The Colorado Department of Education is revising its social studies curriculums for grades K-12, attempting to clarify topics and add more inclusive language that includes the accomplishments of minorities (people of color, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ people, etc.) in the curriculum.
Some of this was spurred by the passing of House Bill 19-1192, titled the “Inclusion of American Minorities in Teaching Civil Government”. The bill was signed into law by Governor Polis in 2019.
Additionally, House Bill 20-1336 mandates that in order to graduate, students must complete a course that includes coverage of the Holocaust and other genocides.
Mr. Daniel, along with two other teachers in our district, is serving on the committee to review these standards.
“We met four years ago because that was the regular time [to revise standards], and then the legislature passed a couple of different pieces that were specific to social studies … so we said ‘we’re not gonna wait another six years, let’s go back and redo [the standards]’,” said Mr. Daniel.
The 154-page document is full of red-lined revisions, many of which are small changes in language or the suggestion of specific historical examples to teach.
A sample of the changes in this document includes the addition of many examples of historical events to study in US History, such as the Tulsa Massacre, the Stonewall Riots, Japanese internment, and Affirmative Action.
The struggles of marginalized populations around the world, along with the international response to more contemporary genocides are included in the World History curriculum, such as the Darfur genocide and the current Uyghur genocide.
I found the additions to the Civics section particularly interesting, such as the study of key Colorado court cases, the relationship between tribal and federal governments, and a discussion around the two-party system, electoral college, and gerrymandering. In an increasingly politically divisive world, I think that these additions are important.
It’s important to note that all these listed examples are suggestions, not requirements. No teacher in our state is obligated to teach these events, they are just there to create a more well-rounded and diverse curriculum.
“We want standards to be broad enough for teachers to have that space to address depending on what their community is,” said Mr. Daniel.
What does this mean for students at LHS? According to both Mr. Lukes and Mr. Daniel, not much.
“My experience is when the state passes legislation stating that ‘you will include this in the standard'” said Mr. Lukes. “I’m 99% sure that whatever they’re saying needs to be in the standard is already in the standard.”
“I don’t think it’ll make major differences for us, I think we’ve been pretty conscientious about doing that,” said Mr. Daniel.
The backlash in our school district surrounding the social studies curriculum has been relatively inconsequential so far but has played a serious role in some states across the country where bills have been passed to limit content about racism, sexism, and homophobia in schools.
“I don’t see [critical race theory] happening here, at Littleton or from what I know from other teachers in LPS,” said Mr. Lukes.
“I haven’t felt it personally in the building, but I know some teachers have,” said Mr. Daniel in regard to critical race theory. “And I know from going to school board meetings that there are people in the community that are worried about what that may mean.”
Out of the 151 emails that were on the official public feedback document, I could only find one email that was against the revisions, and it wasn’t particularly enlightening.
“I would like to share with you that I oppose the new social studies curriculum. Sent from my iPad,” said Jeff Butterbaugh.
Much of the feedback regarding the revisions was anger surrounding the removal of LGBTQ+ references in standards for students under 4th grade, which was done earlier this year in response to political backlash.
Some argue that kids are too young at this age to learn about sexual orientation and gender identity, while others argue that opening the conversation will provide long-needed visibility to LGBTQ+ youth.
Despite these hurdles, the revised social studies curriculum is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. It still takes great strides in attempting to make learning more inclusive and represents one piece of the broader shift toward racial equity in education.