Signed by Governor John Carney, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires school districts and charter schools to provide curricula on black or African American history.

Highlights:

• Requires each school district and charter school serving students in 1 or more of the grades K through 12 to provide instruction on Black History as part of all educational programming (Sec. 1.a-1).

• Requires, at a minimum, Black History instruction to include all of the following (Sec. 1-3):

• The history and culture of Black people before the African and Black Diaspora, including contributions to science, art, and literature;

• The significance of enslavement in the development of the American economy;

• The relationship between white supremacy, racism, and American slavery;

• The central role racism played in the Civil War;

• How the tragedy of enslavement was perpetuated through segregation and federal, state, and local laws;

• The contributions of Black people to American life, history, literature, economy, politics, and culture;

• The socio-economic struggle Black people endured, and continue to endure, in working to achieve fair treatment in the United States; as well as the agency they employ in this work for equal treatment; and

• Black figures in national history and Delaware history.

• Requires the curricula developed to rely heavily on primary sourcing to receive a true perspective of the Black experience inclusive of the triumphs, setbacks, and contributions of Black persons (Sec. 1-4).

• Specifies instruction required under this law must be designed to do all of the following (Sec. 1-4.c):

• Be trauma-responsive and recognize the impact of racial and historical trauma on students;

• Stimulate students’ reflection on the roles and responsibilities of citizens in democratic societies to combat racism, inequality, and discrimination through tools of resistance such as protest, reform, and celebration;

• Incorporate contemporary events into discussions of Black History and the tools of resistance;

• Develop students’ respect for cultural and racial diversity;

• Enable students to understand the ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping;

• Provide opportunities for students to discuss and uplift the Black experience;

• Provide students with a foundation for examining the history of discrimination in this State; and

• Explore the various mechanisms of transitional and restorative justice that help humanity move forward.

• Requires the Department of Education to develop and make publicly available a list of resources to assist a school district or charter school in creating Black History curricula. The Department shall consult with organizations that provide education about the experiences of Black people, or seek to promote racial empowerment and social justice, including the following (Sec. 1-4.d):

• The National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (“NAACP”).

• Africana Studies programs at Delaware State University and the University of Delaware.

• Delaware Heritage Commission.

• Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League.

• Black Student Coalitions.

• Delaware Black Student Coalition.

• Eastern Shore AFRAM.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires school districts and charter schools to provide curricula on black or African American history.

Highlights:

• Requires each school district and charter school serving students in 1 or more of the grades K through 12 to provide instruction on Black History as part of all educational programming (Sec. 1.a-1).

• Requires, at a minimum, Black History instruction to include all of the following (Sec. 1-3):

• The history and culture of Black people before the African and Black Diaspora, including contributions to science, art, and literature;

• The significance of enslavement in the development of the American economy;

• The relationship between white supremacy, racism, and American slavery;

• The central role racism played in the Civil War;

• How the tragedy of enslavement was perpetuated through segregation and federal, state, and local laws;

• The contributions of Black people to American life, history, literature, economy, politics, and culture;

• The socio-economic struggle Black people endured, and continue to endure, in working to achieve fair treatment in the United States; as well as the agency they employ in this work for equal treatment; and

• Black figures in national history and Delaware history.

• Requires the curricula developed to rely heavily on primary sourcing to receive a true perspective of the Black experience inclusive of the triumphs, setbacks, and contributions of Black persons (Sec. 1-4).

• Specifies instruction required under this law must be designed to do all of the following (Sec. 1-4.c):

• Be trauma-responsive and recognize the impact of racial and historical trauma on students;

• Stimulate students’ reflection on the roles and responsibilities of citizens in democratic societies to combat racism, inequality, and discrimination through tools of resistance such as protest, reform, and celebration;

• Incorporate contemporary events into discussions of Black History and the tools of resistance;

• Develop students’ respect for cultural and racial diversity;

• Enable students to understand the ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping;

• Provide opportunities for students to discuss and uplift the Black experience;

• Provide students with a foundation for examining the history of discrimination in this State; and

• Explore the various mechanisms of transitional and restorative justice that help humanity move forward.

• Requires the Department of Education to develop and make publicly available a list of resources to assist a school district or charter school in creating Black History curricula. The Department shall consult with organizations that provide education about the experiences of Black people, or seek to promote racial empowerment and social justice, including the following (Sec. 1-4.d):

• The National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (“NAACP”).

• Africana Studies programs at Delaware State University and the University of Delaware.

• Delaware Heritage Commission.

• Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League.

• Black Student Coalitions.

• Delaware Black Student Coalition.

• Eastern Shore AFRAM.

Full Bill Text