Educators weigh in on diverse curriculum legislation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — A handful of bills already signed into law could change lesson plans across Illinois.

From LGBTQ issues, to Muslim American experiences, to now a House bill pushing for more Native American history filed on Jan. 13, 2022.

Josh Kaufmann is the Senior Executive Director in Illinois for Teach Plus.

It's a non-profit group that helps teachers incorporate their voices into education policy.

Kaufmann said these bills aren't necessarily adding more curriculum, but rather updating the current lessons.

"It'd be a shift rather than an add on to," Kaufmann said. "What these bills are doing are trying to create a better country to be more inclusive of the people whose stories we're teaching within our schools."

Some of these bills call on the Illinois State Board of Education to make diverse teams of educators to create this curriculum.

Both Kaufmann and Greenview School District superintendent Ryan Heavner said these initiatives need to come with more resources.

"I would really hope if we're going to do a project like this, the state of Illinois would take the time to find the right people to represent all people," Heavner said, who also used to teach history.

Teachers say with this new legislation comes new costs and a need for training.

"The teachers that I've talked to did point out a challenge, though," Kauffman said. "The resources created by the state board do have to get into their hands and they do need new training around it."

State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. is a democrat representing Illinois's 21st district.

He filed an amendment in May to bring in more education on Muslim Americans and different religions.

That legislation is now a part of ISBE's Mandated Units of Study, which can be viewed here.

"What the bill is trying to accomplish is just making sure we're intentional in mentioning people based on their faith practices and what they contributed to U.S. society," Rep. Edgar Jr. said.

ISBE said they want lawmakers to keep in mind the number of unfunded mandates and their impact on teachers.

They also make it clear school districts always have local control over curriculum decisions.

In a statement they say in part:

ISBE typically convenes diverse workgroups of educators, advocates, administrators, and other stakeholders to review and compile free resources to assist districts in implementing the new law. ISBE is very supportive of the intent of these laws.

Many of these bills went into effect starting this year, but some curriculum won't be taught in classes until the 2022-2023 school year.