African-American, Puerto Rican and Latino studies will be included in the public high school curriculum.

Governor Lamont has signed the bill into law requiring the state's school boards to begin offering the curriculum in January 2021.  The bill doesn't mandate that students take the courses.  Offering the course is mandated, but not part of graduation requirements.

The House approved the measure on a vote of 122-24, while the Senate unanimously gave approval of the bill.  The co-chairman of the General Assembly's Education Committee says the legislation will allow many students to identify with their cultural history and heritage.  Advocates hope it will also "help break down the barriers of prejudice that divide people."

The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education supports the concept but opposes specific curriculum mandates. 

Ridgefield Board of Education member Frances Walton asked for clarification about the bill during a CABE event after the legislative session ended.  She wanted to know if Districts can look at what's currently offered to make a curriculum meeting the requirement.  CABE officials say the bill was written in a way to give municipalities that flexibility.  The specifics of what a course would look like was not spelled out in the bill.

She also wanted to know how it would be offered, because there was some vague language.  CABE officials say current curriculum would not be replaced by a new mandate, but having the state Education Resource Center develop a course, it took the burden off local districts to devote resources to course development.  Walton asked if a district could incorporate online or virtual courses and was told that it would be a viable option.