Memo: Black History and Literature Curriculum

Eleven states mandate that public schools teach some form of Black history and cultural studies for grades K-12 (Figure 1). Mandates vary in their specific requirements. CO, MS, SC and TN have a general requirement to include Black history and cultural studies in the overall curriculum. MS specifically requires the State Board of Education to work with the Mississippi Civil Rights Education Commission to implement Black history and cultural studies curricula. AR, DE, FL, IL, NJ, NY, and RI list specific aspects of Black history and cultural studies that are required. Examples include:

• the history of African people before slavery in America
• political events that led to slavery in America
• the impact of slavery on African Americans today
• African American figures in history, science, economics, politics, and culture.

RI’s Amistad Commission, which designs and implements Black history and cultural studies education, also provides training for teachers on the subject matter (The Amistad Commission n.d.).

No state has a mandate for a Black literature curriculum. However, DE does require the inclusion of the contribution of African Americans to literature in their Black history curriculum requirement.

Figure 1. States that require a Black history curriculum. These requirements vary in implementation, with some requiring a board or commission to develop the curriculum while others list specific topics that must be taught. States in solid yellow have mandates to generally include Black history in their curricula. States with yellow and white stripes have mandates to include specific topics on Black history in their curricula.

Literature Cited 

The 1696 Historical Commission, RI S 2418 (2014). https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/PublicLaws/law14/res14/res14397.htm. 

Amistad Bill, NJSA 57:16A-86. (2002). https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=Publish:10.1048/Enu. 

The Amistad Commission (n.d.) The Amistad Commission. New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 27, 2026. https://www.nj.gov/education/amistad/. 

Ark. Code Ann. § 6-6-121. (2021). Link. 

Consolidated Laws of N.Y. § 16-1-17-801 (2003). https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/801. 

Colo. Revised Stat. § 22-7-1005. (2008). Link. 

Del. Code § 41-14-4143. (2021). https://delcode.delaware.gov/title14/c041/sc01/index.html#4143. 

Fla. Stat. § XLVII-1003.42 (2024). https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=1000-1099/1003/Sections/1003.42.html. 

Ill. Compiled Stat. § 105-5/27-530. (2025). Link. 

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-193. (2006). Link. 

S.C. Code of Laws § 59-29-55. (1984). https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c029.php. 

Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-1006. (2022). Link.