Legislators, NAACP leaders and educators at signing of ethnic studies law

This is big.  As of July 10, 2018, Ethnic Studies is now the law of the land in Indiana.  Love this statement from this piece titled, "Educators and NAACP persuade Hoosiers ethnic studies benefit everyone."

“If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere,” said teacher Hilda Kendrick after Indiana passed an ethnic studies law. “It was an astonishing and historic victory, given Indiana’s history of racism and Ku Klux Klan activity.”

I like how the Stanford study (by Thomas Dee and Emily Penner) made a difference for advocates, especially the NAACP in Indiana, as it has elsewhere, including in the context of the victorious TUSD-Mexican American court case that I've blogged about already (search this blog with keyword "Ethnic Studies").

That said, what also has to be considered is that this is a legacy agenda that minimally tracks back to the late 60s and early 70s during the Civil Rights Movement, albeit with roots that go much deeper.  Actually, the entire historiography of Ethnic Studies has yet to be written.  This would be a great educational history topic for someone's dissertation.  None of this, however, minimizes the fact that our communities have been calling for cultural and linguistic inclusion into the curriculum for way more than a half century.

A related takeaway is that research is definitely helpful to the Ethnic Studies movement and agenda—even if our families and advocacy community always knew....

With all the other crazy news dominating the news cycle, it's hard to keep up with some of the really great things happening in public education right now.  Below is the specific announcement of this course elective by the Indiana Department of Education.  

Way to go, NAACP!  Way to go, Hoosiers!

-Angela Valenzuela

Legislators, NAACP leaders and educators at signing of ethnic studies law

Legislators, NAACP leaders and educators at signing of ethnic studies law

Indiana Department of Education Announces New LandmarkEthnic Studies Course and Standards

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Adam Baker
Press Secretary
(317) 232-0550
abaker@doe.in.gov

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced today a new landmark ethnic studies course and standards for Indiana schools. Per recently passed legislation by the Indiana General Assembly, beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, all corporations will be required to offer ethnic studies as a one semester high school elective course at least once per school year.

“As the educational leader of one of the first states to mandate a curricular offering focused on the study of the rich heritage of ethnic cultures in the United States, I am excited for students to have the opportunity to be taught historical perspectives, respect, and responsiveness of a diverse population,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I want to recognize and thank the leaders who realized the importance of such an opportunity and acted accordingly.”

As an offered course, ethnic studies will provide Indiana students the opportunity to broaden their perspectives concerning lifestyles and cultural patterns of ethnic and racial groups within the United States. IDOE created the new ethnic studies standards in partnership with educators and local cultural awareness leaders throughout the state.

For more information regarding ethnic studies standards, including resources and support for educators, please visit: www.doe.in.gov/standards.