Bill Text: DE SB297 | 2023-2024 | 152nd General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: An Act To Amend Title 14 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Diversity And Inclusivity In Education.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-05-22 - Assigned to Education Committee in House [SB297 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2023-SB297-Draft.html
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SPONSOR: |
Sen. Townsend & Sen. Sturgeon & Rep. Phillips & Rep. Bush |
DELAWARE STATE SENATE
152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE BILL NO. 297
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN EDUCATION.
WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes the contributions of generations of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities who have enriched and strengthened this state and nation; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes that it is impossible to tell the story of American life, strength, and resilience without telling the stories, histories, and perspectives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; and
WHEREAS, teaching students about Asian American and Pacific Islander history and contributions is an important response to the hateful rhetoric and violence the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has experienced in recent years, and a preventive measure to guard against such rhetoric and violence in the future; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, at least one state specifically deleted language regarding the Asian American and Pacific Islander community from its laws relating to diversity and inclusivity in education; and
WHEREAS, in response to that deletion, several other states have undertaken or are undertaking efforts to explicitly include the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in their laws on diversity and inclusivity in education; and
WHEREAS, Delaware is stronger and more resilient because of our diversity and when all people are treated with dignity and respect; and
WHEREAS, the push for diversity and inclusivity in education should include not only the Asian American and Pacific Islander community but also all racial, cultural, and ethnic groups.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend § 122 of Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows and by redesignating accordingly:
§ 122. Rules and regulations.
(b) The Department shall prescribe rules and regulations:
(7) Ensuring that the implementation of content standards is aligned to a culturally responsive education with instruction that fosters academic achievement and cultural competence, intentionally acknowledges and values diversity of contributions and the experiences of all learners, and provides opportunities for individuals to see themselves and others in their learning, including by updating the Department’s current Diversity Regulation to include a non-exhaustive list of racial, ethnic, and cultural groups and promoting the integration of their contributions into local K-12 curricula.
SYNOPSIS
This Act acknowledges the importance of diversity and inclusivity in education by requiring the Department of Education to update content standards and regulations using a non-exhaustive list of racial, ethnic, and cultural groups.
Author: Senator Townsend
