Ensuring Cultural Relevancy and College and Career Readiness The Latinx Youth Council saw a gap in the high school social studies curriculum. Noting that Lawrence high schools offer Native American, African American, and East Asian History courses, the Council proposed adding a Latin American History course. The district’s Curriculum and Instruction Team reviewed and recommended the proposal to the school board, which approved the course addition for the 2021-2022 school year. “That is part of our work in all curriculum areas: that our students see cultural relevancy in all of the courses they take,” said Patrick Kelly, executive director of curriculum and instruction. The new course will examine the history, politics, economics, society, and culture of Latin American groups in the United States. It will also include the study of contemporary issues affecting Latin Americans.
Last year the board approved adding a Heritage Spanish course to the high school curriculum. Building on the heritage language base that some students already possess, the course aims to help students develop reading and writing skills in Spanish. The district will celebrate this month its first graduates to earn the Kansas Seal of Biliteracy. This accomplishment requires students to demonstrate proficiency in two languages on a year-end exam. Recognition for attaining biliteracy becomes part of the student’s high school transcript and recognizes their readiness for college, careers, and engagement as a global citizen.
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