There are several pieces of legislation introduced each year in the state Legislature to require schools to teach the history other than basic world or United States history.

State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, is adding Italian history to that list with S.7618. The bill, like the others, would direct that state education commissioner to require curriculum or instruction in Italian history and civic impact in public schools.

“It is important to incorporate Italian-American History into public-school curriculum to help dispel the ignorance and negative stereotypes that have remained prevalent in our culture and allow students to know the positive impacts Italian-Americans have had on our culture and society,” Borrello wrote.

In just the 2023-24 legislative session there have been six such bills introduced:

¯ A02144, which would require teaching African American history and achievement

¯ A02559, which would require instruction in Asian American and Pacific Islander history for grades K through 12

¯ A06579, which would require the state education commissioner to establish Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and civic impact curriculum or instructions for school districts

¯ A07672, which would require LGBT awareness curriculum or instruction

¯ S00914, which would require instruction on the importance of Yu Gwan-Sun and her contribution as a globally recognized human rights activist

¯ S01254, which would require the state to develop and implement an expanded curriculum or instruction on the history of the labor movement in the United States

The bills rarely move out of committee and are largely symbolic. No such bills have been signed into law since 2021.