Unbleaching the Curriculum: Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Beyond in Schools and Society

Unbleaching the Curriculum: Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Beyond in Schools and Society offers a new perspective on curriculum design to advance DEI in U.S. public schools, introducing overlooked contributions and promoting greater diversity and inclusion.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 170 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Unbleaching the Curriculum: Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Beyond in Schools and Society is a groundbreaking work that introduces a new perspective to curriculum design in U.S. public schools. By exploring curricular omissions and falsifications, the book aims to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in school processes and practices. It introduces readers to often omitted contributions such as The Teachings of PtahHotep, the oldest book in the world, and The Ahmes Papyrus, the oldest mathematical document in the world, among others. The Nation's Report Card government report indicates that U.S. schools are experiencing modest performance (NAEP, 2022). The unbleaching framework has the potential to improve student performance through curriculum development that is informed by multicultural practices. The eight key tenets and processes of unbleaching provide the context for how the curriculum might address notable omissions and suppressed historical contributions and promote greater DEI in U.S. public schools.

The book begins by examining the historical context of curriculum design in the United States. It highlights the ways in which curriculum has been used to perpetuate systemic racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. It then explores the concept of unbleaching, which involves the process of uncovering and addressing these omissions and falsifications.

One of the key tenets of unbleaching is the recognition of the importance of cultural diversity. The book emphasizes that cultural diversity is not just a matter of race or ethnicity but also includes a wide range of other factors, such as gender, sexual orientation, religion, and socioeconomic status. It argues that curriculum should be designed to reflect the diversity of the student population and to provide opportunities for all students to learn and grow.

To achieve this, the book proposes a series of strategies for unbleaching the curriculum. These strategies include:

• Incorporating multicultural perspectives into the curriculum: This involves incorporating materials and perspectives from different cultures into the curriculum, such as literature, art, music, and history.

• Addressing historical omissions and falsifications: This involves identifying and addressing historical events and figures that have been omitted or suppressed from the curriculum.

• Promoting equity and inclusion: This involves creating a learning environment that is equitable and inclusive for all students, regardless of their background or identity.

• Providing opportunities for student voice and choice: This involves providing students with opportunities to express their opinions and ideas and to make decisions about their learning.

• Using data and evidence to inform curriculum development: This involves using data and evidence to identify areas of need and to develop curriculum that is effective in addressing those needs.

The book also provides examples of how unbleaching the curriculum has been implemented in schools and society. It highlights the success of programs such as the African American History Month and the Women's History Month, which have helped to increase awareness and appreciation of the contributions of different groups to American society.

However, the book also acknowledges that unbleaching the curriculum is not without its challenges. It highlights the need for teachers to be trained in multicultural education and to be able to address the diverse needs of their students. It also highlights the need for schools to have the resources and support necessary to implement unbleaching strategies.

In conclusion, Unbleaching the Curriculum: Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Beyond in Schools and Society is a groundbreaking work that introduces a new perspective to curriculum design in U.S. public schools. By exploring curricular omissions and falsifications, the book aims to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in school processes and practices. It provides a series of strategies for unbleaching the curriculum and provides examples of how it has been implemented in schools and society. However, it also acknowledges that unbleaching the curriculum is not without its challenges and that it requires the support of teachers, schools, and policymakers.

Weight: 236g
Dimension: 229 x 150 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781475871012