The African American studies course is set for approval and implementation by the Texas State Board of Education in 2020. This is the first part of a larger movement connected to House Bill 5 to implement ethnic studies in all Texas schools.
The 15-board members, who are in charge of setting curriculum standards, choosing courses and adopting textbooks for Texas schools, held a public hearing with dozens of students, educators, and advocates on Wednesday, where a majority of them favored the adoption of the new course.
Prior to the achievement of this new feat, there have been years of bitter debate over whether ethnic studies courses are actually necessary for Texas schools. In 2014, a proposal for Mexican American studies course was voted down by the Republicans because it was deemed to cause division instead of unites the students.
The Republicans in the education board believed that the course will “not uphold American history but Hispanic history”.
After the recent public hearing for the African American studies course, Pat Hardy, an education board member, and a Fort Worth Republican stated the board will adopt this new course, adding the board is poised to approve its first African American studies course by 2020.
The education board is expected to create a curriculum standard for the course based on an existing status quo used previously in the Dallas independent school district. The same process that the board employed during the approval of the Mexican American studies course last year, based on an existing course in Houston ISD (Independent School District).
The final vote for the adoption is expected to take place in April 2020.
Reason for change of heart by the Texas education board
Many believe that the reason for the change of heart by the Texas education board is mainly as a result of the board not ready to have another long struggle if it disapproves of another ethnic course.
Ruben Cortez, a board member, and Brownsville Democrat shared his opinion that the board is not ready for another five-year fight equivalent to that it had after disapproving the Mexican American studies.
Mr. Cortez explained, it is still possible that a fiery battle could still reignite when board members meet next year to discuss curriculum standards for the new course.
Need for the adoption of the African American studies course
The African American studies course is seen as a way to provide accurate historical lessons and “investment in the future by ensuring quality education for our children” as expressed by members of the board.
Taylor Ellingberg-McLeod, one of the students who spoke during the public hearing before the board explained that they are not been taught their proper history. She stated;
We were supposed to learn about American history yet there’s a lot of information being forgotten and left in the shadows.
Others noted that students of color who studied about their cultural history are likely to be more inspired, in addition to better learning the skills needed to function in society. After years of bitter debate over whether ethnic studies courses are racially divisive, the African American studies could be viewed as a light at the end of a long dark tunnel. Get involved by stating your opinion below.
Picture from SAcurrent
