The Pierce Twins Legislation
New Bill Introduced: HB2401
Amends the Instructional Materials Article of the School Code. Provides that a school district (including a charter school) shall require that books that are included as a part of any course, material, instruction, reading assignment, or other school curricula related to literature during the school year or that appear on summer reading lists must include books that are written by diverse authors, including, but not limited to, authors who are African American, women, Native American, LatinX, and Asian. Provides that reading material may not perpetuate bias against persons based on specified categories. Provides that for any school district utilizing federal funds under Title I, Part A of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the selection of each book to be included in a reading assignment, course material and instruction, or other school curricula related to literature must first receive prior approval from the school board before the book may be included. Provides that the criteria for the approval or denial of a book shall be determined by school board policy, but the minimum requirement is that the book may not be approved by the school board if the book contains language or material that is derogatory or racist or incites hate against any persons. Provides for rulemaking and guidelines. Effective immediately.
The Pierce Twins Legislation
HB2401
Illinois State Representative La Shawn K. Ford introduced Bill HB3254 which will mandate that schools throughout the state of Illinois will include diverse authors of all backgrounds (i.e. the Black community, women, Native Americans, LatinX, etc.) into the curriculum for K-12. The Bill will be called The Pierce Twins Law.
Provides that a school district (including a charter school) shall require that books that are included as a part of any course, material, instruction, reading assignment, or other school curricula related to literature during the school year or that appear on summer reading lists must include books that are written by diverse authors, including, but not limited to, authors who are African American, women, Native American, LatinX, and Asian.
We are looking forward to these Bills passing next session because it will start the process of chipping away at systemic racism in our country, starting with children’s education. As we continue the work to end miseducation and systemic racism in our schools, requiring diverse reading materials that provide a sense of self value and worth to our children of all backgrounds are imperative. Building healthy race relations among all children is urgent. The Pierce Twins legislation assures Illinois schools must mandate diverse reading materials while removing derogatory reading assignments towards children of color and/or reading materials that use language that feeds into racism and hate. We believe this legislation will assist in helping with race relations among K-12 and build healthy self esteem in all children.
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