has rarely changed overtime. Many
young people assume that because white historically meant good and
black is bad/evil, Europeans or white people have always been biased
against those of African descend and racism is just an extension of
ancient practices. Teaching young people at an early age about the
actual history of black people can help reduce the many misconceptions
surrounding black and white people and race, and can reduce the
stereotypes young people grow up adhering to. For instance, young
people needs to know that racial classification as a scientific
concept is an 18th -century invention and not just an ancient
everlasting practice which nothing can be done in regards to it.

Moreover, teaching school children on the history of black people will
help many of New York children appreciate black historical events in
New York. For instance, the creation of the center for Abolitionists.
By the year 1835, there were about 600 abolitionists who gathered in
the Bleecker street Baptist church in Utica where the inaugural
meeting of the NYS Anti-Slavery Society was then held. Form this
meeting lead to the now Smithfield community center in Peterboro which
houses the National Abolition Hall of fame and Museum in New York.

Also, the hand-on-history. The King Manor in Jamaica, Queens is a
museum dedicated to preserve home and legacy of Rufus King. Having
these children learn black history will help recall this unspoken
opponents of slavery. Another event worth knowing, which will be a
part of what will be taught should black history be incorporated in
schools is the 1800s meeting the people lead by African American
newspaper editor and a major voice in abolition, Fredrick Douglass a
resident of Rochester. At the flight of freedom exhibit in Rochester
Museum and science center, interactive exhibits reveal his story along
with those of freedom seeking and former enslaved Africans including
Austin Steward, Harriet Jacobs and revered Thomas James.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Minimal to the state

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Unknown but believe to be minimal

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law.

S5454 - Bill Text download pdf


                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  5454

                       2017-2018 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                             March 29, 2017
                               ___________

Introduced  by Sen. HAMILTON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Education

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to instruction  in  black
  history

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section  801-b
to read as follows:
  §  801-B.  INSTRUCTION IN BLACK HISTORY. IN A CITY HAVING A POPULATION
OF ONE MILLION OR MORE PEOPLE THE REGENTS SHALL ENSURE THAT  THE  COURSE
OF  INSTRUCTION  IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELVE INCLUDES A COMPO-
NENT OF BLACK HISTORY. THE REGENTS SHALL DETERMINE  HOW  TO  INCORPORATE
SUCH  COMPONENT IN EXISTING CURRICULA AND THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROMUL-
GATE ANY REGULATIONS NEEDED TO  CARRY  OUT  SUCH  DETERMINATION  OF  THE
REGENTS.  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, BLACK HISTORY SHALL INCLUDE,
BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE WOMEN'S ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT, SHIRLEY  CHISH-
OLM,  DAVID  DINKINS,  THE  HARLEM RENAISSANCE, THE BUFFALO ANTI-SLAVERY
CONFERENCE HELD IN EIGHTEEN FORTY-THREE AND THE  SUFFRAGE  MOVEMENT  FOR
AFRICAN AMERICAN LONG ISLANDERS.
  § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law.




 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD10730-02-7

Co-Sponsors

S5454A - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A7192
Current Committee:: Assembly Education
Law Section:: Education
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2019-2020: S1135
2021-2022: S582, S8089
2023-2024: S5078

S5454A - Summary

Relates to establishing the commission on African American history and achievement.

S5454A - Sponsor Memo

 BILL NUMBER:  S5454A

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act relating to establishing the commission on
African American history and achievement

 PURPOSE :

The commission shall develop and recommend curriculum that
incorporates the achievements made by African Americans as part of New
York's education curriculum including the woman's abolitionist
movement, the Harlem Renaissance, the Buffalo antislavery movement,
the suffrage of African American Long Islanders.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of the education law is amended by establishing a commission
on African American History and Achievement, the commission shall
consist of 13 members including The Commissioner of Education, the
Chancellors of NYC Department of Education, Chancellor of the State
University of New York as well as the Chancellor of the Board of
Regents. The Governor, Speaker of the Assembly and Temporary President
of the Senate shall appoint three members each. The member shall
receive reimbursement for expenses but no salary. The members shall
serve 3-year terms on the commission. The State Education department
shall provide technical assistance. The commission shall submit an
annual report on its findings by August 12018.

