Elected officers and advocates collect at Metropolis Corridor to have a good time $2.5 million in funding for AAPI curriculum. Photograph courtesy of workplace of Council Member Sandra Ung.
Queens Council Members Shekar Krishnan, Linda Lee, Sandra Ung and Julie Gained gathered on the steps of Metropolis Corridor Wednesday afternoon alongside Manhattan Council Member Carlina Rivera to have a good time the “historic” $2.5 million finances funding to help the implementation of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) historical past curriculum in NYC faculties.
The elected officers had been joined by representatives from various AAPI and immigrant teams on the steps of Metropolis Corridor, together with the Chinese language American Planning Council, Korean Neighborhood Providers, South Asian Youth Motion (SAYA), Asian American / Asian Analysis Institute (AAARI), Asian American Training Challenge (AAEP).
Credit score John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit
Advocates celebrated the inclusion of the Training Fairness Motion Plan within the recently-passed FY2026 finances, which allocates $2.5 million to advance the AAPI research curriculum in public faculties throughout town. The Metropolis Council voted unanimously to approve the $116 billion finances Monday.
A variety of elected officers celebrated the inclusion of the Training Fairness Motion Plan within the finances, together with Krishnan, who described the measure as an “important step” in making certain all historical past is “taught in our classrooms.”
“I understand firsthand the importance of this curriculum,” Krishnan said, including that the finances additionally delivered “big wins” for households, faculties and immigrant communities by offering funding for expanded providers in metropolis libraries alongside funding for a “historic” common little one care pilot program.
Gained, in the meantime, stated the AAPI curriculum represents a “meaningful step” towards enriching public faculty schooling in New York Metropolis.
“This initiative will supplement the existing Black and Latino studies curricula, offering students a more inclusive and accurate understanding of our city’s rich and diverse history. Every child deserves to learn about the communities that have shaped New York City, and how our histories are deeply connected,” Gained stated in an announcement.
Ung stated AAPI historical past is commonly missed in US historical past lessons and stated the funding will assist guarantee college students have a deeper understanding of American historical past.
Credit score John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit
“The rich and complex history of the Asian American community is often overlooked when we discuss United States history. This funding is about helping students from all backgrounds develop a deeper understanding of their classmates, their neighbors, and the diverse city they live in,” Ung said.
Lee famous that over 1.2 million members of the AAPI neighborhood name New York Metropolis residence and stated funding a brand new curriculum pays tribute to the “vital contributions” that the AAPI neighborhood makes to town.
“As one of the first Korean Americans to serve on the Council, I’m proud to join my colleagues in securing $2.5 million in the city budget to support the development of an AAPI curriculum in our schools,” Lee stated in an announcement. “By introducing AAPI studies, we’re fostering a more inclusive and enriching educational environment.”
John Chin, interim dean at AAARI, stated the funding will assist town’s schooling replicate the variety of New York Metropolis. Chin stated AAARI has partnered with the Asian American Training Challenge to assist convey the the brand new curriculum into lecture rooms throughout town by way of instructor coaching and student-led storytelling.
“With dedicated support for teacher training and student-led storytelling, we’re building a model that centers local communities and gives students a voice,” Chin stated in an announcement.
Credit score John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, in the meantime, stated in an announcement that can be certain that college students throughout town see themselves mirrored of their research.
“Building on the success of the Black Studies and Latine Studies curricula, the Council is proud to invest $2.5 million in the city budget to develop and promote an AAPI curriculum,” Adams stated. “These educational materials, advanced in partnership with our community partners, will ensure our scholars see themselves reflected in their education, and that our educators are equipped with the tools to teach AAPI history.”
