2020 was a tumultuous year that left many parents thinking about how to discuss sensitive topics with their children. Educators in D.C. Public Schools realized they needed to make some changes to the way they prepared their students for the future.
DCPS students will soon have a new perspective on social studies for the first time in 17 years. It’s part of a revised history curriculum.
School officials have begun to embrace concepts that other school districts have avoided. Classes now emphasize the experiences of people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and others.
“We have to make strategic decisions about how we teach,” says Dr. Christina Grant, D.C. Superintendent of Education. She spoke to her News4 about how 2020 changed educators’ plans.
“We are in the midst of many unprecedented events: a global pandemic, school closures, racial “I’m working on awakening,” she said. . “How does that make sense in a complex school system like Washington, D.C.?”
This is what is different about the new social studies curriculum
Curriculum changes focus on a comprehensive way of teaching history and how what we have learned from the past provides context for what is happening in the present.
It is currently being rolled out as a pilot program at the Inspired Teaching Demonstration public charter school in Northeast D.C.
“It’s not just about creating actual standards and creating lesson plans. It’s important to make sure you can provide rich and complex texts, hands-on activities for students to participate in, multiple opportunities for projects, etc. ” said Riggins, Sundai’s principal.
It took three years to develop the curriculum. Educators, civics, history experts, and community members all participated.
“It makes me feel more hopeful.”
Inspired Teaching students talked about what and how they were learning.
“This year it’s more engaging. We had more activities and discussions that everyone could participate in,” said eighth grader Kamryn Adigun.
“It gives me more hope for the future,” said seventh-grader Eli Dubenitz. “We are being taught better, our mistakes are being corrected, and we are getting a better education.”
Administrators and teachers say they have noticed that students are responding well to the new teaching methods.
“This investment will give students more time to collaborate with their teachers and leaders, allowing those working on the curriculum to create stories for students and deliver them using these curated resources. , students can now actually participate in the story,” said the assistant. Principal Jessica Jones said.
“It’s all about making the class more inclusive and making all students feel represented,” said Bree Wattier, a seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher.
The Prince George’s County library system had never had a Black CEO until Mark Winston took over late last month. News4’s Darcy Spencer spoke to him about how his appointment came about.
All students in kindergarten through 12th grade will receive the new curriculum starting next school year.
“Education is the great equalizer. Our children will save us,” Grant said.