Spring Break
Portland Schools rethink plan
Editorial Board
Issue date: 5/13/08 Section: Forum
Monday, Portland Public Schools adopted a plan to educate eighth-graders on the trials and tribulations of Oregon's history.
The plan, which will include a new textbook, has detailed lesson plans for discussion and creating a safe space for students and hopes to engage students in a discussion of historical perspectives.
The text focuses on the experiences of Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans and Latinos in Oregon, according to a story in The Oregonian on May 12.
Marcia Arganbright, district director of curriculum and instruction, told The Oregonian, "This is not your traditional Oregon history kids may have learned in social studies class in fourth grade."
The district is going to be using "Beyond the Oregon Trail," a text that took authors nearly a year to make the content suitable for a 13-year-old's intellect and emotional maturity, according to The Oregonian.
Lessons will introduce words such as empathy, bias, racism and privilege.
Not too long ago, a Barometer story about the "Blackout Reser" event and a noose hanging in a tree outside of a fraternity challenged our campus' empathy, bias and understanding.
The Portland Public School District should be applauded for their efforts.
We sincerely hope it works.
For us, it's about time for this type of education to come at an early age. Lessons taught can be a catalyst for change.
The Oregon University System as well as the rest of Oregon's public schools should follow suit in a plan that teaches the lessons of our area.
We inhabit the Northwest. It is only appropriate that we know the history and baggage that has been accumulated.
For example, as reported in The Oregonian, in 1844 - after slavery became illegal in Oregon - residents passed a "Lash Law" requiring black residents to be whipped twice a year until they left the state.
In 1862, African Americans, Chinese, Hawaiians and multiracial people were required to pay an annual tax of $5 to live in the state.
Today that would equate to $770.
Our campus, our kids and our society need the type of education that Portland is now offering. Honestly, we wish that this had been a part of our eighth-grade education.
A piece that many believe was missing has now been installed. Here's to spreading the word.
Editorials serve as a means for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale or diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board's majority.
The plan, which will include a new textbook, has detailed lesson plans for discussion and creating a safe space for students and hopes to engage students in a discussion of historical perspectives.
The text focuses on the experiences of Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans and Latinos in Oregon, according to a story in The Oregonian on May 12.
Marcia Arganbright, district director of curriculum and instruction, told The Oregonian, "This is not your traditional Oregon history kids may have learned in social studies class in fourth grade."
The district is going to be using "Beyond the Oregon Trail," a text that took authors nearly a year to make the content suitable for a 13-year-old's intellect and emotional maturity, according to The Oregonian.
Lessons will introduce words such as empathy, bias, racism and privilege.
Not too long ago, a Barometer story about the "Blackout Reser" event and a noose hanging in a tree outside of a fraternity challenged our campus' empathy, bias and understanding.
The Portland Public School District should be applauded for their efforts.
We sincerely hope it works.
For us, it's about time for this type of education to come at an early age. Lessons taught can be a catalyst for change.
The Oregon University System as well as the rest of Oregon's public schools should follow suit in a plan that teaches the lessons of our area.
We inhabit the Northwest. It is only appropriate that we know the history and baggage that has been accumulated.
For example, as reported in The Oregonian, in 1844 - after slavery became illegal in Oregon - residents passed a "Lash Law" requiring black residents to be whipped twice a year until they left the state.
In 1862, African Americans, Chinese, Hawaiians and multiracial people were required to pay an annual tax of $5 to live in the state.
Today that would equate to $770.
Our campus, our kids and our society need the type of education that Portland is now offering. Honestly, we wish that this had been a part of our eighth-grade education.
A piece that many believe was missing has now been installed. Here's to spreading the word.
Editorials serve as a means for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale or diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board's majority.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
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