Write Chicano/Mexican American History into California State Textbooks
By Duane Campbell
Mexican American/Chicano history is substantially absent from public school textbooks and curriculum in California- and it has been since 1986. This year we have an opportunity to change that.
California has the largest student population of any state, with more than 6,236,000 students in school in 2013. Students who are Mexican American of Latino heritage make up over 53% of the total school population.
Latino student political non participation and disconnectedness is significantly caused by Latino absence from the K-12 textbooks and curriculum.
Children and young adults need to see themselves in the curriculum. Students, have low levels of attachment to California and U.S. civics engagement in significant part because the government institution they encounter the most- the schools- ignore the students’ own history, cultures and experiences.
California state textbooks currently largely ignore the roles of Mexican Americans and Latinos in building this state. Students need to learn civic engagement – it is not automatic. Students need to learn that they belong , that they are a part of the community and its history.
