Building new worlds: The development and implementation of an ethnic studies community education program

• In Event: Roundtable A
  In Roundtable Session: Roundtable A Table 2

Abstract

As secondary-level ethnic studies (ES) is institutionalized, researchers must continue to learn from current ES educators, including those who are not formally trained or working within school settings. Taking up this call, my critical, qualitative study examines how four female, Asian American undergraduates designed a community-led Asian American Studies program for local high school youth of color. Using critical race methodologies, I sought to answer the following question: How is an out-of-school K-12 ES curriculum developed and implemented by a team of community educators? Findings show facilitators relied on an expansive community network, their decision-making was guided by a desire to provide youth with a model of education they did not receive in K-12 schooling, and youths’ own interests and perspectives drove programming. My analyses of participants’ decision-making practices point to instructional and curricular strategies pertinent to the development of future critical ES programs, both in and outside of schools.

Author

• Crystal Charity, University of Maryland, College Park