As this year’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month comes to a close, the urgency to integrate AANHPI history into public education remains.  

For decades, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played integral roles in shaping the United States. Yet, their stories are too often left out of our classrooms. It’s time to change that. 

This week the Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Mazie K. Hirono and in the House by Congresswoman Grace Meng. 

A History Too Often Ignored 

The U.S. has had deep and longstanding ties with Asia and the Pacific, but these connections are often overlooked in textbooks. Asians were part of the United States even before many white European immigrants arrived yet despite this, AAPI contributions are rarely mentioned in K–12 curricula. 

Committee of 100 has long advocated for change. In 2022, we published comprehensive research on the adoption of AAPI curriculum standards across all 50 states. This work, freely available on our website, underscores the patchwork of inclusion and the urgent need for federal legislation like this. 

The Power of Representation — In the Words of Scholars and Advocates 

Committee of 100 sat with some of our Next Generation Leaders who are in and around the education space to get their take on this proposed bill:   

“Teaching AANHPI history is an essential step toward challenging the stereotypes that often fuel racial hatred and division,” said Dan Chen, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Richmond.   “When we understand the full scope of their experiences—both the struggles and the triumphs—we begin to see Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders not as monolithic groups, but as individuals with unique histories and contributions.”   

“Teaching AANHPI history in schools gives students the context to understand how today’s stereotypes and inequalities were formed. These lessons are critical not just for representation, but for helping all students make sense of the social and political dynamics around them. You can’t challenge injustice without knowing how it came to be—and that starts with history,” said Emma Xiaolu Zang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Sociology, Biostatistics and Global Affairs, Yale University. 

“History is not a monolithic narrative. By focusing predominantly on one perspective, schools provide an incomplete understanding of the past. Lack of representation in the curriculum can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to the perception that AANHPI individuals are ‘perpetual foreigners,’” said Keisha Brown, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, Tennessee State University and Co-founder and Co-CEO, Black China Caucus.  

It’s Personal – Why This Matters  

“As both a Chinese American and an educator, I’ve seen firsthand the gaps in how American history is taught. Growing up in Pennsylvania, I rarely saw stories that reflected the experiences of people who looked like me,” said Jack Zhang, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of Kansas. “It was not until college that I learned how Asian Americans have contributed to—and shaped—the American story. Including AAPI history in public school curricula is not just about representation; it’s about accuracy, completeness, and justice.  

 “The inclusion of AAPI curriculum in our public schools is critical to teaching comprehensive and accurate history – one that reflects all who have contributed to the building of this nation.  This legislation resonates deeply with me – it is an acknowledgment of my own history as well as my great-grandfather’s courageous journey to forge a new life on these shores. It is also a hope for a future where my own children see their own identities reflected in their education lessons,” said Yvonne So, a mom, columnist and podcaster.  

Why It Matters – For Everyone 

The reasons to teach AANHPI history go far beyond cultural enrichment: 

• It helps prevent prejudice and violence: Anti-Asian hate crimes surged by 339% in 2021. Teaching the real history of Asian Americans helps dismantle the myths and ignorance that fuel this violence. 

• It sheds light on colonial legacies: Chinese Americans continue to grapple with the long-term impacts of U.S. colonialism on identity and self-worth. Understanding that history is key to healing and progress. 

• It empowers identity and belonging: Students of AAPI heritage — like Chinese Americans discovering Wong Kim Ark’s legal triumph — can grow up proud of who they are. That confidence benefits everyone. 

• And importantly, it’s not just about AAPI students. All students benefit when they are exposed to a fuller, more accurate version of American history. These lessons foster empathy, critical thinking, and civic understanding — tools essential to any democratic society. 

Committee of 100 Stands Behind This Bill 

As a longtime advocate for equity in education and representation, Committee of 100 wholeheartedly supports the Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act. We urge Congress to pass this legislation and ensure that every student in America has the opportunity to learn a more complete story of our nation — one that includes the voices and experiences of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. 

Together, we can build an educational system — and a country — that truly reflects the diverse fabric of America.