Reimagining Schools: The Construction and Implementation of Ethnic Studies in the Twin Cities

Reimagining Schools: The Construction and Implementation of Ethnic Studies in the Twin Cities

We invite everyone to join us for an informative, dynamic, and engaging forum on ethnic studies in the Twin Cities, featuring several local ethnic studies leaders as panelists on March 27th at 6:20 pm. Come and engage in this rich conversation regarding the status and future of the local ethnic studies landscape.
What is the current experience of students taking ethnic studies courses? What is working, or not working? How can this information guide the future of ethnic studies courses? These are the types of questions we will ask in our forum. We hope to see you there!

Ben Hovland | MPR News 2023

Abstact

The Minnesota Department of Education states that they are dedicated to fostering Ethnic Studies achievement among all students through collaborative efforts statewide, ensuring that each student not only meets academic standards but also is well-prepared for success in both postsecondary education and their future careers (excerpt from MN Department of Education’s website). Expanding upon this mission, our forum aims to explore the implementation of the ethnic studies curriculum in the Twin Cities, as well as to understand how teachers are being prepared to teach this course. We will explore areas where teacher training may fall short and hope to discuss strategies for effective implementation of ethnic studies courses. In our forum, we will provide a more thorough understanding of the current landscape of ethnic studies in the Twin Cities through a panel discussion with current educators, students, members of the ethnic studies planning committee, and local residents. We will give a brief history of the implementation of the ethnic studies program, look at how it is being implemented in the Twin Cities today, and think about how teachers and students can be better-equipped to engage with the topic. Overall, we intend to showcase the importance of prioritizing ethnic studies within the educational framework to ensure that these courses serve who they are intended to serve.

Where is this happening?

Location: Olin-Rice Science Center, St Paul, MN 55105. — 2nd floor Smail Gallery
(Google maps directions can be found at the bottom of this page)
Date & Time: March 27th at 6:20pm

We are hosting a forum on Ethnic Studies in the Twin Cities

Background:

In Minnesota, the social studies standard was recently changed, adding Ethnic Studies as a graduation requirement to K-12 schools across the state. Following this legislative decision, all graduating seniors after 2025 will need to have at least one semester of a course aligned with an Ethnic Studies curriculum. The definition of ethnic studies from the bill H.F. 1502, section 4.1, says that it is “the critical and interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, and indigeneity with a focus on the experiences and perspectives of people of color within and beyond the United States.” Ethnic studies curricula have been advocated for by students for over 50 years. Ethnic studies departments first appeared on college campuses in the 1960s as part of the Third World Liberation Front. The Third World Liberation Front, originating at UC Berkeley, consisted of different student groups such as the Black Student Union and Latino Student Union who demanded that their histories be acknowledged and taught in their classrooms. The origins of ethnic studies are rooted in student resistance and student leadership which was exemplified in the organizing efforts to bring this curriculum change to the Twin Cities. 

Although ethnic studies is now a requirement for schools in Minnesota, it is still early in its life as a social studies standard, entailing an encounter with expected challenges and a lack of answers around what ethnic studies looks like in practice. Teachers and administrators are figuring out the best way to implement and teach this new curriculum. One thing schools are exploring is who will be teaching this course. There is currently no certification requirement to teach ethnic studies, which can make it difficult to know how to approach these topics with sensitivity, as well as how to train teachers to lead these discussions. This means that the roles and responsibilities of ethnic studies teachers are still being defined. Other questions community members are asking are what this new curriculum will entail and what it will exclude. Despite these new challenges, ethnic studies and the student organizing that brought it to life are necessary for creating schools that center student voices and their many histories. 

Audience

We recognize various stakeholders in these questions and issues related to ethnic studies, including educators, students, parents and families, and those involved in administrative work in education. Our intention with this forum is to cultivate a space in which community members can learn more about the ethnic studies requirement in Minnesota and reflect on their individual role(s) in shaping the future of ethnic studies curriculum, inside and outside the classroom.

Key Takeaways

We aim for attendees of our forum to leave with a deeper grasp of the historical journey and current struggles of ethnic studies curriculum. This understanding will empower attendees to engage in critical analysis regarding the present and future implementation of ethnic studies courses within Minnesota schools. Additionally, we extend an invitation to all participants to join us in considering the purposes behind ethnic studies and the questions that we should center ourselves in as these courses become more widely taught. 

Our collective reflection is essential to guaranteeing that students receive the quality education that they rightly deserve.

Reccommended Readings and Listens:

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/12/06/minnesota-schools-ethnic-studies-what-that-might-look-like