New York bill sets stage for statewide AANHPI history

New York bill sets stage for statewide AANHPI history in public schools

https://qns.com/2025/06/new-york-bill-aanhpi-history-in-public-schools/

The New York State Legislature has passed the AANHPI Education Equity Act, a bill aimed at evaluating and improving how Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history is taught in public schools statewide. The legislation now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul for consideration.

Sponsored by Assembly Member Grace Lee and State Senator John Liu, the measure (A8463E/S7855E) directs the state Education Commissioner to conduct a comprehensive survey to assess the current status of AANHPI instruction in K-12 classrooms. The law also calls for the creation of an AANHPI Advisory Committee to recommend strategies for integrating the history, culture and civic contributions of AANHPI communities into the state’s curriculum.

The bill’s passage marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to address educational gaps and representation for one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in New York. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, over 2 million Asian Americans and more than 60,000 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals reside in New York State, including large immigrant communities in Queens, Manhattan and parts of Long Island.