The states determine what curriculum should be taught for each grade and what classes should be required for graduation. In California, you are all aware of the courses you've had and the general material in them. Well a bill in the California state assembly if passed would require public schools to include gay history. A similar bill was vetoed by the Governor in 2006 The reason for the bill is to create awareness for a minority group that has received bullying, hate crimes, and a higher suicide rate among teens.
Over the years, the history of African Americans, Native americans, women, and many other immigrant ethnic groups have been added to history requirements. How is this similar or different?
While sharing your opionion about the teaching of gay history, refrain from lifestyle judgements or rude comments. You will be deleted, fail to receive credit and possibly school actions depending on the severity of your comments.
Read the linked article above to see arguments on both sides.
Do you believe this should be added to public school curriculum or not? If so, what grades might be appropriate? Give your reasoning.
Personally, I do not think there should be a whole segment in history classes to learn about gay history. It would be okay to add it in while learning about the minorities and struggles of American history but not a unit or chapter on it. Yes it's good to be aware of social issues such as gay history but it is such a small category to spend time and resources on, no offense.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that gay history should not be added to public schools curriculum. This is similar to other social issues that we learn about in history but in my opinion it's just not as important
ReplyDeleteVictor Alvarez
Mr.Sloan
P 5
This is the same basis. They are a minority and need to be heard just the same. Though it is debatable if it should be required to be heard. Just as people get out of rated R movies this should be the same. But it should be included
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think gay history should be a requirement for graduation nor an elective. Having a gay history segment would not be and should not be something that is required to learn. It's everywhere now-a-days, you shouldn't have a class that tells you about the history just so people will stop bullying a gay man or woman. I could understand if there was a glbt club but history about it in class?
ReplyDeleteAdilene Vazquez
Sloan Period 1
I believe that there's a purpose to adding gay history to the school curriculum. Students should be informed of the significant Supreme Court cases and civil rights issues the minority group has faced. If students are informed of women civil battles and African American history, why not inform students about the battles faced by gay groups. If students are taught in a strictly educational way, no students should feel offended.
ReplyDeleteDevin Smith, Mr. Bauer, P.1.
As much as id rather not learn about gay history lol we still should have to because we vote on alot of stuff for gays. Not a whole segment but just maybee like a few pages or somethin.
ReplyDeletejake beilby
I think it's a good idea for students to be informed about gay history; but there are so many other social issues to learn about that I don't think it'd be smart to dedicate an entire unit in school to it. When teachers go over social issues the US has faced in class, gay history should definitely be covered along with everyone else. All minority groups should be covered because the issues all deserve to be heard, including gay history. If a school did decide to cover it, it should start at the end of middle school or the beginning of high school.
ReplyDeleteThere may be a good point in the fact that they are a repressed minority similar to other minorities that we study in history. However, gay people are still not fully accepted in society and leaning the history in school may make many parents uneasy or angry. Because most of California is unable to accept the gay population, i think it would be a constant uphill battle to make it a mandatory history topic.
ReplyDeletekayla smith
sloan per 2
i dont think gay history should be allowed in school. African American, Native American and women's rights have all had huge movements that put them into history books. You don't see bird watchers in the history books. Talking about how wildlife lands are being taken away by malls and other industrial sites. so i just believe that gay history isnt a deserving topic for the history books until they make some radical laws.
ReplyDeleteMaria Perez
ReplyDeleteSloan Per:4
I believe that the gay history should not be included as a teaching for public schools, because even though their history is not being taught, most people already know about them, and the troubles they face.
We dont learn about straight history so why do we need to learn about gay history. It is a persons choice in what they believe in and what they want to do in a relationship. So I do not beleive it should be taught in school.
ReplyDeleteSpencer Pellandini
Sloan
P.1
I see the point people are making like Kayla said, but I don't think there should be a whole unit on the topic. It is important to know about all parts of our history, but like others have said, there are other topics that need more attention than this one. With so many different views on the matter, many people might be angered if they learned that gay history would be required. I understand why this bill was suggested; any type of hate crime is simply unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that gay history has a major historical significance in comparison to things like the civil war and the constitution. However, if they want to teach against bullying and hate crimes they should have a cirriculum about that. Sloan per 1
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good idea for students to learn about gay history since it is such a controversial and relevant issue nowadays. Education will not solve everything since there are so many other factors that shape people's beliefs, but i think this is a step in the right direction for acceptance. Bauer/Sloan
ReplyDeleteWe can't just pretend like gays don't exist... and learning about something doesn't mean you have to approve of it so I don't see what it would hurt just to be more knowledgeable on a subject.
