Jones Legislation Ensure Black History Taught in Public Schools and Universities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, passed legislation to guarantee that African American History is taught in public schools, community colleges, and public universities.

“You cannot have American History without African American History, and too often it is pushed aside or ignored in schools and colleges,” Jones said. “Students are going throughout their education without learning about the brave black men and women who fought injustice in our country and their history.”

House Bill 4346 requires students to learn about African American History at least once before they complete 8^th grade and again before completing high school. The legislation also requires public universities and community colleges to offer a course on African American History. HB 4346 also allows this requirement to be met by schools and colleges with an online course. Jones’ legislation recently passed out of the State House of Representatives with overwhelming support.

“I want to make sure students know our rich history, and the struggle it took get where we are today,” Jones said. “Hopefully learning about leaders like Frederick Douglas, Dorothy Height, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will inspire our students to continue fighting social injustice in our country.”