African American studies

AN ACT Relating to identifying African American studies curricula 1
for students in grades seven through 12; creating new sections; and 2
providing an expiration date. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that the 5
contributions, achievements, culture, characteristics, and issues of 6
people of African descent is American history and that African 7
American studies is an interdisciplinary academic field that 8
encompasses the history, politics, culture, contributions, and 9
achievements of people of African descent in the United States and 10
throughout the African diaspora. The legislature acknowledges that 11
this field of study expands the educational lens to include 12
multicultural approaches to learning as well as new and enhanced 13
historical narratives. The legislature recognizes that seeing 14
themselves represented through a multidimensional and asset-based 15
educational program has a positive impact on the identity, self-16
worth, academic engagement, and sense of belonging of African 17
American students, and that students of all backgrounds and 18
ethnicities deserve to learn about the contributions of African 19
Americans to the United States and to the world.20
H-3062.1
HOUSE BILL 2666
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Representatives Morgan, Scott, Reeves, Thomas, Hackney, Reed,
Street, Entenman, Berg, Taylor, Hill, Parshley, Macri, Ormsby,
Pollet, Donaghy, Obras, and Davis
Read first time 01/26/26. Referred to Committee on Education.
p. 1 HB 2666
(2)(a) The legislature acknowledges that legislation enacted in 1
2020 directed the office of the superintendent of public instruction 2
to convene a work group to develop recommendations for integrating 3
African American history, examinations of racism, and the history of 4
the civil rights movement into existing social studies curriculum 5
provided to students in grades seven through 12. The legislation 6
specified that the work group must review pertinent curriculum that 7
is available to school districts, and must include recommendations 8
for the professional development needed to support educators in 9
providing the instruction to students. 10
(b) The legislature recognizes that legislation enacted in 2021 11
directed the office of the superintendent of public instruction to 12
engage community members and key interested parties to develop a 13
clear definition and framework of African American studies to guide 14
instruction in grades seven through 12, develop a plan for aligning 15
African American studies across all content areas, and identify 16
related professional development opportunities. 17
(c) The legislature further finds that because the traditional 18
education system has focused so heavily on a eurocentric worldview, 19
more work needs to be done to thoughtfully and thoroughly prepare 20
public schools and educators in Washington to offer this rich field 21
of African American studies to its students. 22
(3) Therefore, the legislature intends to direct the office of 23
the superintendent of public instruction to convene a work group to 24
identify African American studies curricula in use in high schools 25
and colleges throughout the country and to report the list of 26
curricula to the legislature. The goal of the legislature is that 27
public schools in Washington will select a curriculum from the list 28
and use it to offer African American studies to students in grades 29
seven through 12. 30
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) As used in this section, "African 31
American studies" means an interdisciplinary approach, with the 32
rigors of scholarly inquiry, to analyze the history, culture, and 33
contributions of the people of African descent in the United States 34
and throughout the African diaspora.35
(2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall 36
convene a work group to identify African American studies curricula 37
and other instructional methods and materials for students in grades 38
seven through 12. 39
p. 2 HB 2666
(3) In identifying curricula and other instructional methods and 1
materials, the work group must: 2
(a) Review the report supported by funding under section 3
501(4)(o), chapter 334, Laws of 2021; 4
(b) Connect with faculty at historically black colleges and 5
universities; and 6
(c) Survey high school and college African American studies 7
courses and programs, including by connecting with faculty at 8
historically black colleges and universities. 9
(4) At a minimum, the membership of the work group must include:10
(a) A representative from each of the following entities:11
(i) The Washington state commission on African American affairs;12
(ii) The educational opportunity gap oversight and accountability 13
committee; 14
(iii) A statewide organization representing teachers;15
(iv) A statewide organization representing principals;16
(v) The educational service district serving the most students;17
(vi) A community education group; 18
(vii) A faith-based community organization; 19
(viii) The national urban league; and 20
(ix) The national association for the advancement of colored 21
people; and 22
(b) At least one individual who meets each of the following 23
requirements: 24
(i) A dean of education from a state institution of higher 25
education; 26
(ii) A student leader in a public middle or high school; and27
(iii) A family member or guardian of a public school student who 28
is invested in the leadership of the school. 29
(5) By December 1, 2027, and in accordance with RCW 43.01.036, 30
the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall report 31
to the appropriate committees of the legislature with a summary of 32
the activities conducted by the work group and with the list of 33
identified African American studies curricula and other instructional 34
methods and materials for students in grades seven through 12.35
(6) This section expires July 1, 2028. 36
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Black education matters.37
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