OPINIONS
UPDATE TO THE SENIOR AVID CURRICULUM How the addition of Stamped provides far-reaching yet lasting benefits
T writer
14 | THE PROSPECTOR
his year, the Fremont Union High School District updated the senior AVID curriculum to tackle racism and anti-racism by having students read the book Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. AVID, the Advancement Via Individual Determination program, has been implemented in schools across the country. It prepares students for college by establishing strong academic habits such as taking notes, researching colleges, scheduling workloads and building stronger relationships with their peers. In addition to these skills, senior AVID students spend their time applying for colleges and learning about general life skills. The update to the curriculum, although a departure from previous senior experiences, offers AVID students a vital chance to reflect on race in an ac-
cessible and education-oriented depth. It dives deeper into certain way. moments of American history to As menanalyze how tioned frewhat hapquently pened in the throughout past affects [STAMPED ] IS DEFIthe book, people’s NITELY MORE ACCESSIBLE the novel privileges AND IS WRITTEN IN A STYLE does not today and THAT I THINK IS EASIER FOR aim for the in the future. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO same forThe remixed GRASP. mal style Stamped is MICHELE AVVAKUMOVITZ as a tradifaster-paced tional histoas it quickly ry book. Inglosses over stead, as the novel’s tagline says, the events in the original book with the novel is meant to “help us bet- straight-to-the-point analysis. ter understand why we are where Adding Stamped to the senior we are” by combing through AVID curriculum was a surprise for America’s racist past the 2022 senior AVID class. The and pointexpansion was led by the decision ing out the flaws of previous AVID teacher, Ms. Roand institu- bison, and current teacher Mr. Fitztionalized rules in- patrick, according to current AVID tended to oppress, teacher Mrs. Avvakumovitz. all with an energized Said Avvakumovitz, “I got the narrative. Stamped is senior lesson plans from Ms. Roa “remix” of the non-fic- bison and Fitzpatrick and saw tion book Stamped from that it was in [the FUHSD AVID the Beginning by one digital curriculum folders].” Given of Stamped’s co-au- its ubiquity throughout the Disthors, Ibram X. Ken- trict, Stamped or another book di. The main differ- focused on anti-racism will likely ence between the stay in the curriculum, although two texts is that there may not be many other apStamped from proved options. Stamped was one the Beginning of the only school board-approved is more in- books dedicated to teaching racial
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SLAVA MIROSHNICHENKO
