ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Ann Arbor Public Schools are replacing history books based on, in part, an “Equity/Bias” rubrics system the district employs.
The district stated it selected three new history books on the basis of a variety of evaluations, such as material that is relevant to exams, availability of online resources and “organization and presentation.” Another criteria was “Equity/Bias” evaluation.
The previous history book used by the district was reviewed because it was written in 2009 and the College Board’s expectation was that students have text books no older than 10 years.
“The AP U.S. Government and Politics teachers at Huron High School and Skyline High School scored these books based on the rubrics for ‘Equity/Bias’ and ‘Organization and Presentation,’” a district memo stated. “The BFW [Bedford, Freeman & Worth] textbook was scored the highest among the reviewed resources for aggregated scores in both ‘Equity/Bias’ and ‘Organization and Presentation’ categories on the scoring rubric.”
The district also announced it received a $446,992 state grant, “specifically for the purchase of classroom and school library books that reflect updated learning, understanding, and presentation of Indigenous histories and narratives.”
The district memo says the new books demonstrated a more accurate portrayal of the Native American culture.
“Indigenous characters demonstrate the ability to achieve success on their own terms and in the context of their cultures or communities. They are successful problem solvers, independent of non-Native teachers, social workers, and other authority figures,” the memo stated. “Text and illustrations depicting race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, and/or class are free of stereotypes. Portrayals of gender are balanced and accurate. Women are accurately portrayed as essential, integral, and powerful members of their communities. Historic fiction/nonfiction portrays Native people as human beings and members of highly defined and complex societies.”