S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6359--A
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
April 23, 2021
___________
Introduced by Sens. LIU, COONEY, GOUNARDES, KAVANAGH, STAVISKY, THOMAS
-- 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 to amend the education law, in relation to requiring public
elementary schools and high schools to provide instruction in Asian
American history and civic impact
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. COURSES OF STUDY IN ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVIC IMPACT.
1. THE BOARD OF REGENTS IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO ESTABLISH AND
DEVELOP A COURSE OF STUDY IN THE EVENTS OF ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY. SUCH
COURSE OF STUDY SHALL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL AND MAY BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE HISTORY OR
SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM OF SUCH SCHOOLS. INSTRUCTION SHALL BE PROVIDED
BY THE TEACHERS EMPLOYED IN THE SCHOOLS THEREIN. SUCH INSTRUCTION SHALL
INCLUDE, BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO, INSTRUCTION IN THE FOLLOWING:
A. THE HISTORY OF ASIAN AMERICANS IN NEW YORK AND THE NORTHEAST;
B. THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ASIAN AMERICANS TOWARD ADVANCING CIVIL RIGHTS
FROM THE NINETEENTH CENTURY ONWARD;
C. THE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY INDIVIDUAL ASIAN AMERICANS IN GOVERNMENT
AND THE ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SCIENCES; AND
D. THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES TO THE ECONOMIC,
CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
2. THE COMMISSIONER, SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ASSIST IN
THE DEVELOPMENT OF CURRICULA FOR SUCH COURSES OF STUDY WHICH SHALL BE
AGE APPROPRIATE AND DEVELOPED ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS AND ABILITIES OF
STUDENTS AT SUCCESSIVE GRADE LEVELS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE UNDERSTANDING,
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11024-03-1
S. 6359--A 2
AWARENESS, SKILLS, INFORMATION AND SUPPORT TO AID IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF
ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVIC IMPACT.
3. THE REGENTS SHALL ADOPT RULES PROVIDING FOR ATTENDANCE OF SUCH
COURSES OF STUDY AND FOR SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS ARE REQUIRED FOR EFFECTU-
ATING THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL BE RESPONSI-
BLE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH SECTION AND SHALL CAUSE TO BE INSPECTED
AND SUPERVISE THE INSTRUCTION TO BE GIVEN. THE COMMISSIONER MAY, IN HIS
OR HER DISCRETION, CAUSE ALL OR A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL MONEY TO
BE APPORTIONED TO A DISTRICT OR CITY TO BE WITHHELD FOR NON-COMPLIANCE
WITH THE RULES OF THE REGENTS ADOPTED AS HEREIN PROVIDED AND TO COMPEL
ATTENDANCE IN SUCH INSTRUCTION, AS HEREIN PRESCRIBED.
4. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE TO ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND
HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE STATE SUITABLE CURRICULUM MATERIALS TO AID IN THE
INSTRUCTION OF STUDENTS IN ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVIC IMPACT AND
SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING SUCH COURSES OF STUDY.
5. COMPLETION OF SUCH COURSES OF STUDY SHALL CONSTITUTE AN AFFIRMATION
BY STUDENTS OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO RESPECT THE DIGNITY OF ALL RACES AND
PEOPLES AND TO FOREVER ESCHEW EVERY FORM OF DISCRIMINATION IN THEIR
LIVES AND CAREERS.
6. A SCHOOL MAY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION THROUGH AN
ONLINE COURSE OR PROGRAM.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law.