BILL NUMBER:  S5454

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
instruction in black history

 PURPOSE :

Implement black history in course instruction in grades kindergarten
through twelve grade, and to be ensured by the regents.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of the education law is amended by adding a new section
801-b applicable to cities of one million or more people. This new
bill is to instruct black history into K-12 academic curriculum. For
the purposes of this section, black history shall include women's
abolitionist movement, the Harlem renaissance, the buffalo
anti-slavery and civil right movement. Section two; this act shall
take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have
become a law.

 EXISTING LAW :

None

 JUSTIFICATION :
              

Black history just as any other history of a group of people in a
country or a specific race is important and should go beyond a day, or
a month commemoration. A child in the United Sates both black and
non-black should not have to wait until college before they learn
about the history of black people, who happen to be a profound figure
in the country. Moreover, not every child in the US goes to college
and even if they do, not every one of them studies history, or
sociology where they will get the chance to learn something about
black history, which is an important part of their country hence, the
importance of every child from kindergarten to twelve-grade learning
about black history.

This idea of amending the education law instructing in black history
is necessary, and would help in the sense that; whatever young people
are exposed to from children goes a long way in shaping their mind,
and help them in making concrete decisions as they grow. Teaching
black history in K-12 will help expand young peoples' knowledge on
contributions black people made and still make in getting this country
to where it is now. I believe the black community has come very far
from no voice at all, to making huge contributions, and overcoming
many setbacks, which is worth teaching. It is not enough, to only talk
of these contributions in just a month and more likely forget it
afterwards. Children needs to learn and appreciate these contributions
and achievements just as they learn and appreciate American history or
global history. One may wonder, if black people in United States are
part of the US, then isn't American history enough to teach children
about black history? The US history course taught in high schools does
not delve as much into the history of black people and it may not even
be possible to infuse the majority if not all black history with
American history.Thus, the need to have a component of black history
in the course instruction for K-12 children.

Again, teaching these children black history and culture in school
will provide a good opportunity in exploring the idea of race as
social and political construction. Many students see race as
immutable, a fixed concept that has rarely changed overtime. Many
young people assume that because white historically meant good and
black is bad/evil, Europeans or white people have always been biased
against those of African descend and racism is just an extension of
ancient practices. Teaching young people at an early age about the
actual history of black people can help reduce the many misconceptions
surrounding black and white people and race, and can reduce the
stereotypes young people grow up adhering to. For instance, young
people needs to know that racial classification as a scientific
concept is an 18th -century invention and not just an ancient
everlasting practice which nothing can be done in regards to it.

Moreover, teaching school children on the history of black people will
help many of New York children appreciate black historical events in
New York. For instance, the creation of the center for Abolitionists.
By the year 1835, there were about 600 abolitionists who gathered in
the Bleecker street Baptist church in Utica where the inaugural
meeting of the NYS Anti-Slavery Society was then held. Form this
meeting lead to the now Smithfield community center in Peterboro which
houses the National Abolition Hall of fame and Museum in New York.

Also, the hand-on-history. The King Manor in Jamaica, Queens is a
museum dedicated to preserve home and legacy of Rufus King. Having
these children learn black history will help recall this unspoken
opponents of slavery. Another event worth knowing, which will be a
part of what will be taught should black history be incorporated in
schools is the 1800s meeting the people lead by African American
newspaper editor and a major voice in abolition, Fredrick Douglass a
resident of Rochester. At the flight of freedom exhibit in Rochester
Museum and science center, interactive exhibits reveal his story along
with those of freedom seeking and former enslaved Africans including
Austin Steward, Harriet Jacobs and revered Thomas James.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Minimal to the state

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Unknown but believe to be minimal

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law.

