Maryland State Senate Bill SB304 (link here), aims to make our public school curriculum more diverse and better reflect Asian American experiences and contributions. It would require the State Board of Education to develop curriculum for units of instruction on Asian American history in public schools in Maryland, while allowing local boards to determine the amount of instruction and implementation of these standards. When passed, Maryland would become the third state in the country to require the teaching of Asian American history in its public schools.

America's history is rich and diverse, yet the contributions of Asian Americans to American history are taught incompletely, if at all, throughout our state’s schools. SB304 seeks to address this problem by ensuring that a unit of Asian American history is taught at least once during elementary, middle and high school.

A more complete curriculum that treats Asian American history as an integral part of our state’s and our nation’s history is needed to combat the surging racism, anti-Asian hate, and violence against Asian Americans during the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes events in Asian American history, the accomplishments and challenges of Asian Americans, the roles of Asian American communities in the advancement of civil rights from the 18th century and onward, and the contribution of Asian Americans towards the economic, social, political, and cultural development of the United States.

Join us in supporting this important bill by signing this petition. Your support can make a big difference. Get Asian American history rightfully recognized as American history!