RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam’s African American History Education Commission is seeking community input as it examines how to strengthen African American history education and the Virginia history education standards in the Commonwealth’s public schools. The Commission is launching a series of public listening sessions in February and March.
The dates and locations of the sessions are as follows:
All listening sessions will take place from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Sessions will begin with a moderated panel discussion facilitated by the members of the Commission, followed by public comment. Speakers will have three minutes each to address the Commission.
In August, Governor Northam signed an executive order establishing the Commission and directing its members to review Virginia’s History and Social Science Standards of Learning and the instructional practices, content, and resources currently used to teach African American history—including the need for professional development for teachers on culturally competent instruction.
The executive order also directed the Virginia Department of Education, in collaboration with Virtual Virginia, WHRO Public Media, history teachers, university historians, and college professors, to develop a high school-level African American history course.
More information about Governor Northam’s African American History Education Commission and the public listening sessions is available on the Commission’s website.
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