Changes to the state’s history and social studies Standards of Learning will implement recommendations from Gov. Ralph Northam’s Commission on African Amercian History Education in the Commonwealth.
The changes approved by the state Board of Education will lead to changes in instruction in kindergarten to second-grade, Virginia studies, U.S. hisory to 1865, U.S. history 1865 to the presen and Virginia and U.S. history.
“Incorporating additional context about African American history into the larger historical narrative has never been more important. The approval of these edits to the standards and curriculum framework begins Virginia’s effort to change the course of history and social science instruction to ensure inclusive and culturally relevant content in all grades and courses,” Board of Education President Daniel Gecker said.
According to the state Board of Education, the changes will add depth and context to classes. As an example, the board pointed to fourth-grade curricula that adds more specifics to the 1619 arrival of the first African Americans in North America.
Another recommendation approved by the board is the addition of content about the history of lynching in America to the high school Virginia and U.S. history course.
Northam established the African American History Education Commission in August 2019. The commission comprised educators, historians, museum curators, school board members, faith leaders, school administrators, teachers, parents and other citizens from across the commonwealth.
The commission released its report on Aug. 31. Following a review of the report by Virginia Department of Education instructional staff, Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane recommended that the Board of Education follow a two-step process to implement the commission’s recommendations, with the edits made Thursday representing the first step.
“With the approval of these edits, the board moves Virginia’s history standards to being more inclusive and providing opportunities for students to engage deeply by drawing connections between African American history and its relevance in our contemporary communities,” Board of Education Vice President Jamelle S. Wilson said. “These edits help ensure that all Virginia students develop a comprehensive understanding of all of the voices that contribute to the commonwealth’s story.”
The Board of Education will also consider commission recommendations that would represent the introduction of new content and areas of study during the comprehensive, regularly scheduled review of the History and Social Science Standards of Learning, which will begin next year. The review will culminate with the adoption in 2022 of new history and social science standards.
