Elementary and Secondary Education - Curriculum - Importance of Diversity

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 3
F5 6lr0863
HJ 5/25 – HRU
By: Delegates Fair, Acevero, Allen, Embry, Feldmark, Forbes, D. Jones, Kaufman,
McCaskill, Pasteur, Patterson, Pruski, Rosenberg, Ruth, Schindler,
Solomon, White Holland, Wims, Woods, and Wu
Introduced and read first time: January 21, 2026
Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

A House Joint Resolution concerning 1

Elementary and Secondary Education – Curriculum – Importance of Diversity 2

FOR the purpose of acknowledging the importance of teaching a culturally diverse 3
curriculum in elementary and secondary schools in the State; providing that 4
curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools should include the history of 5
communities that have experienced discrimination; affirming the State of 6
Maryland’s commitment to a complete education; and generally relating to the 7
curriculum taught in elementary and secondary schools in the State. 8

WHEREAS, Curricula taught in Maryland’s elementary and secondary schools has 9
continuously underrepresented communities that have experienced discrimination; and 10

WHEREAS, A society’s progress depends on elementary and secondary education 11
that includes curricula about the history of communities that have experienced 12
discrimination; and 13

WHEREAS, Curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools should include 14
information about diverse history and cultures; and 15

WHEREAS, It is crucial to address the issue of representation and inclusion in 16
education to ensure that all children have an equal opportunity to receive a complete 17
education; and 18

WHEREAS, Curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools that includes the 19
experiences of communities that have been subject to discrimination can help cultivate 20
empathy and compassion; and 21

WHEREAS, Curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools that includes the 22
experiences of communities that have been subject t o discrimination can help break down 23
stereotypes and prejudices that translate into real world harms; and 24
2 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 3

WHEREAS, Understanding communities that have experienced discrimination can 1
help elementary and secondary students learn to interact in and live as adults in a diverse 2
society; and 3

WHEREAS, It is the intent of the General Assembly that all of its citizens feel 4
represented in the curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools in the State; now, 5
therefore, be it 6

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSE MBLY OF MARYLAND, That the State of 7
Maryland acknowledges the importance of a complete education; and be it further 8

RESOLVED, That it is the policy of the State of Maryland that elementary and 9
secondary education should be provided in a nondiscriminatory , inclusive manner; and be 10
it further 11

RESOLVED, That it is the policy of the State of Maryland that curricula taught in 12
elementary and secondary schools encompass groups of people that have experienced 13
discrimination based on their disability, ethnicity, gender, indigenous American Tribal 14
affiliation, race, religion or faith, and sexual orientation; and be it further 15

RESOLVED, That the curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools in the 16
State should reflect the breadth and diversity of Marylande rs’ lived experiences; and be it 17
further 18

RESOLVED, That the State of Maryland is committed to providing robust civic, 19
cultural, and history education so that its citizens are engaged and informed members of 20
our community; and be it further 21

RESOLVED, Th at a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of 22
Legislative Services to the Governor of Maryland; the President of the Senate of Maryland; 23
the Speaker of the House of Delegates; the President of the State Board of Education; the 24
State Superintendent of Schools; and the presidents of the twenty –four county boards of 25
education. 26