Focus on African American Studies
Winter 2005 Vol. 13 No. 2
New course grew out of years of struggle
by Yulanda Essoka
More than 65 percent of the School District's students are African American. Yet despite the predominance of African American students in the classroom, a comprehensive curriculum reflective of their heritage has been lacking.
A resolution adopted by the School Reform Commission (SRC) last February has begun to shake up this status quo.
The most talked-about element of the SRC resolution is the new requirement that all Philadelphia high school students complete an African American history class, starting with the graduating class of 2009.
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Preparing teachers in African American history: a major focus
by Clarisse Mesa
Good professional development for teachers is vital to the success of the School District's new mandated high school course in African American history.
“We have numerous teachers whose educational experience didn't include African American history as preparation for teaching history and social studies,” stated Nancy Hopkins-Evans, the School District's high school curriculum specialist, explaining the thinking behind the District's professional development strategy.
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Mandated course draws strong, varied reactions
compiled by Janine LaBletta
Academic, political and civic leaders both locally and nationally have weighed in on the Philadelphia School District's mandated high school course in African American history. Here are some of the public statements made on the topic in recent months.
Nicholas Torres, President, Congreso de Latinos Unidos
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Table of Contents
Theme articles
- New course grew out of years of struggle by Yulanda Essoka
- SRC resolution for African American studies
- Charter school strives to make African culture part of every day by Sheila Simmons and Janine LaBletta
- African American history mandate: a timeline
- New text presents varied experiences of African Americans by Eva Travers
- Review: new history modules provide package of lessons by Karel Kilimnik
- Steps taken to change ‘total curriculum’ in all grades by Paul Socolar
- Preparing teachers in African American history: a major focus by Clarisse Mesa
- Art Sanctuary offers ‘Hip Hop 101 Guide’ by Decoteau J. Irby
- Classroom resources for infusing African American studies
- Teachers passionate about African American history course by Ros Purnell
- Class notes: 10th graders on the new course
- Asante on required course: ‘It’s about time’ by Sheila Simmons
- Review: stories of great escapes offer different view of slavery by Cristina Gutierrez
- Opinion: Black history - correcting the record by Yulanda Essoka
- Opinion: Course provides a lens on U.S. history by Ron Whitehorne
- Mandated course draws strong, varied reactions compiled by Janine LaBletta
Other news & features
- Hot debate about revoking K12’s science contract by Paul Socolar
Cartoon
- The Notebook's Winter 2005 Cartoon by Eric Joselyn
In our opinion
- Mandate for change
Letters to the editors
- Equity, community input needed in District’s new school choice plan
- ELECT program for teen parents provides academic, social supports
- Out-of-school youth: much work lies ahead
Eye on special education
- State Board of Ed backs off proposal for ‘dual certification’ by Baruch Kintisch
Activism around the city
- Win for student group in small-schools effort
- Student Union celebrates 10 years of organizing
- Continuing the pressure for state funding equity
News in brief
- State grant supports stipends for parents
- Report notes obstacles to public involvement
- Finding economies in small school size
En español
- Nuevo curso es resultado de años de lucha por Yulanda Essoka
- Curso obligatorio de historia afroamericana incita reacciones fuertes y variadas
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