How Does Your Curriculum Stack Up?

I have talked in several posts about building a culturally inclusive classroom. One aspect of this is the curriculum you use. While you may not be able to choose it, you can be aware of biases present in order to make appropriate supplementations. Here are some questions to help you think about bias in the curriculum:

• What groups are represented in texts, discussion, and bulletin board displays? Are certain groups invisible?
• Are the roles of minorities and women presented in a separate manner from other content, isolated or treated as a distinct topic?
• Are minorities (and women) treated in a positive, diversified manner, or stereotyped into traditional or rigid roles?
• Are the problems faced by minorities presented in a realistic fashion, with a problem-solving orientation?
• Is the language used in the materials inclusive, or are biased terms used, such as masculine forms?
• Does the curriculum foster appreciation of cultural diversity?
• Are experiences and activities other than those common to middle-class European-American culture included?

These questions are a good starting point to help you evaluate your curriculum and, if bias is found, find authentic resources with which to supplement your curriculum. I hope these are helpful!

Source: Weed, K. Z. & Diaz-Rico, L. T. (2010) The crosscultural, language, and academic development handbook. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.