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S5454A

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act relating to establishing the commission on
African American history and achievement

 PURPOSE :

The commission shall develop and recommend curriculum that
incorporates the achievements made by African Americans as part of New
York's education curriculum including the woman's abolitionist
movement, the Harlem Renaissance, the Buffalo antislavery movement,
the suffrage of African American Long Islanders.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of the education law is amended by establishing a commission
on African American History and Achievement, the commission shall
consist of 13 members including The Commissioner of Education, the
Chancellors of NYC Department of Education, Chancellor of the State
University of New York as well as the Chancellor of the Board of
Regents. The Governor, Speaker of the Assembly and Temporary President
of the Senate shall appoint three members each. The member shall
receive reimbursement for expenses but no salary. The members shall
serve 3-year terms on the commission. The State Education department
shall provide technical assistance. The commission shall submit an
annual report on its findings by August 12018.
              

 EXISTING LAW :

None

 JUSTIFICATION :

Black history just as any other history of a group of people in a
country or a specific race is important and should go beyond a day, or
a month commemoration. A child in the United Sates both black and
non-black should not have to wait until college before they learn
about the history of black people, who happen to be a profound figure
in the country. Moreover, not every child in the US goes to college
and even if they do, not every one of them studies history or
sociology where they will get the chance to learn something about
black history, which is an important part of their country hence, the
importance of every child from kindergarten to twelve-grade learning
about black history.

This idea of amending the education law instructing in black history
is necessary, and would help in the sense that; whatever young people
are exposed to from children goes a long way in shaping their mind,
and help them in making concrete decisions as they grow. Teaching
black history in K-12 will help expand young peoples' knowledge on
contributions black people made and still make in getting this country
to where it is now. I believe the black community has come very far
from no voice at all, to making huge contributions, and overcoming
many setbacks, which is worth teaching. It is not enough, to only talk
of these contributions in just a month and more likely forget it
afterwards. Children needs to learn and appreciate these contributions
and achievements just as they learn and appreciate American history or
global history. One may wonder, if black people in United States are
part of the US, then isn't American history enough to teach children
about black history? The US history course taught in high schools does
not delve as much into the history of black people and it may not even
be possible to infuse the majority if not all black history with
American history. Thus, the need to have a component of black history
in the course instruction for K-12 children.


Again, teaching these children black history and culture in school
will provide a good opportunity in exploring the idea of race as
social and political construction. Many students see race as
immutable, a fixed concept that has rarely changed overtime. Many
young people assume that because white historically meant good and
black is bad/evil, Europeans or white people have always been biased
against those of African descend and racism is just an extension of
ancient practices. Teaching young people at an early age about the
actual history of black people can help reduce the many misconceptions
surrounding black and white people and race, and can reduce the
stereotypes young people grow up adhering to. For instance, young
people needs to know that racial classification as a scientific
concept is an 18th -century invention and not just an ancient
everlasting practice which nothing can be done in regards to it.

Moreover, teaching school children on the history of black people will
help many of New York children appreciate black historical events in
New York. For instance, the creation of the center for Abolitionists.
By the year 1835, there were about 60o abolitionists who gathered in
the Bleecker street Baptist church in Utica where the inaugural
meeting of the NYS Anti-Slavery Society was then held. Form this
meeting lead to the now Smithfield community center in Peterboro which
houses the National Abolition Hall of fame and Museum in New York.

Also, the hand-on-history. The King Manor in Jamaica, Queens is a
museum dedicated to preserve home and legacy of Rufus King. Having
these children learn black history will help recall this unspoken
opponents of slavery. Another event worth knowing, which will be a
part of what will be taught should black history be incorporated in
schools is the 1800s meeting the people lead by African American
newspaper editor and a major voice in abolition, Fredrick Douglass a
resident of Rochester. At the flight of freedom exhibit in Rochester
Museum and science center, interactive exhibits reveal his story along
with those of freedom seeking and former enslaved Africans including
Austin Steward, Harriet Jacobs and revered Thomas James.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Minimal to the state

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Unknown but believe to be minimal

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law.