TRENTON, NJ – The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee has advanced legislation to include Latino and Hispanic history in the curriculum for New Jersey students from kindergarten through grade 12. This move was led by Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Senator Brian Stack, and Senator Angela V. McKnight.
A study by Johns Hopkins University highlighted that 87% of critical Latino history topics are not adequately covered in textbooks, while the 13% included are often limited to five sentences or less. Senator Ruiz emphasized the importance of accurate representation of Latino contributions to various societal movements in the educational curriculum. The goal of the legislation is to diversify the history curriculum and provide recognition to Latinos who have significantly impacted the nation.
Senator Stack noted that nearly a quarter of New Jersey’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. He stressed that for educational environments to truly reflect community diversity, Latino and Hispanic history must be integrated into classroom curriculum. This integration aims to enhance the richness of the educational experience in New Jersey public schools.
Senator McKnight emphasized the necessity of a diverse curriculum for a more inclusive future.
