CACF, CACF's Asian American Student Advocacy Project, and the REACH Coalition Urges Governor Hochul toSign the AANHPI Education Equity Act

REACH Coalition Steering Committee members pose with inclusive curriculum champions Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Grace Lee after Wednesday’s rally.

Implementing this legislation would create a first-of-its-kind AANHPI Advisory Committee to provide recommendations on how to incorporate AANHPI curriculum statewide.

New York, NY — On Wednesday, August 27, the R.E.A.C.H. (Representing and Empowering AANHPI Community History) Coalition hosted a community rally and press conference to celebrate the passage of the AANHPI Education Equity Act and urge Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the bill into law. The event brought together State Senator John Liu, Assemblymember Grace Lee, educators, students, and community leaders who highlighted this critical step towards inclusive and accurate curriculum in New York schools.

In June 2025, both the New York State Senate and Assembly passed the AANHPI Education Equity Act (S7855E/A8463E), a critical measure to understand how public schools across New York are teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history. The Act directs the New York State Education Commissioner to conduct a statewide survey to assess what schools currently teach about AANHPI history. It also establishes the first-ever AANHPI History Advisory Committee, charged with providing recommendations on how to better integrate AANHPI history into classrooms statewide.

The legislation was the culmination of years of organizing and advocacy by Senator John Liu, Assemblymember Grace Lee, and the R.E.A.C.H. Coalition. At the rally, speakers highlighted how signing the Act into law would be a milestone for education equity, ensuring that AANHPI students see themselves reflected in classrooms and that all New York students receive a more complete and inclusive understanding of American history The AANHPI Education Equity Act is separate from, but aligned with, S3334/A4638, a bill that calls for the development of an AANHPI curriculum consistent with New York state learning standards and State Education Department’s Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education Framework, and remains a priority for legislators and advocates.

Together, these efforts represent a multi-step approach to ensuring AANHPI history is accurately and fully reflected in New York classrooms.

“As our kids head back to school, we must ensure that what they learn reflects the true history of New York’s diverse AANHPI communities, which have shaped our state and nation for generations,” said State Senator John Liu, Chair of the Senate NYC Education Committee, and sponsor of S7855E. “For too long, these stories have been absent from our classroom either by design or willful ignorance. This legislation ensures we take a clear-eyed look at what is being taught, and what’s not, so that all students can benefit from a more honest and complete understanding of our shared history.”

“Asian Americans have helped build this country, generation after generation, but our history has too often been ignored, marginalized or erased,” said Assemblymember Grace Lee. “Education is one of the most powerful tools we have in fighting hate and ignorance. Today, we celebrate a critical milestone toward inclusive education with the passage of the AANHPI Education Equity Act. This bill affirms that our stories matter and that our community deserves recognition. Now we urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law.”

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I’m proud to stand with my colleagues, Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Grace Lee, and advocates, to urge Governor Hochul to sign the AANHPI Education Equity Act into law. Over the past several years, we’ve seen a deeply troubling rise in hate-motivated violence and discrimination against Asian Americans and members of the AANHPI communities. The AANHPI Education Equity Act is a critical step in combating AANHPI hate by establishing an advisory committee tasked with recommending the best practices for teaching AANHPI in classrooms, in alignment with state learning standards and the New York State Education Department’s Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework. As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I know firsthand how powerful education can be in fostering acceptance, bridging differences, and addressing ignorance and I am deeply proud to support this legislation. I thank Senator Liu, Assembly Member Lee, and all the advocates and I urge Governor Hochul to sign it into law, making New York a safer place for the AANHPI community.”

“Education is under attack in this country from the Trump administration and the far right. It is imperative that we strengthen and protect quality education here in New York State and include The histories of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in public education now. When our education reflects the rich histories and diverse contributions of the people in our state and beyond, we prepare our students to become stronger leaders. That is why the AANHPI Education Equity Bill must be signed without delay,” said Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas.

“Education is the most powerful tool we have to fight against the rise in hate in our nation," said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein. “I am proud to stand with Assembly Member Lee and Senator Liu to urge Governor Hochul to sign the AANHPI Educational Equity Act to ensure that what’s taught in our classrooms reflects the diversity of the people of New York."

