New Jersey’s legislation to create an AAPI education requirement
Photo: Time Out
It’s official… New Jersey becomes the second state in the United States to create an AAPI education requirement, and the state will establish the Commission for Asian American Heritage within the Department of Education. Signed into law today, the curriculum requirement goes into effect in the 2022-2023 school year.
“The members of our Asian American/Pacific Islander community have contributed so much to our state and nation,” said Governor Murphy. “By teaching students about the history and heritage of our AAPI community, we can ensure that the diversity of our state is reflected in our curriculum and create a more tolerant and knowledgeable future for New Jersey. I am proud to sign these bills into law.”
“Though Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue to make significant and positive contributions to our state, they remain misunderstood and are often targeted for race-based violence and bigotry,” said Senator Vin Gopal. “With these new laws, and implementation of learning standards that do more to highlight the history and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, I am confident we will be able to better educate students about Asian American culture and foster greater understanding across the many diverse communities of our state.”
For too long, we’ve been ignored and erased from America’s textbooks and classrooms. By telling our stories, showcasing our contributions, and unpacking our struggles, people will begin to know and understand us instead of seeing us as foreigners. We are a part of American history… thank you to Illinois and New Jersey for acting like it.
This is progress!
New York? California? We’re waiting.
