Sen. Katrina Robinson introduces Black History Act
Legislation establishes Black history and culture curriculum with emphasis on fifth, eighth grades
NASHVILLE — A new bill in the state legislature would add Black history and culture into public school curriculum throughout the school year.
The Black History Act, Senate Bill 1101 sponsored by Sen. Katrina Robinson, would direct state education officials to establish year-long, age-appropriate Black history and culture curriculum primarily for students in fifth and eighth grades.
The measure will be introduced Wednesday, March 3 in the Senate Education Committee.
“In the interest of improving race relations and eliminating division in our country resulting from cultural nescience, we have to start telling the whole story of our history to all of our children,” Sen. Robinson said. “When lessons about slavery and the Civil Rights movement are taught, it is essential that it’s done accurately. The residual impact of the darkest eras of Black History such as slavery and the civil rights journey still echoes loudly today.
“This is why we must integrate a curriculum that tells the whole story of our country with great transparency, including the contributions Black people have made to this country, the evolution of our citizenship, and highlighting both the struggles and victories that have shaped America leading up to today. This can’t possibly be covered in 28 days,” Sen. Robinson said. “Black history is an undeniably critical component of American history and that should be reflected in our curriculum all year long.”
Though the curriculum is intended for fifth and eighth grades, schools would be encouraged to enhance Black history offerings in other grades too.
The bill would apply to every school district and public charter schools, with rules promulgated by The Department of Education.
