The Asian American Education Commission (AAEC) was established in 1971 as an advisory body to the Los Angeles Board of Education.

The population of students of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage in Los Angeles County rose greatly after the enactment of the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965. By 1966, Asian and Pacific Americans made up five percent of the student population. These students had specific educational needs as they generally came from households with low income, lack of education, and limited English proficiency. Yet the struggles these children faced were neglected as the model minority myth perpetuated the belief that Asians were successful and acculturated.

Efforts to establish the Asian American Education Commission began in July 1970 at the Asian American Studies Conference at California State University, Long Beach. There, representatives from twelve Southern California universities established Asian American Studies Central (now Visual Communications), an organization that would compile Asian American materials and promote Asian American studies programs throughout the Southland. Their primary and secondary education initiative was led by Ron Hirano and Kenyon Chan, who began the Asian American Education Task Force. They met with community members, parents, and students of LAUSD to create and garner support for a proposal of an Asian American Education Commission, which would coincide with the creation of the Black Education Commission (1970) and the Mexican American Education (1971).

The proposal was adopted on April 29, 1971. Harry E. Nishisaka was appointed director of the commission and Dr. William Shinto was appointed interim president. Herbert Leong would be elected president the following year and would serve as director from 1973 to 1983. Under his leadership, the Commission provided staff development, parent training, student conferences, and an English as a Second Language curriculum catered towards Asian Pacific Students.

In 1983, Herbert Leong was assigned to serve as assistant principal at Hoover Elementary School. President George Kiriyama served as interim director. Dr. Miriam Rumjahn filled the position in 1985, followed by Jeanne Akashi in 1988, Dr. Carmencita Davino in 1991, and Richard Katsuda in 1997.

In 1984, the AAEC was renamed to the more inclusive Asian/Pacific American Commission (A/PAEC). Commissions for American Indian (Native American) Education, Sex and Gender Equity, Special Education, and Gay and Lesbian Education were established around this time.

On April 18, 1998, the seven Education Commissions were dissolved and replaced with the singular Human Relations Education Commission.