Ethnic Studies at Seattle Public Schools

Ethnic studies is a curriculum program and discipline of study in all grades and content areas focused on the experiences of people and communities of color with an emphasis on indigeneity.

Ethnic studies has been shown to improve academic engagement and success in every unit of measure regardless of race or socio-economic status. It has proven to decrease bias, while increasing empathy, a sense of shared humanity and community, identity safety, and civic engagement.

Background

The Seattle Public Schools Board adopted a resolution in support of Ethnic Studies in 2017 thanks to the activism of students, families, and educators. Led by the NAACP and supported by Seattle Education Association’s Center for Race and Social Justice, educators have been working to build a program reflective of the needs, demands, and concerns of our community.

In response to a resolution by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Seattle Public Schools began work to expand and improve ethnic studies in the curriculum of its schools.

A combined citizen and staff task force began work to develop recommendations and form a working group to begin to develop curriculum.