Black History Matters Act

To direct the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to conduct a study on Black history education efforts in public elementary and secondary schools, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Black History Matters Act 2. Study and report on Black history education (a) Study (1) In general During the period described in paragraph (2), the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (referred to in this Act as the Director (2) Period The Director shall, with respect to the study required under paragraph (1)— (A) begin such study not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (B) complete such study not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Elements In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Director shall— (1) identify States and local educational agencies that require Black history education as part of the curriculum taught in public elementary and secondary schools; (2) identify States and local educational agencies that do not require Black history education as part of the curriculum taught in public elementary and secondary schools; (3) assess the quality of Black history education provided by public elementary and secondary schools, including through the qualitative and quantitative analysis of such indicators as— (A) in-class discussion; (B) educational activities conducted outside the classroom, including homework assignments; and (C) project based learning; (4) assess the types and quality of instructional materials used to teach students about Black history; (5) examine the duration and comprehensiveness of any Black history-related courses or lessons provided by public elementary and secondary schools; and (6) analyze the approaches used by such schools to assess students’ knowledge of Black history, including the use of traditional and nontraditional assessments. (c) Report (1) In general Following the completion of the study under subsection (a), the Director shall prepare and submit to Congress a report on the results of the study. (2) Deadline for submittal The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted not later than 180 days after the completion of the study under subsection (a)(2)(B). (d) Definitions In this Act: (1) ESEA terms The terms elementary school local educational agency secondary school State 20 U.S.C. 7801 (2) Black history The term Black history (3) Black history education The term Black history education (A) to improve students’ awareness and understanding of the history of people of African descent, especially as it relates to United States history; (B) to educate students on the lessons of chattel slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, and the Civil Rights movement as a means to raise awareness about the importance of preventing genocide, hate, and bigotry against any group of people; and (C) to study the history of racism, its deep historical roots, the use of discrimination and propaganda that target the Black people, and the evolving nature of white supremacy over time. (4) Project based learning The term project based learning

Summary: Black History Matters Act This bill directs the National Museum of African American History and Culture to study and report on Black history education in public elementary and secondary schools. Among other elements, the study must (1) identify the states and local educational agencies that require (and those that do not require) Black history education as part of the curriculum taught in public elementary and secondary schools, (2) assess the quality of Black history education provided by schools, and (3) assess the types and quality of instructional material used to teach students about Black history.