“This landmark legislation responds to generations of AANHPI communities whose histories have been overlooked in classrooms, despite their deep roots in New York,” said John J. Chin, Dean of CUNY’s Asian American/Asian Research Institute (AAARI). “At AAARI, through efforts like our Localized History Project, we’ve seen how access to community-centered histories can empower students, affirm a sense of belonging, and foster a more inclusive society. This law brings that promise within reach for schools across the state.”

“As co-founders of the REACH Coalition and longtime advocates of inclusive curriculum in New York State, CACF strongly urges Governor Hochul to sign the AANHPI Education Equity Act into law,” said Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung, Co-Executive Directors of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF), a co-founder of the R.E.A.C.H. Coalition. “If signed into law, the forthcoming survey data resulting from this legislation will be essential in identifying what’s missing and ensure educators are equipped to teach an inclusive and accurate curriculum statewide. We want AANHPI students to see their histories, cultures, and contributions reflected in the classroom and that students of all backgrounds discover more about the different people and cultures in the United States.”

“OCA-NY urges Governor Hochul to sign the AANHPI Education Equity Act into law,” said Brianna Cea, Immediate Past President at OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates New York (OCA-NY), a co-founder of the R.E.A.C.H. Coalition. “This legislation underscores the power of community advocacy and coalition-building. We look forward to supporting efforts that provide educators with the resources and guidance they need to teach an inclusive and accurate curriculum, ensuring that AANHPI students see their histories reflected in classrooms — especially when our communities are under attack.”

“As President Trump ramps up his plan to rewrite U.S. history and erase communities of color, most recently by hijacking the Smithsonian, Governor Hochul has the chance to protect our histories by signing the AANHPI Education Equity Act into law,” said Kenny Nguyen, Advocacy Manager at Stop AAPI Hate. “This legislation will pave the way for all New York students to learn the full and unredacted history of AANHPI communities in the United States — and preserve education as a powerful tool to fight hate.”

“Passing the AANHPI Education Equity Act is essential to our work of building power for Indo-Caribbean communities in New York City,” said Simone Jhingoor, Co-Executive Director of Jahajee. “For generations, AANHPI students have been made invisible in school curricula, leaving our struggles and contributions erased. This legislation will ensure that our young people see themselves reflected in the classroom, fostering a strong sense of self, identity, pride and belonging.”

“Passage and implementation of the AANHPI Education Equity Bill is a necessary step forward in shedding light upon what our communities have known and said for years about the incomplete narratives of our American histories in our public school curricula,” said Richard In, Esq., Executive Director of KACE. “It is now the Governor’s turn to act. We are hopeful that this survey will drive the changes needed for a more inclusive and meaningful education for all of New York’s students.”

"The AANHPI Education Equity Act is more than an education bill—it’s an investment in safety, belonging, and dignity. When young people learn the histories and contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, we combat invisibility and stereotypes that too often fuel bias and AAPI hate, and we break the silences surrounding violence. I am grateful to Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Grace Lee for their leadership, and look forward to building on this progress to ensure every New York student has access to a curriculum that truly reflects the diversity of our state," said Jeehae Fischer, Executive Director, Korean American Family Service Center.

"The history of Asian American communities is often overlooked in classrooms, failing to honor this legacy and contributions of diversity to New York State's rich history. As a student, I felt this erasure, particularly regarding my Indo-Caribbean heritage. The stories of Indian indentured laborers, whose sacrifices enabled us to call New York home, went unacknowledged. As a member of the REACH Coalition Steering Committee, I am excited about the AANHPI Education Equity Act's passage, a result of dedicated advocacy and a multi-ethnic approach to coalition-building. The AANHPI Education Survey will help identify gaps in teaching Asian American history. In an era where diversity and inclusion are threatened, New York must lead through education equity to promote community safety, cross-racial solidarity, and belonging. I am proud to join our legislative champions and advocates in celebrating this victory and urge Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the AANHPI Survey Bill into law," said Mohamed Q. Amin, Executive Director of Caribbean Equality Project.

Though a statewide AANHPI curriculum is not required under this legislation, it creates a framework to guide future reforms. Read more about the AANHPI Education Equity Act here.

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R.E.A.C.H Coalition was founded in January 2023 to advocate for inclusive AANHPI education measures. The statewide coalition includes more than 170 students, parents, educators, and advocates, as well as more than 60 community-based organizations fighting for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander history. For more information about our work or to interview R.E.A.C.H. Coalition members and community advocates, please contact ktapal@cacf.org.