AR SB519

Commissioner of Education shall update materials and resources for teaching African-American historical contributions in K-12 curricula, with emphasis on civil rights leaders including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his pursuit of justice in civil society.

African-American history teaching requirement shall be taught in conjunction with corresponding state and federal holidays, but this requirement shall not limit teaching only to those holidays.

Removes January 19 (Robert E. Lee's Birthday) from the joint state holiday with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., establishing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday alone as the official holiday on the third Monday in January.

Designates Robert E. Lee Day as a separate state memorial day to be commemorated by gubernatorial proclamation on the second Saturday in October.

Department of Education shall develop curriculum materials relating to Arkansas and the American Civil War in advance of the 2018-2019 school year, emphasizing civilian and military leadership and how lessons from that era can inform contemporary society.