The Passage Of SB 5963A Is A Step Forward for Inclusive Education in New York, but Critical Work Remains

ALBANY (June 9, 2023) — Today, the R.E.A.C.H. (Representing and Empowering AANHPI Community History) Coalition issued the following statement on yesterday’s passage of Senate Bill 5963A:

“Accurate and meaningful representation for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities starts with education. As New York’s schools prepare our children to be informed, thoughtful citizens of a diverse society, it is critical that children of all backgrounds see themselves and their histories reflected in what they learn. S5963A would require the New York State Education Department Commissioner to establish AANHPI history and civic impact curriculum in public school districts and is a strong step forward in realizing that need for AANHPI students in our state.

Our experience as advocates, educators, and members of marginalized communities, however, has taught us that implementation of such measures without a strong mandate is a difficult process, and that accountability and change require conscious effort. Unfortunately, it is too often the case that the students who need this representation the most are in schools that require the most oversight to achieve it. Accordingly, we see S5963A as the beginning of our efforts, rather than the end.

We are proud of our historic efforts this legislative session to bring our communities together in the fight for implementing AANHPI curriculum in all classrooms in NY. We look forward to continuing this shared work—alongside Senator John Liu, Assemblymember Grace Lee, and the other co-sponsors, whose leadership on this issue has been exemplary—in pursuit of stronger and more inclusive education for students of all communities.”

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R.E.A.C.H Coalition was formed in January 2023 to advocate for inclusive AANHPI education measures, including SB5963 (now S5963A) and A06579. The statewide coalition includes more than 170 students, parents, educators, and advocates, as well as more than 60 community-based organizations fighting for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander history. For more information about our work or to interview R.E.A.C.H. Coalition members and community advocates, please contact Kulsoom Tapal (ktapal@cacf.org).