The purpose of Step Three is to investigate various options for implementing an ethnic studies course. Important decisions will need to be made to address the following course options:

• Option One: Will ethnic studies be implemented as a stand-alone course? If so, how will it be implemented?

  • as a one semester course?

  • as a one year course?

  • as a series of courses?

  • as an elective available at more than one grade level?

• Option Two: Will ethnic studies be integrated into an existing course? If so,

  • what content area(s)?

  • what grade level(s)?

• Option Three: Thematic/Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies Approach?

  • What themes and concepts will be utilized?

  • What courses can this be integrated into?

• Option Four: Can a combination of approaches be implemented?

As you proceed through this investigation, consider the following:

• District Lens - which approach(es) will best meet the needs of the district and community?

• School/District capacity - which approach(es) is/are best suited for schools, considering the capacity of staff, facilities, and funding?

• Master schedule - which approach(es) will best align to master schedules or existing programs at schools?