What is the purpose of California Native American Studies Model Curriculum? What grades will the NASMC support?
The NASMC will be written as a guide for school districts and charter schools to adapt their K–12 curriculum across multiple grades and subjects and Native American Studies courses to reflect the student and Tribal demographics in their communities. The curriculum will include examples of courses offered by schools and districts that have been approved as meeting the A–G admissions requirements of the University of California and the California State University. The NASMC and instructional materials will align with the needs of Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K–12) students and teachers. Curricula and instructional materials will be developed in partnership with Tribal and other Native American organizations. In many cases the project will not create new content, but will share Tribally developed curriculum and resources.
This three-year project that will conclude in June 2025, responds to the urgent need to design culturally responsive, placed-based instructional resources and champion California Indian and Native American authored digital units and resources. The NASMC will have a culturally responsive curriculum and educational resources that improve representations and classroom climates for teaching and learning about California's first people. The embedded NASMC professional learning and resources will help teachers and schools educate children and youth about the diverse histories, cultures and contributions of California Native peoples. The NASMC courses, units and resources, including A–G approved high school Native American Studies courses within California’s curriculum, will prepare all students to be global citizens with an appreciation for the contributions of multiple cultures, will close the opportunity gap, reduce student truancy, increase student enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and increase graduation rates.
How will the California Native American Studies Model Curriculum be developed?
By design, the California model curriculum will be developed in partnership with California Native American tribes, Native American educational, cultural experts, K–12 educators, native youth serving organizations, and multiple County Offices of Education. The NASMC will share Tribally developed curriculum and resources and be written as a guide for school districts and charter schools to adapt their K–12 curriculum across multiple grades and subjects and Native American Studies courses to reflect the student and Tribal demographics in their communities. Furthermore, lessons and materials will not be limited to History/Social Science or any one content area. For example, lessons and materials developed and/or shared statewide through the project will support science instruction (i.e. lessons focused on Traditional Ecological Knowledge), art and cultural instruction, history (ranging from Native Peoples and Nations in a school’s local area taught in early grades to lessons on Sovereignty and Treaties taught in high school history and civics classes).
How will the community be involved?
SDCOE and HCOE will host several, virtual and in-person NASMC Community Engagement Listening Circles in Southern California and Northern California respectively. Perspectives and voices of California tribal community members, Native American youth, educators, and cultural bearers will lead the development of NASMC. During NASMC Listening Circles, participants will learn about possible goals, vision, and outcomes of the NASMC; discuss their hopes for the NASMC; and provide guidance on the NASMC Essential Understandings and curriculum topics. In the Listening Circles, There will be more information shared on how to become more involved.
