Text of MD SJ 5 (2025)

*sj0005* SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 5 F5 5lr3442 CF HJ 5 By: Senator Lewis Young Introduced and read first time: January 27, 2025 Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION A Senate Joint Resolution concerning 1 Elementary and Secondary Education – Curriculum – Importance of Diversity 2 FOR the purpose of acknowledging the importance of teaching a culturally diverse 3 curriculum in elementary and secondary schools in the State; providing that 4 curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools should include the history of 5 communities that have experienced discrimination; affirming the State of 6 Maryland’s commitment to a complete education; and generally relating to the 7 curriculum taught in elementary and secondary schools in the State. 8 WHEREAS, Curricula taught in Maryland’s elementary and secondary schools has 9 continuously underrepresented communities that have experienced discrimination; and 10 WHEREAS, A society’s progress depends on elementary and secondary education 11 that includes curricula about the history of communities that have experienced 12 discrimination; and 13 WHEREAS, Curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools should include 14 information about diverse history and cultures; and 15 WHEREAS, It is crucial to address the issue of representation and inclusion in 16 education to ensure that all children have an equal opportunity to receive a complete 17 education; and 18 WHEREAS, Curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools that includes the 19 experiences of communities that have been subject to discrimination can help cultivate 20 empathy and compassion; and 21 WHEREAS, Curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools that includes the 22 experiences of communities that have been subject to discrimination can help break down 23 stereotypes and prejudices that translate into real world harms; and 24 2 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 5 WHEREAS, Understanding communities that have experienced discrimination can 1 help elementary and secondary students learn to interact in and live as adults in a diverse 2 society; and 3 WHEREAS, It is the intent of the General Assembly that all of its citizens feel 4 represented in the curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools in the State; now, 5 therefore, be it 6 RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the State of 7 Maryland acknowledges the importance of a complete education; and be it further 8 RESOLVED, That it is the policy of the State of Maryland that elementary and 9 secondary education should be provided in a nondiscriminatory, inclusive manner; and be 10 it further 11 RESOLVED, That it is the policy of the State of Maryland that curricula taught in 12 elementary and secondary schools encompass groups of people that have experienced 13 discrimination based on their disability, ethnicity, gender, indigenous American Tribal 14 affiliation, race, religion or faith, and sexual orientation; and be it further 15 RESOLVED, That the curricula taught in elementary and secondary schools in the 16 State should reflect the breadth and diversity of Marylanders’ lived experiences; and be it 17 further 18 RESOLVED, That the State of Maryland is committed to providing robust civic, 19 cultural, and history education so that its citizens are engaged and informed members of 20 our community; and be it further 21 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of 22 Legislative Services to the Honorable Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland; the Honorable 23 William C. Ferguson, IV, President of the Senate of Maryland; the Honorable Adrienne A. 24 Jones, Speaker of the House of Delegates; Dr. Joshua L. Michael, President of the State 25 Board of Education; Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools; and the 26 presidents of the twenty–four county boards of education. 27