Pupil instruction: treatment of African Americans.

State Senator Richardson's proposal to expand California's history-social science curriculum would add African American experiences and contributions during the Spanish colonial period, Gold Rush era, and Antebellum period to the state's educational framework. The measure directs the Instructional Quality Commission to consider incorporating these topics when revising curriculum standards or adopting new instructional materials after January 1, 2026.

The bill specifies that curriculum materials should address African Americans' encounters with discriminatory laws, obstacles to land ownership, and efforts to establish economic and social stability in California during these historical periods. This addition joins existing provisions that guide the inclusion of other historical perspectives, including those of Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders, in the state's history-social science framework.

The measure maintains the established process for curriculum updates, working through the Instructional Quality Commission's existing review and recommendation procedures. While the bill requires consideration of these topics during the next curriculum revision cycle, it does not mandate specific content or appropriate additional funding for implementation.