On September 23, 2025, CLE submitted testimony to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Education in favor of S.371/H.655. The bill would require all Massachusetts public schools to teach students the “accurate histories, writings, and contributions of cultural and ethnic groups that have been historically underrepresented, marginalized, or excluded.” This includes, for example, a history and social studies curriculum that teaches accurate histories and experiences of underrepresented groups, including the history of immigration, slavery and segregation, and how historical practices relate to issues affecting contemporary society.
In their testimony, CLE pointed to research findings that a culturally, racially, and linguistically inclusive curriculum for all students leads to better student engagement and motivation, academic achievement, and the development of higher-order critical thinking skills. As CLE wrote in their testimony, “When students are called to identify, analyze, and solve real world problems in culturally competent learning environments, that experience not only validates students’ individual cultural strengths, but also prioritizes rigorous intellectual engagement.”
Read CLE’s comments here and follow the bill’s progress in the MA state legislature here.