ReplyDeleteSloan Per. 3
Bauer Per. 4
It is undeniable that our society has gay and lesbian influence. In addition, we as citizens have voted on gay and lesbian related issues. They are a minority group that have experienced hate and bullying. I believe if these things are happening in society then they should be taught. Having said that, gay history should be included in minority history. Dedicating an entire chapter to gay history is not needed.
ReplyDeleteGabriella Cello P.3 Mr.Sloan
i think that learning about gay history wouldnt be a bad idea becasue its histroy that has impacted the lives of many today.It would not be a bad idea to learn more about issues like that.
ReplyDeleteClarisa Carrillo
Per.4
Sloan
The educational infrastructure of this nation is crumbling. The United States is ranked 18th in secondary education, far behind nations such as South Korea and China.
ReplyDeleteNo need to worry! Students in California will have a greater understanding of homosexuality.
Who needs math and science anyways? It’s not like kids in both Europe and Asia are surpassing us academically.
(Sloan P.3/Bauer P.4)
Kevin Krivda, Bauer P1
ReplyDeleteI dont think that gay history should be taught in schools. yes there are a minority in our country I guess but their movements are not as relevant as women movements, native americans, or african americans. It wold be best to leave it out. Planning on being a history teacher myself, I wouldnt want to teach gay history.
I honestly don't have a strong opinion on this matter. Part of me can understand why some individuals see the importance of adding some gay history. A full unit, I disagree with. A couple page segment couldn't hurt. If it wasn't added I wouldn't throw a hissy fit either.
ReplyDeleteMarklin Nixon
Mr. Sloan Economics Period 1
I also think that this is a unnecessary thing that they want to add the history of gays in the history being thought in schools i mean its really not that important there are way more better things out there that could take the place of gay history any way its not important why waist time showing kids about it .
ReplyDeletericardo villalpando
pr5
sloan
I understand gays have been discrimnated against like any minority. But when we look at minorities, we mean ethnicities and race. The article even said that being gay hasn't yet been explained. Does a person choose to be or is that person bon with it? Your ethnicity is plain and simple; you were born with it. I do agree that schools should maybe have an assembly or a week on the consequences on bullying towards gays but there are other groups who also get picked on. I don't see why we should single out gays only. It should not be mandatory to learn in school. what academic advantage will we obtain from learning about the past of gays? There is no purpose for it academically. Like i said before, morally, the schools could hold an assembly with presentations and statistics and all that good stuff to try and persuade kids to stop the bullying.
ReplyDeleteAlthough gay history is a very small topic, I think it should be taught in schools, just like all other minority party histories are taught. Because this is not as significant as other histories, I can see why it has not been included before. There shouldn't be a lot of emphasis on this topic because there are other more important historical subjects that should be taught instead.
ReplyDeleteI think that gay history should not be required in the curriculum. There are already many important details that are left out of the curriculum because there is already a lot of material that we have to learn. I understand why they are doing this, and if it is added it should be a page or three. If this comes to be part of te curriculum then they should add it only to the higher grade levels in high school. I think that the lower grades in high school are not mature enough, and anybody younger may not understand or there might be to much protest from parents. Either way I think that its unlikly that the bill will pass.
ReplyDeletei agree that the gay history should be added because teens can know the history about it and maby they wont bully those that are gay or bi-sexual. I think they should start teaching about gay history in 8th grade or the beginning of high school thats when teens are starting to become more mature.But who knows if this law will pass.
ReplyDeletetania hinojosa
sloan p5
I absolutely believe that gay history should be taught in public schools. There is so much that people don't know about it, because some are afraid of the topic and others think it doesn't matter and the topic is insignificant. There are important Supreme Court cases that deal with homosexuality like Bowers v. Hardwick and Lawrence v. Texas. These cases changed things for gay people, especially the latter. It does not need its own chapter in a book, but it definitely needs to be included when covering minorities and those who have not always received equal rights and protection under the law. Another reason why this should be taught in our schools is to make everyone more knowledgeable about what gay people have gone and still go through. Especially at our school, just walking around you can hear derogatory terms, such as fag, every time you take a step. So many gay teens take their own lives because of the names they get called and how often people pick on them. Maybe if gay history was taught in our schools, those who use hurtful words may understand what it does to people and they will watch what they say and have some compassion.
ReplyDeleteI believe that gay history shouldn't be added to the history curriculum. That is a lifestyle choice that causes much controversies so making people and teens learn about something they may not agree with and is against there relegion isn't right.
