OLYMPIA — Legislation to ensure Washington students receive instruction on Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history was heard Wednesday in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.
Senate Bill 5574, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would require school districts to adopt policies ensuring instruction in Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history is included in one or more required social studies courses as part of regular curriculum review cycles.
Under the bill, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction would adopt revised social studies learning standards by Sept. 1, 2028, or when standards are next updated, whichever occurs later. Beginning in the 2029-30 school year, school districts would be required to provide instruction aligned with those standards in grades K-12, particularly when topics intersect with United States and Washington state history.
The legislation also requires school districts to publicly post their adopted policies and to submit annual reports beginning in 2030 confirming that instruction is planned, ongoing, and systematic. SB 5574 does not replace existing ethnic studies requirements or the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial curriculum but is intended to operate alongside current law.
“For too long, many students have not seen the full breadth of our shared history reflected in their classrooms,” Nobles said. “This bill helps ensure students learn a more complete and accurate account of the communities and experiences that have shaped Washington and our country.”
Follow the bill’s progress here.