The Black Studies Curriculum
Black Studies as the Study of the World: A PK-12 Black Studies Curriculum for New York City Public Schools
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The curriculum will be available for download once the form is submitted.
“As the first district-wide PK-12 curriculum of its kind, the Black Studies as the Study of the World curriculum will enrich the student learning experience in New York City public schools. This curriculum reflects decades of scholarly research, community organizing, policy advocacy and leadership committed to ensuring students have access to lessons that infuse the experiences of people of African descent in the U.S. and throughout the world. It is now essential that the curriculum is available and accessible to as many New York City schools and students as possible, and we are proud to have the opportunity to prepare educators to implement the curriculum in their classrooms.”
Read the Curriculum Launch Press Release (Summer 2024)
Curriculum Framework
The Black Studies as the Study of the World Curriculum Framework illustrates the chrono-thematic map Black Studies content that progresses across each grade band, from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th Grade, in alignment with units of study for NYC’s Passport to Social Studies scope and sequence (K-8 and 9-12), and the Creative Curriculum (PreK). The Black Studies Curriculum Framework provides the foundation for the lesson plans created for NYCPS and for the future development of the curriculum.
Curriculum Framework Grades PK-5 and 6-12
Lesson Plans
Each of the 100 comprehensive lesson plans in the Black Studies Curriculum are aligned with New York State Social Studies Standards and the Next Gen Standards for English Language Arts and History & Social Studies. The lessons are interdisciplinary, culturally affirming, and relevant to all NYC students as they study the history and contemporary landscapes of America, Africa, and the world.
In the curriculum, lessons are bundled by grade levels. You can jump into these bundles on the following pages: Grades PK-2 (p. 30); Grades 3-5 (p. 174); Grades 6-8 (p. 241); and Grades 9-12 (p. 391)
Curriculum Guide
The Black Studies as the Study of the World Curriculum Guide is a pedagogical document that contains a rich array of resources designed to support teachers in the preparation and implementation of the lessons. These pedagogical tools include:
- Integrated Learning Plans - build teachers’ Black studies content knowledge and aid with instructional planning;
- Teaching Black Studies Resource Directory - connects teachers with a robust list of Black studies learning sites in New York City, including museums, libraries, historical landmarks, and digital sites;
- Bridge to Literacy Book List - advances the goals of the NYC Reads initiative through reading lists that correspond with Black studies lessons;
- Curriculum Connections - supports topic alignment between Black studies lessons and other NYCPS curriculum resources such as Hidden Voices: The Global African Diaspora and Passport to Social Studies. and instructional tips for lesson plan implementation.
New York City Debuts Nation’s First K-12 Black Studies Curriculum (Source: Eyewitness News ABC7NY)
Professional Learning Programs & Guide
BERC has developed a series of virtual professional learning programs for teachers, school leaders and community educators to advance their understanding of the field of Black Studies, learn specific Black Studies Curriculum content, and experience multiple instructional models. Now in its second season, the BERC Virtual Learning Series has reached nearly 2,000 educators across all five boroughs of New York City and beyond.
Additionally, BERC created a Black Studies as the Study of the World: Professional Learning Guide to aid teachers and school leaders with the development of their own professional learning sessions. The Professional Learning Guide includes tools for educators to unpack the curriculum, to plan for implementation, and to build vital content and pedagogical knowledge for teaching Black studies.
View/Download the Professional Learning Guide
Summer Conference
BERC’s annual summer conference is a professional learning experience designed to support teachers and school leaders in the implementation of Black Studies as the Study of the World: A PK-12 Black Studies Curriculum for NYC Public Schools (www.weteachnyc.org). The conference program features keynote speakers, panel presentations with BERC curriculum specialists and NYCPS teachers, interactive curriculum innovation and learning stations, BERC Design Labs curriculum workshops, and more.
The 2nd Annual BERC Summer Conference will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025 at Teachers College, Columbia University.