Education advocates have pushed for ethnic studies for years. Are leaders listening?

Amy Russo, Providence Journal
Updated ·3 min read

PROVIDENCE – Ethnic-studies advocates have long wanted a curriculum overhaul in the city's public schools.

Soon, they may get some of what they want.

In April, the Providence School Board approved a non-binding resolution to implement an ethnic-studies graduation requirement across all schools in the district by 2026.

Still in question: How much weight that decision will carry with the district, which remains under state control.

Ethnic studies remains an elective

In a statement, Providence Public School District spokesman Jay Wegimont said PPSD "is committed to integrating ethnic studies across all courses and supports introducing an updated ethnic studies elective at the high school level."

More: 360 High School closure in Providence sparks federal lawsuit. What we know

He described the district as the first in the state to have a new Advanced Placement African American Studies course and said the district will soon be meeting with leaders of the push for ethnic studies. But so far, PPSD has not shared any details on what a required ethnic studies course might look like, or when it might be implemented.

The elective Wegimont mentioned is just that – elective. A couple of elective credits are usually required for graduation, but they're lumped into a menu of options including languages, drawing, ceramics and psychology. Some students in PPSD, such as those at Classical High School, already have an ethnic-studies class available as an elective.

What did the resolution say?

The resolution called not only for an ethnic studies requirement but:

  • a 20% boost in the number of teachers of color every year

  • additional funding

  • training

  • community engagement to hear feedback from students, parents and other locals.

More: 'I am disgusted': Westerly Council descends into shouting, finger-pointing over financial mess

The resolution was created in part by OurSchoolsPVD, a coalition of youth-led groups advocating for curriculum changes. Advocates worked with school board Vice President Travis Escobar, who was appointed under former Mayor Jorge Elorza, to develop the resolution, which got unanimous support from the board.

"I think we feel optimistic," said OurSchoolsPVD Coordinator Preetilata Hashemi. "We feel like ethnic studies would be in the best interest of both students and our community and decision makers."

How do curriculum changes work under the state takeover?

State Department of Education spokesman Victor Morente said it's working with PPSD on a curriculum that fulfills state requirements. Starting with the class of 2028, that will include a total of three social studies credits for high school students.

The state's "definition of social studies supports ethnic studies in that the definition is interdisciplinary," Morente said, later adding that "PPSD can make ethnic studies a requirement if they would like."

Morente also said Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green "has been generally supportive of this work."

While exact changes and a timeline remain unclear, young people supporting the movement say it's about making sure everyone is seen.

"Ethnic studies makes students feel – especially students of color – proud," said Emily Melgar, a Classical High School graduate who serves as a Providence Student Union representative for OurSchoolsPVD. "It ignites that sort of cultural belonging and pride."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Years-long push for ethnic studies in PPSD may be gaining traction