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New Latino studies effort underway at NYC schools
By
Jessica Gould
Published Dec 30, 2024
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Edwin J. Torres/Mayoral Photo Office
By
Jessica Gould
Published Dec 30, 2024
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Politicians, parents and educators are cheering a new effort to create a Latino studies curriculum in New York City public schools, even as some say they remain frustrated by a “piecemeal” approach to diversifying lessons and materials.
A $3 million investment from the City Council is driving the new push.
“We want students to see themselves in the curriculum,” said Councilmember Rita Joseph, who chairs the education committee. “ 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.”
Latino students are the largest demographic in the city's diverse public school system, which is 42% Hispanic, 20% Black, 19% Asian, 16% white, and 1% Native American.
But white authors have dominated school book lists for years. In 2019, a survey found 83% of authors of books commonly used in schools were white.
Since then, the education department has sought to expand access to materials featuring authors, characters and history that better reflect the student body. But some parents and educators said that effort, which has spanned two mayoral administrations, has been messy, with steps forward and back.
As former Mayor Bill de Blasio approached the end of his term and was flush with COVID-19 recovery funds, he pledged $200 million in stimulus money to overhaul English and math curricula across all grades with a focus on making materials more culturally responsive. He called the effort Mosaic.
Boxes of new books were sent to schools, including titles focused on the history and culture of Black, Asian, Latino, Jewish and Indigenous communities, as well as immigrant experiences, gender, sexuality and neurodiversity.
But the initiative stalled when Mayor Eric Adams’ administration took over.
Many of the new books sent to schools remained in storage for months or years before they were distributed.
Instead of developing the new “Mosaic” curriculum, the administration focused on a major shift of reading instruction and changes to math curriculum. They also began adding more social studies resources called "Hidden Voices" on Asian American studies, and Black studies and LGBTQ+ people. Plans are also in the works for new lessons featuring Americans with Disabilities and Jewish and Muslim American communities. Education department officials said the council’s Latino studies initiative is a welcome addition to the mix.
"Every child deserves to see themself and their community represented in classroom instruction, while also having the opportunity to be introduced to cultures that are not part of their community,” said spokesperson Nicole Brownstein. “We are proud to have used some of the previous administration's Mosaic funding to supply classrooms with culturally responsive books and materials, and to develop new Hidden Voices curricular resources.”
But parents and educators said the Adams administration’s efforts are incomplete.
“One of the biggest critiques I have of this administration is the fact that they did away with the funding for the Mosaic curriculum,” said East Harlem parent Kaliris Salas-Ramirez. She said shifting funds from a broad overhaul of materials to diversifying the social studies curriculum was a “disservice” to students.
Martina Meijer, who teaches Spanish dual language at a Brooklyn elementary school, said much of the coursework remains “white-washed,” especially in the new HMH literacy curriculum. She said many of the reading passages featuring characters of color focus on discrimination or poverty, while historical summaries tend to center white people’s perspectives. She said a unit called “Heroic Acts” glosses over the history of the Battle of the Alamo.
But Meijer said the new social studies resources have helped, and she is eager for more. “There is more representation … and it's really exciting to share materials like the new Black studies curriculum and of course this upcoming Latino studies curriculum,” she said.
Development of Latino studies is just getting underway. The City Council has partnered with the United Way of New York City, the Hispanic Federation, and Columbia University’s Teachers’ College. The groups will begin by seeking input at community meetings with the public. The curriculum is expected to launch in three years.
"As a Latina chancellor, I believe it’s crucial to have a curriculum centered on the Latine experience, reflecting the rich history, culture, and contributions of our community," Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said.
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new york city
education
Jessica Gould
Jessica is the education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica reported on the shutdown and reopening of the nation’s largest school system, highlighting the unprecedented impacts on learning, health and mental health for students, staff and families. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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