(NAME-MCE) Social Justice Curriculum K-12

[TADuEst at aol.com]

Greetings, 
We have a local  opportunity to advance diversity education in our schools 
and I would appreciate  any feedback you could provide.   
First, I’d like you to  take a few minutes to google STRIVE.  Some background 
on this organization,  a product of Knowledge Works, will help you understand 
our discussion and  approach.  A key component of STRIVE’s methodology is a 
concentration on  what they term “the new 3 R’s—rigor, relevance and  
relationship.” 
Collectively, we have  created and established many programs and 
opportunities that have provided  students of all backgrounds, beliefs and experiences 
with what some might coin  those “softer skills” that are necessary to survive 
their middle and high school  experiences.  We know that these teachings 
support these students in being  more grounded and aware as they leave the cocoons 
of their homes, schools and  communities. We are confident that we can prepare 
today’s students to have  social as well as academic success as they move from 
high school on to higher  education or into the workforce.   Moreover, given 
the right kind of school  environment, one that embraces, nourishes and values 
individual and diverse  perspectives, we believe we can increase the academic 
success rate of more  students.   With a first-rate planning team  and 
critical stakeholders  assembled by BRIDGES and DISCO, a well researched and 
designed K-12 curriculum  of subjects and programs, and measurement tools to assess 
if the student is  evidencing social growth both in attitude and behavior, this 
community can  distinguish itself by a commitment to give its students a 
complete education.    

It’s a lofty goal, but  not an achievable goal. Aiken University High School 
is about to embark on such  a plan with its 9th grade students, utilizing 
their social studies  and English classes as the place to introduce the type of 
curriculum we’re  discussing.  They have invited us to think with them and in 
turn I am  reaching out to those of you I know have the perspective, wisdom and 
experience  that I do not to lend your voices to this discussion. My goal is 
to bring  together educators of varied types to focus on this project, and in 
doing so  identify what we’d need to provide this to a broader spectrum of 
students.   We are having a meeting next week with local organizations in  
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky to help move forward with this  initiative.   
1)                  What are some resources currently available to help with 
this  initiative? 
What  are those aspects of a child’s social growth and development that (in 
your  opinion) aren’t being or can’t be addressed in formal education  
settings? 
2)                   Who, (individual,  group, entity) if anyone, is 
providing exposure to those aspects of a child’s  social growth and development? 
3)                   Describe the  relationship that would be necessary 
between the entity(ies) and the school in  order to ensure that each child was 
provided with what they need in this  area. 
4)                   In considering a  holistic approach that captures both 
the skills and the general socio-emotional  needs of children entering high 
school, what concepts and practical experiences  would be a part of your 
curriculum? 
Thanks, 
Tracey  DuEst 
Program  Director 
Developing  Inclusive School Communities and Organizations 




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