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UPDATE TO THE SENIOR AVID CURRICULUM

How the addition of Stamped provides far-reaching yet lasting benefits

SLAVA MIROSHNICHENKO

writer

This 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 accessible and education-oriented depth. It dives deeper into certain way. moments of American history to

As men- analyze how tioned fre- what hapquently throughout the book, the novel “ [STAMPED ] IS DEFINITELY MORE ACCESSIBLE AND IS WRITTEN IN A STYLE pened in the past affects people’s privileges does not THAT I THINK IS EASIER FOR today and aim for the same formal style as a tradi“ HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO GRASP. MICHELE AVVAKUMOVITZ in the future. The remixed Stamped is faster-paced tional histo- as it quickly ry book. In- glosses 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 rac- ist past the 2022 senior AVID class. The and point- expansion 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

awareness and anti-racist thinking, even in alternative readings. Across the country, Stamped and other books focused on race have been frequently banned, possibly contributing to there being only limited choices available.

With recent controversy surrounding critical race theory taught in schools

and the “frequent banning of books on racial topics, i m plementing Stamped in the AVID curriculum is a step towards a more racially-aware future. Among other books talking about racism, such as So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo or White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, Stamped stood out as an easier read for such a complex topic, making it a good choice for high school students.

Said Avvakumovitz, “I think [Stamped] is definitely more accessible and is written in a style that I think is easier for high school students to grasp.” Having Stamped available to students allows hard conversations about race. Avvakumovits’ AVID classroom has already participated in a Socratic

discussion about the topics mentioned in the book, such as microaggressions, unrecognized privilege and living life as an anti-racist. Although a book on racism may seem misaligned with AVID’s goals for senior students, thinking deeply about racism and how to opw pose it THE UPDATE [...] OFFERS may AVID STUDENTS A VITAL CHANCE TO REFLECT ON RACE IN AN ACCESSIBLE AND EDUCATION-ORIENTED WAY.“ turn out to be the most important way they prepare for college and the world beyond Cupertino