 EXISTING LAW :

None

 JUSTIFICATION :

Black history just as any other history of a group of people in a
country or a specific race is important and should go beyond a day, or
a month commemoration. A child in the United Sates both black and
non-black should not have to wait until college before they learn
about the history of black people, who happen to be a profound figure
in the country. Moreover, not every child in the US goes to college
and even if they do, not every one of them studies history or
sociology where they will get the chance to learn something about
black history, which is an important part of their country hence, the
importance of every child from kindergarten to twelve-grade learning
about black history.

This idea of amending the education law instructing in black history
is necessary, and would help in the sense that; whatever young people
are exposed to from children goes a long way in shaping their mind,
and help them in making concrete decisions as they grow. Teaching
black history in K-12 will help expand young peoples' knowledge on
contributions black people made and still make in getting this country
to where it is now. I believe the black community has come very far
from no voice at all, to making huge contributions, and overcoming
many setbacks, which is worth teaching. It is not enough, to only talk
of these contributions in just a month and more likely forget it
afterwards. Children needs to learn and appreciate these contributions
and achievements just as they learn and appreciate American history or
global history. One may wonder, if black people in United States are
part of the US, then isn't American history enough to teach children
about black history? The US history course taught in high schools does
not delve as much into the history of black people and it may not even
be possible to infuse the majority if not all black history with
American history. Thus, the need to have a component of black history
in the course instruction for K-12 children.


Again, teaching these children black history and culture in school
will provide a good opportunity in exploring the idea of race as
social and political construction. Many students see race as
immutable, a fixed concept that has rarely changed overtime. Many
young people assume that because white historically meant good and
black is bad/evil, Europeans or white people have always been biased
against those of African descend and racism is just an extension of
ancient practices. Teaching young people at an early age about the
actual history of black people can help reduce the many misconceptions
surrounding black and white people and race, and can reduce the
stereotypes young people grow up adhering to. For instance, young
people needs to know that racial classification as a scientific
concept is an 18th -century invention and not just an ancient
everlasting practice which nothing can be done in regards to it.

Moreover, teaching school children on the history of black people will
help many of New York children appreciate black historical events in
New York. For instance, the creation of the center for Abolitionists.
By the year 1835, there were about 60o abolitionists who gathered in
the Bleecker street Baptist church in Utica where the inaugural
meeting of the NYS Anti-Slavery Society was then held. Form this
meeting lead to the now Smithfield community center in Peterboro which
houses the National Abolition Hall of fame and Museum in New York.

Also, the hand-on-history. The King Manor in Jamaica, Queens is a
museum dedicated to preserve home and legacy of Rufus King. Having
these children learn black history will help recall this unspoken
opponents of slavery. Another event worth knowing, which will be a
part of what will be taught should black history be incorporated in
schools is the 1800s meeting the people lead by African American
newspaper editor and a major voice in abolition, Fredrick Douglass a
resident of Rochester. At the flight of freedom exhibit in Rochester
Museum and science center, interactive exhibits reveal his story along
with those of freedom seeking and former enslaved Africans including
Austin Steward, Harriet Jacobs and revered Thomas James.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Minimal to the state

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Unknown but believe to be minimal

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law.

S5454A - Bill Text download pdf


                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 5454--A

                       2017-2018 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                             March 29, 2017
                               ___________

Introduced  by Sens. HAMILTON, ALCANTARA, LATIMER, MONTGOMERY, SAVINO --
  read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to  be  committed  to
  the  Committee  on  Education  --  committee discharged, bill amended,
  ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT relating to  establishing  the  commission  on  African  American
  history and achievement

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The commission on African American history and achievement;
established. 1. The commission on African American history and  achieve-
ment  (commission)  is  hereby  created  and established. The commission
shall consist of thirteen members, including the commissioner of  educa-
tion,  or  his or her designee, the chancellor of New York city schools,
or his or her designee, the chancellor of the state  university  of  New
York,  or  his  or  her  designee,  and  the  chancellor of the board of
regents, or his or her designee, three members appointed by  the  gover-
nor,  three  members appointed by the temporary president of the senate,
and three members appointed by the speaker of the assembly.    Appointed
members  shall  include  but  not be limited to teachers, including K-12
educators, historians, and those with a background in  African  American
history, arts, or culture.
  2.  Each  member  shall  serve  for a term of three years and shall be
eligible for reappointment. A vacancy occurring other than by expiration
of term shall be filled in the same manner as the  original  appointment
for the unexpired term.
  3.  The members of the commission shall serve without compensation but
shall be entitled to reimbursement for all necessary  expenses  incurred
in the performance of their duties.
  4.  The commissioner of education, or his or her designee, shall serve
as the chair and the chancellor of New York city schools, or his or  her
designee,  shall serve as the vice-chair of the commission. The presence

