Ethnic studies courses benefit all students

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/sep/26/ethnic-studies-education-students/

By Thandeka K. Chapman & Tricia M. Gallagher-Geurtsen | 12:01 a.m. Sept. 26, 2015 | Updated, 5 p.m. | Sept. 25, 2015

On June 9, 2015, the Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) approved a resolution for an Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee to begin meeting immediately to “develop recommendations as to how ethnic studies can be implemented and accessible to all students in the San Diego Unified School District throughout their K-12 educational experience.” Why ethnic studies and why is this curriculum important for all of our youth in San Diego?
The support for ethnic studies in K-12 schools in California has been growing for the past few years. Briefly, ethnic studies is the interdisciplinary study through social science, history and literature of how different populations have engaged in and experienced building what is now the United States of America. Although the student population of San Diego Unified School District is extremely diverse representing many ethnic groups and more than 60 languages and dialects, our social science, history and language arts texts and curriculum are not reflective of this diversity.

Latino Voter Turnout is Vital

Sacramento Bee columnist Marcos Breton is correct in saying on Feb 25, that  low Latino voter turnout is a major issue.  And, he is on target in saying the issues include poverty, lack of job opportunities, and in asking why young Latinos are “ so disconnected?”

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/marcos-breton/article11125448.html

 Student political apathy 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 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.

Then they will participate and vote.

The continuing need for school reform

Important essay on school reform efforts in Los Angeles.

http://www.latinopov.com/blog/?p=8208