Multicultural and Social Studies Standards are inextricably intertwined, for one informs the other. In order for students to gain understanding of diverse cultures and histories, it becomes essential to draw from both bodies of knowledge. Combined together, the curriculum can be restructured to include and embrace multiple perspectives and voices, an authentic and powerful path to build upon "Courageous Conversations" and to address issues of disproportionality.

The purpose of this document is to incorporate multicultural dimensions into Social Studies in order to better serve and meet the needs of Seattle Public Schools' total student population. Whenever appropriate, culturally relevant considerations are integrated into the Social Studies content areas. The rationale is based on the notion of "Diversity within Unity" or the "Many in One" in our schools.

If we are truly and fully engaged in issues of diversity, then the structure of the curriculum must be transformed to view concepts from multiple perspectives. Culturally relevant views coupled with high expectations and rigor, will increase learning opportunities for all students.

The concepts and themes embedded in Social Studies can be used as an organizational means for integration. Using concepts that go across disciplines richly related, connected, and comparative learning experiences can be designed. This results in more memorable, meaningful student learning. With the notion of less is more, teachers can organize curriculum conceptually in an interdisciplinary fashion and meet multiple content standards simultaneously, thereby decreasing a fragmented and heavy workload.

Given the wide array of standards in Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science already in place, the team's intent was to produce a document at once direct, clear, concise, and user-friendly.