AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

HB 5836 requires every high school in Rhode Island to offer a yearlong "ethnic studies" course starting with the 2026-27 school year. This course would study American history and the experiences of racialized communities, including specific histories such as Native American, Black, Asian American, and Latin American. It would become a social studies core credit and a high school graduation requirement for students graduating in 2030 and beyond. The bill also establishes a student-led ethnic studies leadership council to oversee curriculum development and implementation.