Researcher: JM Page 1 4/26/22
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5282
AN ACT CONCERNING THE INCLUSION OF ASIAN AMERICAN
AND PACIFIC ISLANDER STUDIES IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL
CURRICULUM.
SUMMARY
Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, this bill (1) requires all local
and regional boards of education to include Asian American and Pacific
Islander (AAPI) studies in their social studies curriculum and (2) adds
AAPI studies to the state’s existing required program of instruction for
public schools as part of the social studies curriculum. As with other
required subject matter areas under existing law, the bill requires the
State Board of Education (SBE) to make AAPI curriculum materials
available to help boards develop their instructional programs.
The bill requires boards of education, in their AAPI curriculum, to at
least include a focus on the history of Asian American and Pacific
Islanders in the state, region, and United States, and their contributions
(1) towards advancing civil rights from the 19th century to the present
day; (2) as individuals, in government, the arts, humanities, and
sciences; and (3) as communities, to the economic, cultural, social, and
political development of the United States.
In developing and implementing the new AAPI curriculum, the bill
allows boards to (1) use existing and appropriate public or private
materials, personnel, and resources, including curriculum materials that
SBE must make available under the bill and (2) accept gifts, grants, and
donations, including in-kind donations. The curriculum must also meet
SBE’s statewide subject matter content standards.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2022, for the new curriculum requirement
for boards of education; July 1, 2025 for the addition of AAPI studies to
the required program of instruction. 2022HB-05282-R000632-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JM Page 2 4/26/22
COMMITTEE ACTION
Education Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference - APP
Yea 36 Nay 3 (03/11/2022)
Appropriations Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 50 Nay 0 (04/07/2022)