We Will Be Offering Ethnic Studies Curriculum Classes for Teachers and Administrators

The latest news on the status of the implementation of the Ethnic Studies curriculum in CA came this past September. In an article in EdSource.org, entitled California’s Widely Criticized Ethnic Studies Plan To be Revised. The article’s authors explained that there is still considerable discussion on how the Ethnic Studies Curriculum will be implemented. They also outlined the possible timeline for consideration.

The proposal is currently in committee and legislators hope to have a final proposal ready for review and offer up for a vote by the State Board of Education in early 2020. Here is a link to the CA Dept of Education Guidelines for the Ethnic Studies Curriculum. There is still much work to be done on the language of the proposal, but in the end, we at the Colégas group believe that the curriculum will become a model for other states and possibly the entire country.

Ethnic Studies legislation in California will create a great opportunity for Collegiate Gigsters working in education as well. It will also be a benefit to anyone looking to improve their expertise in the field of Ethnic Studies, from HR managers to CEOs. Ethnic Studies training is essential to understand the nuanced topics involved when working with people from different backgrounds, how they diverge and also interrelate. The curriculum hopes to, among many things, “encourage cultural understanding of how different groups have struggled and worked together, highlighting core ethnic studies concepts such as equality, justice, race, ethnicity, indigeneity, etc.”

The Target Audience

The curriculum is primarily intended for educators and administrators in K-12 schools of course. What they learn will be taught to their students so that the next generation will benefit from the knowledge when they enter the workforce. One could argue that the benefits are a ways off. However, there are some very real ways this will impact people right away.

For people working in education, of course, this presents significant opportunity for advancement. When the courses are completed, educators receive Professional Development Credits that are then used to determine salary increases, promotions and a broadening of responsibilities. Thousands of teachers and administrators in the K-12 schools will need to receive the training. But aside from the K-12 industry, how does this impact Gigsters and part-time employees who are our core audience at the Colégas group? Teachers and administrators typically aren’t part-time or entrepreneurs.

Actually, there is one population that is: substitute teachers. Just like full-time teachers they can benefit from having completed the training with more opportunities to substitute for Ethnic Studies classes. It may come as a surprise, but many substitute teachers are also adjunct professors which is one of our core audiences as well, even if it isn’t as large of a population as K-12 teachers and administrators.

On a fundamental level, Ethnic Studies aligns with what we stand for at the Colégas Group. We have been teaching classes for business professionals on ethnic diversity already, so this is an extension of what we already offer. This is why it would be a natural fit for us to expand our offerings beyond the business world and offer a full curriculum of classes for teachers, administrators as well as substitute teachers.

Our New Curriculum

Starting Summer 2020, we will be expanding our Collegiate Seminars courses to include the state’s mandated Ethnic Studies curriculum. We have been working on this curriculum since the first draft of the proposal was made public and we will be following the recommended requirements once the final draft is completed.

As with all legislative processes, Ethnic Studies may take more time to become actual law and it will take even longer before K-12 schools will be teaching it. Obviously, teachers and administrators will need to be taught the material themselves, which will also take time. The Colégas Group is positioning itself to be an integral part of this process and we feel we are uniquely qualified to do so. Our hope is that we can help facilitate this lengthy process somewhat.

Actual implementation of Ethnic Studies in California will likely not be complete by next summer, but we will start offering classes for those looking to receive a head-start on this significant new curriculum for the K-12 education system. We will grow and adjust our curriculum as needs arise, but we will fully intend to provide the required Professional Development Credits that educators and administrators need to advance their careers.

Ethic studies as a vocation is something that also will change over time, as local populations change and people migrate in and out of California. The curriculum will likely adjust to these changing demographics and educational requirements over time. This is a natural part of society and we embrace this progression at the Colégas Group. Change I good and we believe this is what ensures progress over time.

Naturally, we at the Colégas Group will be following developments at the state level very closely. We will be reporting on the status of the Ethnics Studies proposal via our Facebook, Twitter and Linked In pages so that you can follow along as well. Ethnic Studies is ultimately a collaborative effort and we encourage discussion about its goals, it’s shortcomings and how it will eventually be implemented, so we hope that you will join us in the discussion.

Conclusion

We are very excited that this curriculum will be made a part of the learning experiences of the students of California. Implementation will provide a whole host of Professional Development opportunities for educators to receive additional training on the curriculum. It also provides Collegiate Gigsters who work in education an opportunity to provide much needed expertise to the continuing education of our citizens. Our readers who are in states that do not have an Ethnic Studies Curriculum, learning from California’s process will provide insight that will be needed to guide your state in the implementation process as well.

As populations become more diverse, it is important that Collegiate Gigsters enter the conversation and learn about Ethnic Studies. Students who experience this curriculum will be better versed in conversation of different and the benefits of diversity. They will understand the cultural and historical antecedents of social structures and institutions. They will understand the benefits of diversity and its impact on the bottom line. In essence, they will be the best employees to lead businesses or organizations into the 21st Century and beyond. Ultimately, it will benefit the bottom line to learn about Ethnic Studies and see how your business or organization can become more competitive in the future.