by David Safier
This certainly can't be part of the "Florida Education Miracle," can it? Pushing multicultural studies?
The Miami-Dade and Broward districts make it a point to stress multicultural studies in classes. Educators say the curriculum benefits students by exposing them to different cultures throughout their youth, and by sharpening their critical thinking skills.
“We have had an attitude in this district for a long time that diversity needs to be celebrated,'' said John Doyle, who oversees social studies course work for the Miami-Dade district. “We have never tried to downplay the contributions of any group, whether they are in large numbers in this community or not, and our curriculum reflects that.''
Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said teaching diversity is an important part of the district's mission.
“I find it unconscionable that any one educational entity in our nation would dispute the value of teaching diversity,'' he said. “In Miami-Dade, we have made the right decision. . . We find it important to actually teach it.''
[snip]
Joan Wynne, an associate professor of urban education at Florida International University, said ethnic studies help prepare high school graduates for the global economy.
“The fear is that ethnic studies will turn people against each other, but it does just the opposite,'' Wynne said. “By understanding another culture, you understand how to communicate better, and you begin to value their differences, rather than be afraid.''
Yeah, but that only means giving token inclusion of multiculturalism into general classes, right? Wrong.
In addition to the three required areas — Holocaust, African American studies and Hispanic contributions to the United States — Florida also allows schools to teach classes that could be considered ethnic studies, including Caribbean studies, multicultural studies and a course called the American Mosaic.
Oh my God, what will we tell the children Arizona Republican legislators?
Sarcasm aside, the fact is, Florida and Arizona play conservative leap frog with education. Our legislature adopts laws they originate, and their legislature adopts laws AZ originates.
Don't be surprised if an anti-Ethnic Studies bill is introduced in Florida's legislature soon.