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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 15, 2022 12:06 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Danilo Burgos and Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein, Rep. Sara Innamorato, Rep. Regina G. Young |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Diverse History Instruction in our Schools |
| In 1954, the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. earnestly told his congregation “Instead of making history, we are made by history.” The importance of knowing and understanding the history of our nation is of vital importance to our democracy and identity as Americans. Yet, our educational system does not currently paint an accurate or full portrayal of our rich history where all our students can see themselves. In a recent Stanford Research Study, it was found that students who took ethnic-studies courses made gains in attendance, grades, and even the number of course credits they earned to graduate. The benefits of teaching a more inclusive history are not just academic; learning the history and contributions of African- and Latino-Americans helps dispel myths and build connections among students of all races and backgrounds. That is why, as a person who is deeply committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive society, it is my honor to introduce legislation to require our schools to offer instruction in African American and Latino history to students. Under my bill, the Department of Education would be required to develop a model curriculum that schools can use to accomplish this goal. African American and Latino history are American history. The story of these underrepresented groups must go beyond Black History Month and Latino History Month. In the wake of recent legislation that would aim to erase our history from being taught, all our students deserve to receive instruction that includes all our stories that ultimately make up the rich story of America, regardless of culture or race. Please join me in embracing the history of all our Pennsylvanian students. |
Introduced as HB771