Arizona Students Demand Inclusion of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History

Maria Chacon and Jeannine Kuropatkin, seasoned educators with extensive experience in Arizona, are advocating for Senate Bill 1301. This legislation aims to integrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history into the K–12 curriculum across the state.

Both educators emphasize that this initiative is not politically motivated nor financially burdensome. SB1301 aligns with Arizona’s scheduled 2028 revision of Social Studies Standards, presenting a timely opportunity for meaningful reform.

Currently, Arizona’s curriculum only references “Asian American” once throughout K–12 education, specifically in third grade. There is a notable absence of coverage for “Native Hawaiians” or “Pacific Islanders,” a gap that impacts over 35,000 AANHPI students in Arizona. This lack of representation deprives these students of seeing their histories and contributions within the broader American narrative.

Chacon and Kuropatkin recount the harmful effects of this omission. They share the experience of a Filipino American student who felt invisible due to the absence of her culture in educational content. Another student, a Chinese American honors student, faced the pressure of stereotypes, overshadowing her achievements with preconceived notions of her ethnicity.

The absence of AANHPI history contributes to a climate where derogatory language and misconceptions thrive. Data from Act to Change reveals that 80% of Asian American students report being bullied, often in the presence of adults. This educational void enables intolerance and perpetuates misinformation.

Fortunately, there are already resources available for Arizona educators. The Asian American Education Project offers over 75 lesson modules addressing crucial topics, including the Gila River and Poston internment camps, expanding awareness of AANHPI contributions and the complexities of U.S. history.

Arizona has successfully implemented significant curriculum changes in the past, covering topics from Native American history to Holocaust studies. Chacon and Kuropatkin argue that SB1301 is a necessary continuation of these efforts, advocating for a more inclusive educational environment.

They implore lawmakers to back SB1301. The potential benefits for all Arizona students are profound, while the costs associated with the bill are negligible. As advocates for change, they urge the state to embrace the full spectrum of its history.

Maria Chacon is an AEA member and a history teacher in Phoenix with over 18 years of experience.

Jeannine Kuropatkin is an AEA member, a curriculum writer, and a teacher of grades 7-12 social studies in Mesa for over 30 years.