ReplyDeleteAdding gay history to the California curriculum is similar to adding women history and african american history because it played a significant role in the united states history but it is different because this was something that crossed religious views very closely. I do see this as something that should be added to the curriculum because it is such a big part of US history but I think it would only be appropriate if taught to the upperclassman.
ReplyDeleteSteffanie Eisenga
Sloan
Per.5
i dont think there is much value in teaching gay history. if there is prejudice, there is prejudice. it's programed by the community and parents, the best way to remove it, or lessen the severity of it, is to explain and demonstrate tolerance. unfortunately alot of adults are not good examples of this, but the best way would to teach tolerance would be to tell students to be tolerant and explain that there is no logical reason to hate a homosexual, not just listing the injustices endured by the homosexual community. requiring homosexual history as graded class material would not only be controversial but some individuals are so prejudiced against the homosexual community that they would fight tooth and nail to get the class removed and to make an example, a homosexual student might end up with more abuse because of the attention attracted to the "issue"
ReplyDeleteI dont believe that gay history should be part of a curriculum.this is somthing that people choose to be, and many people are not very open to learning about this topic.
ReplyDeletemonica salazar
p4
Is it alright for state to include some gay history, since other civil rights movements get discussed? Yes it is all right, but the purpose of the law seems to be putting the history in textbook to create awareness of a minority group, it isn't really educational. Are textbooks going to be able to write about the concept with objectivity, probably not at this time when this minority group is fighting for rights. If the purpose were strictly educational, it would be alright for the states to include some gay history.
ReplyDeleteGay history?? I think that sounds plain ridiculous, especially having it as a requirement. I also think that the major of parents would not agree with this bill. Why would we as students would want to learn about gay history, to be honest i dont even know why we need to learn would history. T think that the only history that should be tough should be U.S
ReplyDeleteI think it really not a necessary to have kids learn about this but if they want its up to them any way the government will probably not like it later on any way its really not an important thing to learn about
ReplyDeleterichard manzo
sloan pr5
history has had many times of hardships due to belives , likeings, and whants ...it is clear that in any historical period there have been people whom are gay. it is clear that many people form judgements through the popular belive and the norms of society. and as history is tought and accepted in society gay history is part of any history and therfor haveing an educated society will help prevent the sky roketing rates of suicide. i belive having the oportunity for kids to learn about gay history is a good idea , but it nedds to be tought at a reasonable age in order for kids to understand the history.
ReplyDeleteAlondra Munoz
sloan p5
While I would much rather prefer that everyone just get along in the first place, I do think that having a gay history section or whatever would be beneficial to our overall knowledge. I also think that we should try to include as much history on as many different peoples as humanly possible so that we can have a greater understanding of humans as a whole. Of course, this could be remedied with an anthropology class separate of history, but that's beside the point. But, I do think that including more courses would not at all change people's views on certain things. Even though many minority history courses are taught, there is still hate and prejudice. It's human, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteBrian S.
Per. 4 Sloan
I believe the gay history should be addded to public schools' curriculm. It will help to inform students about history. And i think devin pretty much said it, no students should be offended if the history was taught in a strictly educational way.
ReplyDeletei do no think a whole unit on gay history should be added to our history curriculum. i do not have a problem with a few sections being in it though. i just do not think it should be focused on a whole chapter about it. i think it would cause many arguments and controversies in class. to be honest though, if a whole unit was added about it, i wouldnt be upset about it.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it would not be a good idea for the government to add gay history into the cirriculum because there would be many kids that would just take it as a joke or make fun of it the whole time. These lessons will most likely not be taken seriously and I think they will end up being a waste of time. Once it is widely accepted in society it should be added to the cirriculum but I don't think society is at that point yet.
ReplyDeleteZach Mietz
I personally believe that "gay history" should not be taught, or for that matter even be required as a necessary course to be included for students to learn. Some might even take this as a joke, or furthermore not even take it a seriously as a core class such a english or math. Lastly teaching curriculum like this might even arouse problems, because some students would not want to learn about it, or simply choose the fact to ignore it.
ReplyDeleteBrian Leiva
Mr. Sloan
Period 5
I think we should not incorporate homosexuality into our school society. Especially not in elementary school. Kids are so impressionable at that age and its not right to make them question. Man and woman are supposed to be together that's how it is supposed to be. So i disagree
ReplyDeleteI think implementing gay history into the curriculum is a wonderful idea. It doesn't have to be a massive section like African American civil rights, but a small portion would do just fine. Our current youth is so ignorant when it comes to understanding the struggle of homosexuals in America.
