The 21st Show

Asian American History required in IL schools

 
In this Monday, May 10, 2021 students walk past a display for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Farmington High School in Farmington, Conn.

In this Monday, May 10, 2021 students walk past a display for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Farmington High School in Farmington, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

In July 2021, Illinois passed the TEAACH Act which stands for Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History. It requires that Illinois public elementary and high schools include a unit on the history of Asian Americans in Illinois and the Midwest, as well as the contribution of Asian Americans toward advancing civil rights from the 19th century-onward in its curriculum. It marks Illinois as the first state in the nation to mandate such teachings. 

Guests:

Grace Pai 
Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago

Teresa Mok
Licensed Clinical Psychologist located in Urbana 

Monica Noraian 
Acting Director, Cecilia J. Lauby Teacher Education Center at Illinois State University