(a) For the school year commencing July 1, 2025, and each school year thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall include Asian American and Pacific Islander studies as part of the social studies curriculum for the school district, pursuant to § 10-16b. Such Asian American and Pacific Islander studies shall include, but need not be limited to, a focus on (1) the history of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the state, the region and the United States, and (2) the contributions of (A) Asian American and Pacific Islanders towards advancing civil rights from the nineteenth century to the present day, (B) individual Asian American and Pacific Islanders in government, the arts, humanities and sciences, and (C) Asian American and Pacific Islander communities to the economic, cultural, social and political development of the United States. In developing and implementing the Asian American and Pacific Islander studies curriculum, the board may utilize the curriculum materials made available by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection (d) of § 10-16b or other existing and appropriate public or private materials, personnel and resources, provided such curriculum is in accordance with the state-wide subject matter content standards, adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to § 10-4.

(b) A local or regional board of education may accept gifts, grants and donations, including in-kind donations, designated for the development and implementation of the Asian American and Pacific Islander studies curriculum under this section.