S. 1844: Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act of 2025, aims to improve the education of American history by incorporating the histories and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders into the curriculum. The bill proposes the following key actions:

1. Grant Authorization

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities for the development of educational programs that:

• Include the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the context of the founding and development of the United States.
• Address the social, economic, and political factors behind discriminatory laws targeting these groups, along with their relevance to current events.
• Highlight the contributions of these communities to American culture, history, literature, and the economy.

2. Amendments to Existing Education Acts

The bill proposes amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that the history of Asian Pacific Americans is included in various aspects of American history and civics education:

• It modifies section 2231(a) to state that American history must include Asian Pacific American history.
• It updates section 2232 to require that programs for teaching American history and civics recognize Asian Pacific American history.
• It emphasizes the need for collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s Asian Pacific American Center to enhance educational resources and programs.

3. National Activities and Assessments

The bill seeks to amend the provisions regarding national activities and assessments to include Asian Pacific American history. It aims to ensure that:

• The National Assessment of Educational Progress incorporates Asian Pacific American history in its evaluations.
• Every aspect of national educational activities acknowledges the history and contributions of Asian Pacific Americans.

4. Historical Context and Findings

The legislation outlines several findings, emphasizing:

• The significant role Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played throughout U.S. history.
• The inadequacy of traditional history curricula, which often overlook these communities and their diverse histories and contributions.
• The historic issues regarding immigration laws and discrimination faced by these racial groups and how these issues relate to contemporary society.

Further findings detail specific historical events affecting Asian and Pacific Islander communities, including the impact of discriminatory immigration laws, military service, and civil rights movements that shaped their experiences and contributions to the U.S.

5. Educational Implications

Through this legislation, the intent is to foster a more inclusive approach to American history education, helping students understand the diverse narratives that form the nation’s heritage. By addressing the omissions and stereotypes present in educational materials, the bill aims to promote a comprehensive understanding of how Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have influenced American society.

Relevant Companies

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