Rochester School Board considers African-American Studies Department
By: Joylynn Whitfield
Updated: July 20, 2007
Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King all African-American leaders you'll find in American history text books.
But according to school board member Van White that’s not enough.
He wants to adopt a new policy. The policy would create an African and African- American studies Department to teach curriculum to K – 12th graders.
"It is accurate to say that students are not getting, white, black, latino are not adequately learning the history and culture of Africans and African-Americans,” said school board member Van White.
African-Americans make up about 65 percent of the student population in the district. The new policy isn't calling for just a class, but rather an infusion of significant African-American contributions into all subject areas.
"This is not black history month lets do it for 28 days or 38 days African-American culture is part of all of
Most board members support the idea but question including African studies in the curriculum.
"I don't think that I need to study African History,” said Board President Domingo Garcia, ”I wouldn't mind study African-American history." Garcia added.
"It is something that is a distinct part just like our European history that's been studied for decades in our schools," White said.
Parents hope it will encourage students to be energized about learning and increase graduation rates.
“A lot of students that I talk to think that they can't go anywhere. They think that if they live in the so called “ghetto” that's all they'll achieve," said parent Carla Copper.
The board sent the proposed policy back to committee for re-evaluation.
About $150,000 has already been set aside in the district budget.
