Black History is American History Act
Black History is American History Act
Plain Language Summary
# Black History is American History Act (HR 844) - Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would require schools, universities, libraries, and museums to include Black history as a required part of American history education in order to receive certain federal grants from the Department of Education. It would also mandate that Black history be included in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)—the standardized test used to measure student achievement across the country. The bill specifically ties these requirements to funding for "American History and Civics Academies," which provide teacher training workshops and support for high school students studying American history and civics. **Who It Affects:** The bill directly impacts educational institutions (schools, colleges, universities), public libraries, and museums that seek federal education grants.
Teachers and students would be affected through changes to curriculum requirements and testing standards, and the Smithsonian Institution is also mentioned as subject to these provisions. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not been voted on. It was introduced by Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
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.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.