On Tuesday, the LAUSD board
voted to require courses to offer ethnic studies classes at all of the district
high schools. A few courses had already
been offered, but this provides a substantial increase in offering.
San Francisco Unified will
consider a similar decision at their December meeting.
Children and young adults need to see
themselves in the curriculum. Students, particularly students of color,
have low levels of attachment to California and U.S. civil society messages in significant part because the
government institution they encounter the most- the schools- ignore the
students own history, cultures and experiences.
A fundamental way to engage students in
civic culture is to engage them in their own schools and communities.
That is where the students most encounter civic opportunities.
When the 51 % of the California students
who are Latino , and the 9 % who are Asian do not see themselves as part
of history, for many their sense of self is
marginalized. Marginalization negatively impacts their
connections with school and their success at school. It contributes
to an up to 50% drop out rate for Latinos and some Asian
students. A more accurate, more complete history
provided in Ethnic studies courses would provide some students with
a a sense of self, of direction, of purpose, even a sense
that they should stay in school and learn more. And, ethnic studies
would provide Anglo students with an
informed, accurate history of the political and cultural development of our
society. Ethnic studies classes should help young people acquire and learn to
use the civics skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to
be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives.
Add their history to the textbooks.
Add their literature to the literature books. Include all students in
Ethnic Studies classes. These students
are are California’s children. You can start by revising the California
History/ Social Science Framework to include their history.
