Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) intended to design their Social Studies curricula to educate students about the past and prepare them for the future. However, many members of diverse minority groups feel that the curriculum does not reflect their identities, cultures, and experiences.
To address the lack of diversity in education and courses covering Asian American studies, two MCPS teachers, Neha Singhal, and Yonsoo Kang, devised the “Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Studies course,” which delves into the culture, history, and political dynamics of the diverse groups within the Asian American community.
High School Sophomore and Asian American Vannisa Hout said, “I believe that MCPS is neglecting the needs of minority students by offering a curriculum that is mostly focused on American perspectives while ignoring the diverse histories and cultures of other countries. I think that adding more classes that reflect the diversity and interests of minority students would be beneficial for fostering awareness and understanding among our future generations.”
Within a county marked by ethnic, racial, and religious diversity, it is important to acknowledge these factors’ powerful role in teaching, leading, and learning. Incorporating a more diverse range of topics and perspectives into the curriculum enriches education and caters to a broader array of students. Although it would take time, this approach ensures that education is relevant to each student by considering their unique backgrounds so that every student can feel seen and heard. A diverse curriculum is also fundamental in properly preparing students to navigate the multicultural world we live in successfully.
Understanding the importance of student involvement in shaping the curriculum, they adopted a unique approach. To ensure the curriculum resonates with the students it’s designed for, a team of 16 MCPS students who would be directly impacted by this curriculum worked diligently over the summer to develop the curriculum and course materials under the supervision of the course’s original creators. Their hard work paid off when the Board of Education approved the course in the autumn, and it is now being trialed in seven schools and taught as a class for the second semester.
John F. Kennedy High School Senior Suhani Aryal is one of the students who helped create the APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) studies curriculum. She stated, “For students to feel welcome and accepted in their community, they must see themselves in the curriculum that they’re learning and learn about the identities and cultural backgrounds of their peers. With the implementation of APIDA Studies in more schools, I hope more students are given the ability to see themselves in their curriculum and learn about the identities that make up their peers.”
Incorporating APIDA studies into the MCPS curriculum sets an example and should inspire students and teachers to advocate for the changes they believe in. This course is a sign of progress towards inclusivity.
Written by Nade Phyu of Seneca Valley High School