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                           LBD10730-03-7

S. 5454--A                          2

of a majority of the authorized membership of the  commission  shall  be
required for the conduct of official business.
  5.  The department of education shall provide technical assistance and
data to the commission as may be necessary for the commission  to  carry
out its responsibilities pursuant to this act.
  §  2. Duties and responsibilities. The commission shall be tasked with
developing and recommending curriculum that  incorporates  the  contrib-
utions  and achievements made by African Americans as part of New York's
education curriculum, including but not limited to  the  women's  aboli-
tionist movement, the Harlem Renaissance, the Buffalo anti-slavery move-
ment, and the suffrage movement for African American Long Islanders.  In
furtherance of this goal, the commission shall have the following duties
and responsibilities:
  1.  To  survey  and  review current elementary and secondary education
curriculum as it relates to contributions and  achievements  of  African
Americans throughout American and state history;
  2. To develop recommendations on additional curriculum and instruction
for  grades  kindergarten  through  twelve that incorporate the contrib-
utions and achievements made by African  Americans  throughout  American
and New York state history; and
  3.  Prepare  reports  for  the  governor and legislature regarding its
findings and recommendations on  current  curriculum  and  incorporating
additional  instruction  on  the  contributions and achievements made by
African Americans throughout American and New York state history.
  § 3. The commission shall submit an annual report, beginning August 1,
2018, to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speak-
er of the assembly, the chair of the senate education committee, and the
chair of the assembly education committee on its findings and  recommen-
dations.
  § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.

Co-Sponsors

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A7192
Current Committee:: Assembly Education
Law Section:: Education
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2019-2020: S1135
2021-2022: S582, S8089
2023-2024: S5078

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Summary

Relates to establishing the commission on African American history and achievement.

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

 
BILL NUMBER: S5454B

SPONSOR: HAMILTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
establishing the commission on African American history and achievement

 
PURPOSE:

The commission shall develop and recommend curriculum that incorporates
the achievements made by African Americans as part of New York's educa-
tion curriculum including the woman's abolitionist movement, the Harlem
Renaissance, the Buffalo antislavery movement, the suffrage of African
American Long Islanders.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the education law is amended by establishing a commission
on African American History and Achievement, the commission shall
consist of 13 members including The Commissioner of Education, the Chan-
cellors of NYC Department of Education, Chancellor of the State Univer-
sity of New York as well as the Chancellor of the Board of Regents. The

Governor, Speaker of the Assembly and Temporary President of the Senate
shall appoint three members each. The member shall receive reimbursement
for expenses but no salary. The members shall serve 3-year terms on the
commission. The State Education department shall provide technical
assistance. The commission shall submit an annual report on its findings
by August 1 2018.

 
EXISTING LAW:

None

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Black history just as any other history of a group of people in a coun-
try or a specific race is important and should go beyond a day, or a
month commemoration. A child in the United Sates both black and non-
black should not have to wait until college before they learn about the
history of black people, who happen to be a profound figure in the coun-
try. Moreover, not every child in the US goes to college and even if
they do, not every one of them studies history or sociology where they
will get the chance to learn something about black history, which is an
important part of their country hence, the importance of every child
from kindergarten to twelve-grade learning about black history.

This idea of amending the education law instructing in black history is
necessary, and would help in the sense that; whatever young people are
exposed to from children goes a long way in shaping their mind, and help
them in making concrete decisions as they grow. Teaching black history
in K-12 will help expand young peoples' knowledge on contributions black
people made and still make in getting this country to where it is now. I
believe the black community has come very far from no voice at all, to
making huge contributions, and overcoming many setbacks, which is worth
teaching. It is not enough, to only talk of these contributions in just
a month and more likely forget it afterwards. Children needs to learn
and appreciate these contributions and achievements just as they learn
and appreciate American history or global history. One may wonder, if
black people in United States are part of the US, then isn't American
history enough to teach children about black history? The US history
course taught in high schools does not delve as much into the history of
black people and it may not even be possible to infuse the majority if
not all black history with American history. Thus, the need to have a
component of black history in the course instruction for K-12 children.

