Bill > A05610

This bill establishes the Amistad Commission as a state-level entity within the New York Department of Education, with a comprehensive mission to improve education about Black history, slavery, and race. The commission will consist of 21 members, including government officials and public members, who will work to develop and implement a robust Black history curriculum across all educational levels from preschool through college. Key responsibilities include creating curriculum guidelines, conducting teacher workshops, monitoring the inclusion of Black history materials in schools, and developing performance-based assessments that incorporate Black studies. The commission is tasked with surveying and expanding the scope of Black history education, which will cover topics such as African history, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, slavery in America, and the significant contributions of African Americans. The bill emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical impacts of slavery, racism, and systemic inequities, and requires schools to provide comprehensive, culturally responsive education that highlights diverse perspectives within the African American community. The commission will have an annual budget of at least $1.4 million and is authorized to work with various state agencies to gather information and support its mission of promoting a more inclusive and accurate educational approach to Black history.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5610