Inclusion and Representation of Asian Americans in 50 States' K–12 U.S. History Standards

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Curriculum Studies in the Social Studies

Abstract

Using AsianCrit as a theoretical lens, this study analyzed curricular inclusion and representation of Asian Americans in 50 states’ K-12 US history standards. Analysis revealed that except Japanese incarceration and anti-Asian immigration laws, Asian Americans were largely invisible across the state standards; and when included, Asian Americans were primarily depicted as victims of nativist racism with lack of civic agency as well as new immigrants with little contribution to the nation building. This study extends the scholarship by excavating the nationwide curricular message about Asian Americans and their place in US history. It also debunks how official curriculum serves as a source of symbolic and physical violence against Asian Americans

Author

• Sohyun An, Kennesaw State University