Feb 28, 2025 Story by: Editor
Democratic lawmakers in Colorado are pushing for the inclusion of Black history in the state’s academic standards for public schools, anticipating potential challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts from the federal government.
House Bill 25-1149 advanced through its initial committee on Thursday along party lines, with Democrats in favor. The proposed legislation seeks to establish an advisory committee tasked with recommending Black historical and cultural studies standards for the State Board of Education to adopt during its 2028 review of social studies guidelines.
Academic standards define the knowledge students in public schools are expected to acquire by the end of each grade.
“For too long, the contributions, struggles and triumphs of Black Americans have been either omitted or minimized in our history books. The result is a generation of students who lack a full and accurate understanding of American history and the cultural richness that defines our nation,” said Representative Regina English, a Democrat from Colorado Springs and a sponsor of the bill.
English is co-sponsoring the bill with Senator Tony Exum, another Democrat from Colorado Springs.
The initiative emerges amid efforts by former President Donald Trump and his administration to curb diversity-focused initiatives across government sectors, attributing inefficiencies and societal challenges to DEI programs. The U.S. Department of Education, for instance, disbanded its Diversity and Inclusion Council following an executive order against DEI. Another executive order aims to restrict funding for public schools that incorporate “discriminatory equity ideology.”
“Why this is important … to actually move this into a standard (is to) enshrine that it’s important here in the event that the federal government says it isn’t, and there’s something to hold people accountable to,” said Representative Jennifer Bacon, a Democrat from Denver, at a press conference prior to the committee hearing.
English emphasized that the bill would not only enhance representation for Black students in the curriculum but also provide all students with a broader understanding of Black history beyond slavery, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement. She underscored that Black history spans all eras of American history.
“Black history is not just about slavery and oppression. While these chapters are significant and must be acknowledged, they do not define the totality of the Black experience. Black people are creators, innovators, doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs and so much more,” English said.
The proposed legislation would create a 17-member advisory committee composed of subject matter experts, educators, and community leaders, appointed by the governor and legislative leaders. The committee would be responsible for recommending standards that accurately portray the struggles and contributions of Black Americans across various fields while highlighting “Black agency and resistance against oppression,” according to the bill’s text.
The State Board of Education revises academic standards every six years, with the next review of social studies guidelines scheduled for 2028. During its last review, the board incorporated requirements from a 2019 law ensuring that lessons include the experiences of minority groups, such as African Americans, Latinos, Indigenous people, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, religious minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
While the state sets academic standards, local school districts retain the authority to determine specific curriculum choices.
Republican committee members acknowledged the importance of Black history but argued that the bill was unnecessary.
“I looked through our standards and all of the things that I heard people say ‘This is what we want, this is what we wish for,’ it is in here,” said Representative Lori Garcia Sander, a Republican from Eaton. “I know there is a question of whether it is being taught, and that which gets tested gets taught in our state, so unfortunately we don’t have a measure of how well it is being taught right now.”
Katie Custer, the manager of secondary studies at Denver Public Schools, testified that Black history is often presented through “incomplete narratives” in education systems.
“This bill seeks to address that gap, ensuring that every child in our state has access to truthful and comprehensive learning experiences that elevate the contributions, resilience and joy of Black Americans,” she stated. “Black Americans have been at the forefront of shaping our nation’s economic, social and political landscapes, yet many of our students graduate with little to no exposure to Black narratives, leaving them ill-equipped to understand diverse and complex realities.”
The bill will now move to the Appropriations Committee before being considered by the full House.
Source: Colorado Newsline