Again, teaching these children black history and culture in school will
provide a good opportunity in exploring the idea of race as social and
political construction. Many students see race as immutable, a fixed
concept that has rarely changed overtime. Many young people assume that
because white historically meant good and black is bad/evil, Europeans
or white people have always been biased against those of African descend
and racism is just an extension of ancient practices. Teaching young
people at an early age about the actual history of black people can help
reduce the many misconceptions surrounding black and white people and
race, and can reduce the stereotypes young people grow up adhering to.
For instance, young people needs to know that racial classification as a
scientific concept is an 18th -century invention and not just an ancient
everlasting practice which nothing can be done in regards to it.

Moreover, teaching school children on the history of black people will
help many of New York children appreciate black historical events in New
York. For instance, the creation of the center for Abolitionists.  By
the year 1835, there were about boo abolitionists who gathered in the
Bleecker street Baptist church in Utica where the inaugural meeting of
the NYS Anti-Slavery Society was then held. Form this meeting lead to
the now Smithfield community center in Peterboro which houses the
National Abolition Hall of fame and Museum in New York.

Also, the hand-on-history. The King Manor in Jamaica, Queens is a museum
dedicated to preserve home and legacy of Rufus King. Having these chil-
dren learn black history will help recall this unspoken opponents of
slavery. Another event worth knowing, which will be a part of what will
be taught should black history be incorporated in schools is the 1800s
meeting the people lead by African American newspaper editor and a major
voice in abolition, Fredrick Douglass a resident of Rochester. At the
flight of freedom exhibit in Rochester Museum and science center, inter-
active exhibits reveal his story along with those of freedom seeking and
former enslaved Africans including Austin Steward, Harriet Jacobs and
revered Thomas James.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal to the state

 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Unknown but believe to be minimal

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law.

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf


                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 5454--B
    Cal. No. 578

                       2017-2018 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                             March 29, 2017
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  HAMILTON, ALCANTARA, KENNEDY, MONTGOMERY, SAVINO,
  STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and  when  printed  to  be
  committed  to the Committee on Education -- committee discharged, bill
  amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said  commit-
  tee  --  recommitted  to the Committee on Education in accordance with
  Senate Rule 6, sec. 8  --  reported  favorably  from  said  committee,
  ordered  to  first  and  second  report,  ordered  to a third reading,
  amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place  in  the  order  of
  third reading

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  education  law, in relation to establishing the
  commission on African American history and achievement

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 817 to
read as follows:
  § 817. AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENT. 1.  THE COMMISSION ON
AFRICAN  AMERICAN  HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENT; ESTABLISHED. (A) THE COMMIS-
SION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENT, REFERRED  TO  IN  THIS
SECTION  AS  THE  COMMISSION,  IS  HEREBY  CREATED  AND ESTABLISHED. THE
COMMISSION SHALL CONSIST OF THIRTEEN MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE  COMMISSION-
ER,  OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, THE CHANCELLOR OF NEW YORK CITY SCHOOLS, OR
HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, THE CHANCELLOR OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK,
OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, AND THE CHANCELLOR OF THE BOARD OF  REGENTS,  OR
HIS  OR  HER  DESIGNEE,  THREE  MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, THREE
MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE  SENATE,  AND  THREE
MEMBERS  APPOINTED  BY  THE  SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY.  APPOINTED MEMBERS
SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO TEACHERS, INCLUDING K-12  EDUCATORS,
HISTORIANS,  AND  THOSE  WITH  A BACKGROUND IN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY,
ARTS, OR CULTURE.
  (B) EACH MEMBER SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF THREE  YEARS  AND  SHALL  BE
ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT. A VACANCY OCCURRING OTHER THAN BY EXPIRATION

