In a monumental move toward inclusive education, Colorado has passed a new state law requiring all K-12 public schools to teach Black history as a fundamental part of their curriculum. Read more inside.
Starting July 1, 2026, Black history will no longer be treated as an optional topic or elective lesson. Instead, it will be embedded into the core of how students are taught to understand the world.
This historic legislation ensures that students across the state will receive a more accurate and complete picture of American history. One that includes the depth, resilience, and contributions of Black Americans. From the Harlem Renaissance to the Civil Rights Movement, from the painful legacy of slavery to the enduring power of resistance, Colorado’s students will engage with Black history not as a footnote, but as a foundational element of their learning.
The shift comes after years of advocacy from educators, parents, and community leaders who have long emphasized that representation in the classroom matters. Studies have shown that diverse and truthful educational content not only boosts academic performance but also helps foster empathy, understanding, and critical thinking among all students.
This is more than a symbolic victory. It’s a tangible policy that aims to close the gaps in historical knowledge and cultural representation. Until now, much of Black American history has been inconsistently taught or relegated to short lessons during Black History Month. With this new law, Black history will be integrated throughout the academic year, allowing students to see the impact and influence of Black Americans woven into the broader fabric of the nation’s story.
The law’s implementation will likely include updates to teaching materials, professional development for educators, and the development of standards to guide how Black history is taught at every grade level. As curriculum committees begin the work of rewriting lesson plans, the hope is that this law becomes a model for other states seeking to foster a more inclusive, truthful, and empowering educational experience.
Colorado’s decision marks a bold step toward equity in education. By placing Black history in the core curriculum, the state is not just rewriting textbooks. It’s helping to rewrite the future.
That’s major.
