Virginia Delegate Proposes Inclusive History Education Bill for K-12 Schools

A new bill introduced in the Virginia General Assembly seeks to reshape the way history and social science are taught in public elementary and secondary schools across the Commonwealth.

House Bill 614, filed by Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) during the 2026 regular session, would require Virginia’s K-12 history and social science curricula to explicitly include the contributions and experiences of historically marginalized communities.

If enacted, the legislation would ensure that instructional materials, textbooks, and assessments address the perspectives of groups such as racial and ethnic minorities; immigrants and refugees; women; people with disabilities; LGBTQ+ individuals; religious minorities; and people from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. The bill allows the Board of Education to include additional communities as deemed appropriate.

Delegate Rasoul stated that the goal of the legislation is to promote comprehensive, accurate, and inclusive education that affirms the diverse fabric of Virginia’s population and gives students a more holistic understanding of history.

Key Provisions of the Bill Include:

• Curriculum Updates: By March 1, 2027, and during future curriculum reviews, the Board of Education must revise instructional guides to reflect the political, cultural, and social contributions of historically marginalized communities.
• Expert Consultation: Updates must involve historians, scholars, and community organizations with relevant expertise.
• Inclusive Materials: Textbooks and other instructional materials must include affirming and accurate coverage of these communities.
• Supplemental Resources: Subject to available funding, the Department of Education would curate resources aligned with various cultural and historical observances (e.g., Black History Month, Women’s History Month, LGBTQ+ History Month).
• Teacher Training: Free professional development would be created to support teachers in delivering culturally responsive instruction.
• Assessment Changes: By the 2028–2029 school year, statewide history and social science assessments would include questions on the contributions of marginalized communities.

A provision in the bill also calls for the advance release of instructional guides and pacing tools at least 12 months before new standards take effect to ensure school divisions are properly prepared. If deadlines are missed, the Department of Education would be required to report the delay and propose a corrective action plan.

HB614 is currently awaiting assignment to a House committee for further consideration.