Illinois became the first state of the country to require Asian American history be taught in public schools when Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Teaching Equitable Asian American History Act Friday.
"The monumental measure will ensure every high school graduate in Illinois will learn about Asian American history as well as the rich contributions and traditions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community," said a press release from Pritzker’s office.
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Hate crimes against Asian Americans were thrown into the national spotlight this year after the Atlanta Spa killings. Researchers with the Stop AAPI Hate organization have also found that acts of hate against Asian Americans have been increasing recently.
"With the recent rise in acts of violence and bigotry against the Asian American community, teaching students about rich culture and important contributions of the Asian American community throughout history will help combat false stereotypes," said the press release.
Illinois State Sen. Ram Villivalam – the only Asian member of the Illinois senate – said education could help decrease hate crimes against Asian Americans.
The legislation will go into effect Jan. 1 of next year and adds a new Asian American history section to the state’s school code and applies to elementary and high school education.
Curriculum is required to cover: contributions of Asian Americans toward advancing civil rights from the 19th century onward and contributions made by individual Asian Americans in government, arts, humanities and sciences as well as contributions of Asian American communities to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of the U.S. as well as the community’s role in the Midwest.
Some specific topics schools will need to cover are the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese internment during World War II.
Specific curriculum is not required by the state and the Illinois State Board of Education will make educational materials available to schools.
"Today, we are reaffirming our commitment to creating more inclusive school environments. We're making Illinois the first state in the nation to require that Asian American history will be taught in public schools, including a unit about the Asian American experience," Pritzker said Friday. "We are setting a new standard for what it means to truly reckon with our history. It's a new standard that helps us understand one another, and, ultimately, to move ourselves closer to the nation of our ideals."
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Other Illinois politicians spoke in support of the measure, including Democrat State Rep. Jennifer Gong Gershowitz.
"Asian American history is American history. Yet we are often invisible. The TEAACH Act will ensure that the next generation of Asian American students won't need to attend law school to learn about their heritage," she said. "Empathy comes from understanding. We cannot do better unless we know better. A lack of knowledge is the root cause of discrimination and the best weapon against ignorance is education."
Previously, the Illinois governor also signed legislation requiring schools in the state to include the positive contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals in history lessons. His administration also created the Affirming and Inclusive Schools Task Force to foster support inclusive school environments and earlier this year worked to expand Black history education requirements.
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