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD10730-05-8

S. 5454--B                          2

OF  TERM  SHALL BE FILLED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT
FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM.
  (C) THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION BUT
SHALL  BE  ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED
IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
  (D) THE COMMISSIONER, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, SHALL SERVE AS THE CHAIR
AND THE CHANCELLOR OF NEW YORK CITY SCHOOLS, OR  HIS  OR  HER  DESIGNEE,
SHALL  SERVE  AS  THE  VICE-CHAIR  OF  THE COMMISSION. THE PRESENCE OF A
MAJORITY OF  THE  AUTHORIZED  MEMBERSHIP  OF  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  BE
REQUIRED FOR THE CONDUCT OF OFFICIAL BUSINESS.
  (E)  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND DATA TO THE
COMMISSION AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR  THE  COMMISSION  TO  CARRY  OUT  ITS
RESPONSIBILITIES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
  2.  DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION.  (A) THE COMMISSION
SHALL BE TASKED WITH DEVELOPING AND RECOMMENDING CURRICULUM THAT  INCOR-
PORATES  THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS MADE BY AFRICAN AMERICANS AS
PART OF NEW YORK'S EDUCATION CURRICULUM, INCLUDING BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO
THE  WOMEN'S  ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT, THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE, THE BUFFALO
ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT, AND THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT  FOR  AFRICAN  AMERICAN
LONG  ISLANDERS.  IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS GOAL, THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE
THE FOLLOWING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  (I) TO SURVEY AND REVIEW CURRENT ELEMENTARY  AND  SECONDARY  EDUCATION
CURRICULUM  AS  IT  RELATES TO CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF AFRICAN
AMERICANS THROUGHOUT AMERICAN AND STATE HISTORY;
  (II) TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS ON ADDITIONAL CURRICULUM AND  INSTRUC-
TION  FOR  GRADES  KINDERGARTEN  THROUGH  TWELVE  THAT  INCORPORATE  THE
CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS  MADE  BY  AFRICAN  AMERICANS  THROUGHOUT
AMERICAN AND NEW YORK STATE HISTORY; AND
  (III)  PREPARE  REPORTS FOR THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE REGARDING ITS
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON  CURRENT  CURRICULUM  AND  INCORPORATING
ADDITIONAL  INSTRUCTION  ON  THE  CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS MADE BY
AFRICAN AMERICANS THROUGHOUT AMERICAN AND NEW YORK STATE HISTORY.
  (B) THE COMMISSION SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT, BEGINNING AUGUST  1,
2018,  TO THE GOVERNOR, THE COMMISSIONER, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE CHAIR OF THE  SENATE  EDUCATION
COMMITTEE,  AND  THE  CHAIR  OF  THE ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE ON ITS
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
  3. AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENT CURRICULUM OR INSTRUCTION.
(A) THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONJUNCTION WITH  OTHER  APPROPRIATE  AGENCIES,
SHALL  ESTABLISH  AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENT CURRICULUM OR
INSTRUCTION FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS BASED ON  THE  RECOMMENDATIONS  OF  THE
COMMISSION.  THE CONTENT SHALL BE AGE APPROPRIATE AND SHALL BE DEVELOPED
ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS AND  ABILITIES  OF  PUPILS  AT  SUCCESSIVE  GRADE
LEVELS  IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MATERIALS, AND INFORMATION IN AFRICAN AMERI-
CAN HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENT. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ANNUALLY REVIEW  THE
COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND MAKE UPDATES TO CURRICULUM AS APPROPRI-
ATE.
  (B)  SCHOOLS  MAY  INCLUDE  THE  ABOVE MATERIALS AS A COMPONENT OF ITS
HISTORY CURRICULUM OR ANY OTHER WAY THE SCHOOL DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
  § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

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The New York State Senate

senate Bill S5454A

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Archive: Last Bill Status - Passed Senate

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Votes

Jun 4, 2018 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: Jun 4, 2018

Mar 6, 2018 - Education committee Vote

Education Committee Vote: Mar 6, 2018

Jun 15, 2017 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: Jun 15, 2017

Jun 14, 2017 - Rules committee Vote

Rules Committee Vote: Jun 14, 2017

Bill Amendments

Co-Sponsors

S5454 - Details

S5454 - Summary

S5454 - Sponsor Memo

S5454 - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S5454A - Details

S5454A - Summary

S5454A - Sponsor Memo

S5454A - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Details

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Summary

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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senate Bill S5454A

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Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - Passed Senate

Your Voice

Actions

Votes

Jun 4, 2018 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: Jun 4, 2018

Mar 6, 2018 - Education committee Vote

Education Committee Vote: Mar 6, 2018

Jun 15, 2017 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: Jun 15, 2017

Jun 14, 2017 - Rules committee Vote

Rules Committee Vote: Jun 14, 2017

Bill Amendments

Co-Sponsors

S5454 - Details

S5454 - Summary

S5454 - Sponsor Memo

S5454 - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S5454A - Details

S5454A - Summary

S5454A - Sponsor Memo

S5454A - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Details

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Summary

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S5454B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments