Curriculum Now Available!
The highly anticipated moment is here! SERC is incredibly pleased to share the results of hard work and dedication to the development of CT's African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Course of Studies. History in the making! Thank you!
Download the Curriculum Here
Updated October 1, 2021
Changelog: What's new in this revision?
In the News: Will teaching Black and Hispanic history help replace ignorance with cultural understanding? (Editorial)
Weruché George writes in the Opinion section of the CT Mirror:
“Two years ago this month, the State of Connecticut took a bold step when it included the teaching of Black and Latino studies in the curriculum. More noble is the fact that Connecticut was the first state in the country to roll this out … Just as we honor human rights this month, I celebrate what looks like the beginning of the end of racism — and hope other states in America will follow suit.
Weruché George
Curriculum Book Bundle Information
There is no single text for this course. Please refer to full the curriculum document for curated unit materials and updated reference list, located at https://pa1912.serc.co/curriculum-download/. Note, SERC has arranged for centralized purchasing of a Book Bundle with Barnes and Noble on behalf of the CSDE. This allows schools across the state to receive both the education and quantity discount. It is anticipated that the Book Bundle will be purchased as a complete set by each school and exclusively available to teachers of the course and Social Studies Department. A second set will be provided by SERC, at no cost to school/district, to be housed in the library of each school for general teacher, student, and community access. (Additional copies of individual items in the Book Bundle, Supplemental Teacher Resources, and Student Resources on reference list may be purchased based on need and/or at the discretion of each school/district.)
- To purchase a bundle, please reach out to your Barnes & Noble representative listed below with your district approved purchase order and contact/shipping information by January 6, 2023.
- If you have already purchased a bundle, please reach out to your Barnes & Noble representative for books on updated reference list with your district approved purchase order and contact/shipping information.
- If you have purchased bundle from another district approved vendor, please provide copy of invoice to Heather Dawes, Project Specialist, SERC at dawes@ctserc.org and your contact/shipping information for second set.
- If financial hardship is impeding the purchase of first set, please contact Ingrid M. Canady, Executive Director, SERC at canady@ctserc.org.
Based on the above, a second set of Book Bundle will be distributed to schools automatically on behalf of the CSDE/SERC using the same contact and shipping information. (Note, school licensing, digital access information, and facilitation guides for films from private filmmakers are in process.)
Barnes & Noble Regional Representatives: Lacey Byrne (Northwest, Northeast, and Central Connecticut) Mobile: 860-817-8477 lbyrne1@bn.com, Tricia Tierney (Southern & Coastal CT) 401-602-5263 ptierney@bn.com, Lisa Colombo (Southeast CT) 401-486-6057 lcolombo@bn.com.
2022-2023 Training Series Openings
Based on volume of interest, the CSDE/SERC has decided to open the remaining sessions in the 2022-2023 Training Series to new participants. Please use the Google Form link below to complete the information needed to participate in the Orientation Session scheduled for Thursday, November 17th from 2:30-3:30pm, and to select the Cadre from remaining training dates below, including June Showcase that you are available to attend. (All sessions will be held virtually from 9-3.). We look forward to welcoming you to our professional learning community.
Please direct questions to Heather Dawes, Project Specialist, at SERC dawes@ctserc.org.
Cadre 1 – December 1 and 2, February 2 and 3, March 23 and 24, June 2
Cadre 2 – December 6 and 7, February 7 and 8, March 28 and 29, June 2
Cadre 3 – December 8 and 9, February 9 and 10, March 30 and 31, June 2
Google Form Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScE7ex3QVkcDPlErxtLipGSqa1pjN5AeKp9zttxO7_HID1IVQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
In the News: Students, teachers praise Black, Latino studies course in mandate’s first year: ‘This is U.S. history’
In the Hartford Courant, Alison Cross writes, “This school year marks the first time that Connecticut districts were required to offer the course, which 54 high schools piloted during the 2021-2022 year. The full-year history elective covers African American, Black, Puerto Rican and Latino political movements, cultural contributions, struggles and more.” She further interviews a variety of students taking the course, and teachers, administrators, and others involved in the course’s creation.
Request for Proposals (RFP) for the African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Course of Studies Implementation (Round 3)
SERC RFP Number: BLC082022
State Education Resource Center (SERC)
Contact Person: Michelle LeBrun-Griffin (griffin@ctserc.org)
On June 23, 2021, CT PA 21-2 identified SERC as the lead organization for coordination and provision of professional learning and implementation support for CT’s African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Course of Studies.
SERC is seeking competitive proposals from qualified and interested organizations or individuals with proven expertise and experience in external evaluation.
“Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2019) (a) For the school year commencing July 1, 2021, and each school year thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall include African-American and black studies and Puerto Rican and Latino studies as part of the curriculum for the school district, pursuant to section 10-16b of the general statutes, as amended by this act.”