Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB2927

Creates the Inclusive History Act. Establishes the Inclusive History Commission to (i) address the deficiencies and inadequacies in both perspective and content in traditional history course material and instruction and (ii) develop multiperspective, inclusive, and comprehensive standards that a school may use as a guide in replacing or developing its curricula for history education. Sets forth the membership of the Commission. Contains provisions concerning meetings, duties, and reporting. Repeals the provisions on December 31, 2026. Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires schools to suspend all instruction in history education, with exceptions. Not later than June 30, 2026, requires the State Superintendent of Education to provide to schools instructional guidelines and standards based on the recommendations of the Commission so that schools may develop alternative curricula to replace traditional course material and instruction to ensure that students obtain a multiperspective, inclusive, and comprehensive understanding about history. Provides that beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, schools shall resume instruction in history, which shall require the use of age-appropriate discussion, textbooks, and other course material that reframe the study of history by presenting to students an examination of history through the inclusion of diverse perspectives, contrary interpretations, and the viewpoints of various groups of people whose voices have traditionally been excluded from the conventional teaching of history. Effective immediately.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall conduct research using mixed methodologies to understand the experience of educators teaching history to students across all grade levels in accordance with applicable learning standards and mandated units of study. Requires the State Board of Education to report its findings and recommendations from this research to the General Assembly by December 15, 2026. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall provide professional learning opportunities for educators across all grade levels to further support the inclusive, inquiry-based teaching of history in schools.

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