This past spring, Gov. Evers signed a bill adding Hmong and Asian American history to the required curriculum.
The bill was signed in Wausau, WI, at the G.D. Jones Elementary School. In Wausau, Hmong residents account for 12% of the population, and Asian American students account for 29.7% of the school’s student body, so it was a fitting location to sign the bill and honor Hmong and Asian American families.
Here’s what Evers had to say about the bill …
The Hmong and Asian American communities are a critical part of our state’s history, culture, economy, and our future. It’s important that we celebrate our shared histories and honor the people who help make Wisconsin the state it is today.
I’ve been proud to sign several key pieces of bipartisan legislation into law to recognize the contributions Hmong and Asian American folks have made to our state and our country, and this bill builds upon those efforts, ensuring the histories and stories of Hmong and Asian American communities are part of state curriculum for future generations.
The current law required Wisconsin K-12 schools to teach Native American, Black American, and Hispanic American history. Now, with the advent of Act 266, Hmong and Asian American histories have been added to the required curriculum.
State Rep., Francesca Hong, was one of many lawmakers who introduced the bill in the Assembly. In February of 2024, she stated the following to NBC News …
It allows students who haven’t seen themselves in textbooks to feel safer and to be able to share their stories, and for there to be an understanding amongst students, teachers and administrators about the importance of Asian American stories in our history.
According to Hong, there has been a decades-long initiative to attain Asian American and Hmong recognition in Wisconsin classrooms, and in light of pandemic-related racism toward Asian Americans, everyone is now paying closer attention.
In addition to Act 266, Gov. Evers has signed other bills that acknowledge the Hmong population in Wisconsin — for instance, a bill that made May 14 Hmong-Lao Veterans Day.
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