New York City is planning to create a new Latino studies curriculum in public schools — a push made thanks to a $3 million investment from the City Council, according to a recent report.
Gothamist reported that the development of Latino studies is underway. The City Council has partnered with the United Way of New York City, the Hispanic Federation and Columbia University’s Teachers’ College, which are seeking input at community meetings with the public, the media outlet stated.
The new curriculum is expected to launch in three years, according to Gothamist.
Councilmember Rita Joseph, who chairs the education committee on the City Council, told Gothamist that students want to “see themselves in the curriculum.”
“We study Hispanic History Month once a year… We want this to be all year round where students are seeing themselves, they’re studying, writing and reading about people before them, and current folks that are in our communities,” Joseph told Gothamist.
It would be part of the city Department of Education’s (DOE) Hidden Voices initiative — which has already launched the Black studies, Asian American & Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and LGBTQI+ curriculums. The programs were created in direct response to feedback from educators looking for support to embed content into their lessons that reflect the cultures and diversities of their classrooms.
Hidden Voices comes with posters, comics and images with engaging lessons that include strategies for teachers and leaders.
According to Gothamist, there are also plans in the works for new curriculums centered on Americans with Disabilities, and Jewish and Muslim American communities.
