DPS changes history curriculum after criticism from principal By Matt Mauro

I found this story very interesting when I say it on the news this morning. It has been an ongoing fight to get history covered from more than just the white or European perspective. This isn’t a new topic, but an important one.

The part that I found interesting is that she had already brought this up before, but was only able to get the district to do something after she took it public. It’s sad that now a days you have to publically shame people before you can get change to happen. At the same time though I was surprised because I thought that teachers could still use supplemental material in their class past just the standard text books. When I was in grade school here in Colorado all of my teachers did it. All be it I attended schools in both Aurora Public and Cherry Creek, but does DPS restrict this? When I have interacted with teachers from DPS and taught there myself for Junior Achievement I never noticed any restrictions on the teachers being able to provide additional information. To me it always seemed that they were open to any additional information they could get the students. (This is one reason why they bring in Junior Achievement).

I do truly believe that text books can only get people so far, but then they need to add original source material to what is being taught. I understand why Stacy got made at this, but to me it is not so much a district issue as an issue with the teachers themselves. I todays media world it is very easy to find free source material to help students. If the teachers are not doing this, than it speaks more to their teaching abilities and laziness. Base curriculum is just that, basic. Each teacher needs to take it on themselves what kind of experience they are giving each child. If they can’t do that then maybe they shouldn’t be teaching.

Cultural education needs to be included into all classes of all subjects and not just history. Science courses need to talk about scientific breakthroughs and scientists that come from non-US/European influences. Let me here about Arab mathematicians. Teachers need to look for these not only to increase the knowledge of their students, but as teachers they also should be active learners.

To read more: https://kdvr.com/2019/12/05/dps-changes-history-curriculum-after-criticism-from-principal/