“It Has to Be Done, but I’m Worried”: Developing and Implementing a Black History Course

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Approaches to Curriculum in History Education (Table 2)

Abstract

Recently, Black history education has become more popular in K-12 settings. Labeled divisive and dangerous by critics, these courses address the contentious nature of American history. This study seeks to understand issues in the development, implementation, and continuation of a high school Black history course more deeply. Set in western New York state, this study – which employs both case study and critical autoethnographic approaches - details the story of the creation of a Black history course at one public school complete with all its accomplishments and challenges.

Author

• Greg Simmons, University at Buffalo - SUNY