Ethnic Studies Bill H794

Via CTVSURJ  & VT Solidarity Network

This Ethnic Studies bill H794 just submitted to the Vermont legislature is an important effort. The Vermont Coalition for Ethnic and Social Equity in Schools (VCESES) is led by people of color in Vermont, with lots of support from white allies in the state. Montpelier and Burlington High Schools are taking significant steps to change the culture and educational content of their schools. This campaign expands and deepens the effort and has the potential to affect every school in the state.

Visit the Vermont Ethnic Studies website where you can read more about H.794. http://ethnicstudiesvt.org/

Facebook page for the Vermont Coalition for Ethnic and Social Equity in Schools. https://www.facebook.com/vemontcoalitionforethnicandsocialequityinschools/

H. 794 directs the Agency of Education to convene an independent, majority people of color Advisory Board comprised of advocates from diverse ethnic and social groups, experts in ethnic studies, and representatives of Vermont education agencies and associations. The charge of the Advisory board is to develop statewide ethnic studies standards for adoption into existing statewide standards for public kindergarten through grade 12. The bill would require the department to publish annual reports on the implementation of standards in public pre-kindergarten through grade 12 studies. This bill which was drafted by VCESES and Representative Kiah Morris and introduced as H.794 by Representatives Morris of Bennington, Christie of Hartford, Colburn of Burlington, and Rachelson of Burlington.

It would also identify standards that:

increase cultural competence of studentsincreases attention to the history, contribution and perspectives of ethnic and social groupspromote critical thinking regarding the history contributions, and perspectives of ethnic and social groups;commit the school to eradicating racial bias in its curriculumprovide access to curriculum that enables students to explore questions of identity, racial equality and racismensure that basic curriculum and extracurricular programs are welcoming to all students and take into account parental concerns about religion or culture.