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Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — State Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, introduced a bill this month that would require Illinois schools to teach Native American curriculum starting in the 2023–24 school year.
The legislation aims to inspire students to respect the dignity of all races and peoples and to forever abandon discrimination, West said in a news release.
“This legislation will ensure that our students learn about the Native American experience and contributions to the development of our country,” he said in the release.
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The legislation takes steps to guarantee that curriculum developed by the Illinois State Board of Education will be informed by federally recognized Native American tribes and individuals, especially those with ties to Illinois and the Midwest. The curriculum would be implemented by school districts and monitored by the regional superintendent of schools.
“This legislation is a first step towards ensuring we are teaching our children how to properly respect the heritage and culture of Native Americans,” West said.
House Bill 4548 was filed on Jan. 13 and assigned to the House Rules Committee late last week.