What is TEAACH?
With its historic passage in April 2021, the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) Act amended Illinois School Code, ensuring that every public elementary and high school student in Illinois learns about the contributions of Asian Americans to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of the United States.
Beginning with the 2022-23 school year, every public elementary school and high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Asian American history, including the history of Asian Americans in Illinois and the Midwest, as well as the contributions of Asian Americans toward advancing civil rights from the 19th century onward.
Ensuring that Asian American history is taught in our schools lays a foundation for cross-cultural education for all students in Illinois and advances racial equity.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Chicago
“The curriculum must include the events of Asian American history, including the history of Asian Americans in Illinois and the Midwest, as well as the contributions of Asian Americans toward advancing civil rights from the 19th century onward. These events shall include the contributions made by individual Asian Americans in government and the arts, humanities, and sciences, as well as the contributions of Asian American communities to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of the United States.”
Why is it important to teach Asian American History?
Why Teach Asian American History - PBS
The Necessity of Teaching Asian American History - The American Historian
Links to information on the TEAACH Act:
Illinois Has Become The First State To Require The Teaching Of Asian American History - NPR
Illinois tackles anti-Asian hate with the TEAACH Act - Injustice Watch
