The act designates the first week in February as "Black History Week". Instruction relating to Black History Week shall be taught to students in 6th grade and up during a week determined by each school district. The act lists the topics that shall be covered in such instruction, such as chattel slavery in the United States, the Civil Rights Movement, and significant black people in American history.
DESE shall develop a curriculum framework of instruction for studying black history based on the instructional topics specified in the act. Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, DESE shall conduct a pilot program to test the impact of the curriculum framework. The pilot program shall include up to 25 school districts or schools within a district. Participating districts shall determine the minimum amount of instruction time that qualifies as a unit of instruction satisfying the requirements of the act and provide a plan of professional development for teachers. Upon completion of the pilot program, DESE shall report the results to the General Assembly. The curriculum framework shall be made available to all school districts beginning in the 2026-27 school year, and all school districts shall participate in Black History Week by the 2027-28 school year.
OLIVIA SHANNON