LGBTQ-inclusive social studies standards approved for D.C. public schools
The D.C. State Board of Education voted unanimously on June 21 to approve a sweeping revision in the standards for teaching social studies in the city’s public and public charter schools that include a dozen or more LGBTQ-inclusive provisions.
The approval of the LGBTQ-inclusive standards took place just under two years after the D.C. State Board of Education in October 2021 also voted unanimously to approve a resolution introduced by gay board member Allister Chang.
Chang’s resolution calls for inclusive education standards that “reflect on the political, economic, social, cultural, and scientific contributions and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.” A statement released by the nine-member board last week says the changes in the social studies standards, which will apply to students from kindergarten through the 12th grade, will be put in place by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
The action marks the first time the school system’s social studies standards have been updated since 2006, the statement says. “The revision process presented an opportunity for the District’s social studies standards to be culturally responsive and anti-racist, impart important social studies content in the early grades, strengthen student knowledge of democratic principles and values, and promote civic engagement,” the statement says.