ReplyDeletei think that gay history should at least be a unit in the history books because i think that the events that they have been put through are important. i think that schools have a lesson on this topic. i think that schools should teach this to juniors and seniors.
ReplyDeleteerika oropeza
mr.sloan
p.4
I think they should not make gay history part of the curiculum because you can't legally get married as a gay cuple in California so why should we have to learn about something that is no right ?
ReplyDeleteThomas Shelton
P.5.
Mr.Sloan
I believe that gay history should not be required. That would be taking up time that is more relevant to the requirements we already have. Also of people think gay history so important then the schools cab find other ways to accomodate there requst, such as after school programs or course not required dto graduate. Also that would cause alot of problems, many students will make more offensive comments. It would jst be bad for every reason.
ReplyDeleteFaye roberson
bauer
period 5
I agree with what Mark Leno said in the article about how "...people dislike and fear that with which we are less familiar”. While it would no doubt face an enormous amount of criticism by many, I feel sure that someday gay history will be included in regular schooling. Maybe not soon, but someday.
ReplyDeleteI personally dont think gay history would be a good think to learn in school. This would be a waste of time when u could rather be learning about something more important than gay history.
ReplyDeleteI personally dont think gay history would be a good think to klearn in school. This would be a waste of time when u could rather be learning something more important than gay history.
ReplyDeleteJonathan Ramos
Mr. Bauer
Per.2
I dont believe that gay history should be taught in school. Yes, it is important for people to know that hate crimes against gays are not okay but there is more important things that can be taught in school.
ReplyDeletei think that it should be taught in schools. it is a huge social issue at hand and this minority group should be recognized. they have been ridiculed all throughout their lives and i feel like students should be aware of all of this history. it is a huge controversial topic and i dont think some students are mature enough to handle this subject.
ReplyDeleteI believe that gay history shouldn't be added to the curriculum because that is a lifestyle the some people choose that causes like problems and making people and teens learn about something they may not agree with and is against there religion.
ReplyDeleteStephanie A
Mr. Sloan
Per.4
I think this is a great idea!!! If it was implemented in younger elementary school,years ago. There would be nothing wrong with putting a segment about gay history in the classrooms, except the fact that there are too many people now that are against gays and have a negative attitude towards it. If kids learned about gays earlier in their lives, they may not be so negative about the idea.
ReplyDeleteDanielle
Sloan p.4
I personally wouldn't want to learn about gay history because it doesn't interest me in any way. It may be an uncomfortable topic to many students as well. But i don't have anything against it, i think that if gay history was brought up in school then it would be ok because it doesn't make it any different from bringing native american history, women history, immigration history or any other ethnicity group history. If gay history was required than it will reduce the discrimination against gay people.
ReplyDeleteKaren Villasenor
Mr. Bauer
Per:2
I Personally wouldn't want to learn about gay history because it doesn't interest me in any way. I have nothing it against it, i dont believe its a bad idea because bringing gay history to our studies isn't any different from bringing native american hisory, women's history, immigration history, or any other ethnicity group history. I think it would actually reduce the discrimination that people have against the gays and bi-sexuals.
ReplyDeleteKaren Villasenor
Mr. Bauer
Per:2
This should not be taught in our schools. The gays have not had it that rough, they're just overreacting. All this teach the next generation about the hardships of minority groups thing is just a cog in the liberals' plan to secure the future vote.
ReplyDeletehonestly this bill doesnt affect me. i dont really care if people learn about gay history or not. now to make it a required class i think is unnessacary because people dont HAVE to know about the history of gay. yeah for some people it may be interesting and if they want, they can take that class for an easy passing grade. this class should not be required to graduate but can be used as an elective.
ReplyDeleteBlake Harrison
Period 3
Bauer
In my opinion gay's are really saying and pushing that homosexuality is ok, which is fine they are who they are but they're taking it to a point were it has no use. Bullying wise a lot of that comes from the parents itself, and a lot of the kids that get bullyed never speak up in the first place a lot of these things are just common sense.
ReplyDeleteI think that there are many more choices that could be taught in school. Gay history isn't somthing that everyone needs to learn about. Alot of people may have somthing against the topic and it could cause many problems in class and around school. Everyone has there own opinion on gayness so why would u want to teach a topic that would cause many arguments.
ReplyDeleteThe history being taught in school is good enough. I meanbim all for gay history but honestly it doesnt add to what teaxhers are trying to already put into our heads. Joeliane Muegge Sloan P.5
ReplyDelete