RSB/2/18
Sponsored by Gus Sanders of Loretto High School
This legislation was filed in the Education category
Presented as part of the YIG Volunteer 2024 conference
| 1 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE TENNESSEE YMCA YOUTH LEGISLATURE |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Section 1: Terms in this act shall be defined as follows: |
| 4 | a) Native American History Education - Comprehensive instruction on the history, culture, and |
| 5 | experiences of Native American tribes and peoples, including but not limited to their contributions, |
| 6 | struggles, and resilience to American history. |
| 7 | b) Genocide - The deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, |
| 8 | religious, or national group. |
| 9 | c) Andrew Jackson - The seventh President of the United States, known for his genocidal policies |
| 10 | towards Native Americans, including the Indian Removal Act of 1830. |
| 11 | |
| 12 | Section 2: This act mandates that all public schools in Tennessee include mandatory |
| 13 | comprehensive education on Native American history and the genocide against Native Americans |
| 14 | during President Andrew Jackson's administration (1829-1837) as part of their curriculum. This |
| 15 | education should cover topics such as the Trail of Tears, Indian Removal Act, and the impact of |
| 16 | colonization on Native American communities. |
| 17 | |
| 18 | Section 3: The curriculum on Native American history and the genocide against Native Americans |
| 19 | by President Andrew Jackson shall be integrated into existing history, social studies, and civics |
| 20 | courses at appropriate grade levels. Schools shall ensure that this education is accurate, culturally |
| 21 | sensitive, and age-appropriate. |
| 22 | |
| 23 | Section 4: Teachers shall receive professional development and training to effectively teach Native |
| 24 | American history and the genocide against Native Americans by President Andrew Jackson. |
| 25 | Resources and materials shall be provided to support the implementation of this curriculum. |
| 26 | |
| 27 | Section 5: Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in Section 2 will result in penalties for |
| 28 | the school district. Penalties may include loss of state funding, accreditation sanctions, or other |
| 29 | disciplinary measures as determined by the Tennessee Department of Education. |
| 30 | |
| 31 | Section 6: All laws or parts of laws that conflict with this act are hereby repealed. |
| 32 | |
| 33 | Section 7: This law shall take effect as of August 1, 2024. |
| 34 |